MKEKA: Off Duty treasure finds #MustardSeedCafe #TEDxIlala

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It goes I’ve taken a leaf from this quote "When I learn something, when I know something, when I find something; I always want to share it because life is better when you share it." – Oprah Winfrey.

TEDxIlala

The organizing team with Sophie Lafayette
their head (sitting on the sign plank
at the end of the event

Recently I was invited by a close friend to come witness another friend, give a speech at a TEDx event. So despite being tied up that day, I manage to show my face with no intention of covering the event for the public. However when I arrived at TEDxIlala talks at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, on the 5th of Sept, I knew I had to share.

As I walk in the hotel, I'm wary I'll see my friend on stage, what with my very late arrival. Cemented by bumping into Rachel Kessy and Ian Mwaisunga at the lobby. Who outright laughed when I told them, I was on my way to the TEDxIlala event. “Alaa yani umewahi kweli, sisi tulikuwa upande wa burudani na ndo hivi, unaona tunaondoka.”-Ian.

At the TEDxIlala launch talks event,
the board with participants
'must reads'

Ian and Rachel are strong names in the contemporary dance scene of Tanzania. So I knew I missed some sort of performance with elongated limbs, gorgeous toned dark chocolate to mocha hued skin, no biggie will catch them come Visa2Dance.

When I'm finally inside yes I'm very late, still that itch to post, to observe, to report got the better of me anyway. Not because I heard a fair share of the speeches by the speakers at the event. In effect I only witnessed two talks one from Prof Hans Rosling; on a projector screen as he was speaking to an audience in another TED event.

As well the last live act 'Sammy Awami and Daniel Hayduk' who presented on citizen journalism in TZ. Their talk was full of their own experiences as Journalists in the country. I took this from it ‘...before you rush to ask questions click photos, take the time to say hello. Acknowledge you’re entering someone’s space to which you’re a stranger...’

This was an independent event hence the 'x' next to 'TED'. Where TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Which began 30 years ago in California, USA with two annual conferences; that invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. With many of the talks made available for free at TED.com

From left Speakers Tulanana Bohela
(the friend who I came to see), Doreen Kessy
and taking the photo is
Ngasuma Kanyekwa (the close friend who invited me)

So with this event TEDxIlala a debut, the guidelines were set by TED but as Sophie Lafayette (head of the organizing team) reiterates in her thank you note. All members of the organizing team for this event volunteered for free.With sponsors like Twaweza, Hugo Dominingo, HDIF, Smart-let’s talk, Nabaki Africa, TLR, AIMGROUP and others. The event achieved an ambitious launch.

It was the accompanying paraphernalia for the event, that twerked my itch to share. I learned prior to the speeches, sufficient time was set for networking among all participants.

So on almost everyone's chest was a card. Highlighting what they'd like to talk about, learn more of, whilst chit chatting. Cool right, imagine walking up to a person and just tagging their id card on the chest before deciding to venture a '.hello'. It must have been a great ice breaker.

The theme 'Yes in my lifetime' gets a vote
from another participant at the launch event of TEDxIlala

Another paraphernalia was the interactive black boards.There was one which highlighted the theme of the event ‘Yes in my lifetime’. Here audiences were invited to pick up cards printed with the slogan, prompting them to finish the rest of that sentence. Another blackboard invited audiences to write in chalk their favored books. Another had passport sizes of the speakers on top in columns. Where underneath each photo were bullet points of their speech, inviting additions from audiences.

TPH bookstore had their stall present inviting us to buy books, Paul Nduguru had his elephant ‘Peke’ who was giving awareness on the plight of our elephants in the country. The best paraphernalia in my opinion is the tedxilala.com website. Which you can still visit to get more information on this event. Soon there will be videos of the speeches presented (I’m hoping this article serves as a reminder to the organizers). So we can all see the 18 minutes or less speeches on Urban Planning in Dar, Owning your space in Social media, Fun learning for kids and much more, that was presented on this forum.

The new Mustard Seed Cafe at
SOMA-readership & learning agency
in DSM

Mustard Seed Café

Several weeks after the event above; I'm working on my desk and boom, Tanesco decides to do their thing. Soon after due to the looming deadline of my column (Single in the City-Citizen Newspaper every Saturday). I’m chased out of my home office. Venturing to Soma Book Café & lo behold I’m greeted with a makeover. For those who haven’t been to this vicinity lately, which is situated in Regent Estate (somabookcafe.com) Dar es Salaam.

SOMA has a whole new look, as now overseeing their café is Mustard Seed. Owned by sisters Jane and Josephine Tesha. As a décor aficionado (previous columnist with Sweet Home-Citizen Newspaper 2010-2014). I am very impressed with what they’ve done with the place.

The Café is breathing with new life and having tasted the tamarind juice, I totally recommend a visit particularly if you’re running away from Tanesco blues. You see they’re close to one of the permanent homes of our dear President Dr Jakaya M. Kikwete; so miraculously power cuts in this side of town are rare. As well the trees (which are fast disappearing in this city) are in good supply here.

Mustard Seed Cafe-the mustard colored
Tyre under sunset light...

Also if you believe in the power of reading be sure to pop by on the 9th October'15. As the initiative by Soma ‘Andika na Soma-Short Story Competition for Secondary Schools’. Will be in full swing in its semi final stages, here the finalists will be selected. With fun literary events for all participants.