Friday, June 26, 2015

THURSDAY TALK - June Event - Forging Lasting Partnerships - Private Sector & NGOs

Thursday Talk is a networking platform organized by Solution Blocks.  The talk aims to foster a culture of networking, sharing best practices and lessons learnt from Organisations, Institutions and Companies that are interested in seeing Social and Development change.
The networking platform will be a monthly event whereby a keynote speaker will address the topic of the month and thereafter, a discussion will follow through to allow more learning and sharing. Learning and sharing will continue during the informal cocktail right after the discussions.

 The first networking event took place on the 25th June 2015 and the Keynote speaker was Mr. Simon Shayo, Vice President, Sustainability for Anglo Gold Ashanti.  The topic discussed was - Forging Lasting Partnerships Private Sector & NGOs.

 The next Thursday Talk networking event will be held on Thursday, 30th July 2015.  
Key Note Speaker - Vice President , Sustainability - Anglo Gold Ashanti Mr. Simon Shayo
Facilitator and Organisers of Thursday Talk networking event - Ms. Msomisi Mbenna
Participants following the presentation
Participants following the presentation

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Invitation: Prize Giving Event for Essay Competition 2015

Dear friend and supporter of Shule Direct,

Back to School Essay Competition 2015, is an essay writing competition open to Form II-VI students in registereid seconadry schools in Tanzania organized by Shule Direct.  Essay writing enhances communication skills and critical thinking skills which are important attributes for efficiency. Through Back to School Essay competition, students are encouraged to address important and pertinent real-world topics by relating them to knowledge received in class.

Back to School Essay Competition 2015 posed a question requiring students address and suggest ways to develop Tanzania, were they given the opportunity to become the president of Tanzania for just one day. Students were required to use any one topic they learnt in class in the previous academic year to answer the question.

Over 400 students  from various Secondary schools in Tanzania submitted their entries. The entries were marked by a panel of independent volunteer judges and the top 25 winners for each category (Ordinary Level and Advanced Level categories) have been published on www.shuledirect.co.tz Shule Direct  will host two prize giving ceremonies to award the top 25 winners of Back to School Essay Competition 2015 O Level and A Level categories respectively.
Back to School Essay Competition 2015 was supported by Unit Trust of Tanzania (UTT) through Watoto Fund, Samsung Tanzania, Pearson Radar Education, Read International, Flaviana Matata Foundation, Bongo5 and Clouds Media.

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the ceremony to award the top 25 achievers in the O Level category. The event will take place on Wednesday 24th June 2015 at the Tanganyika National Library (Maktaba Kuu) on Bibi Titi Mohamed St. from 10.00AM. Students accompanied by their teachers, representatives of organizations in the education sector and the media will be present at the event. Dr. Ally Mcharazo, Director General of Tanzania Library Services will be the guest of honour.

 RSVP
Iku Lazaro
Communications Director
Shule Direct Tanzania
(+255) (0) 76 792 7927
www.shuledirect.co.tz
Learn. Revise. Discuss. Anywhere, Anytime

Friday, June 12, 2015

World Day Against Child Labour


The most recent global estimates suggest some 120 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour, with boys and girls in this age group almost equally affected.

 This persistence of child labour is rooted in poverty and lack of decent work for adults, lack of social protection, and a failure to ensure that all children are attending school through to the legal minimum age for admission to employment.

The World Day Against Child Labour this year will focus particularly on the importance of quality education as a key step in tackling child labour. It is very timely to do so, as in 2015 the international community will be reviewing reasons for the failure to reach development targets on education and will be setting new goals and strategies.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

At UN-backed forum, Africa's least developed countries pledge to transform their economies

















High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Gyan Chandra Acharya (right) and Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy.
Voicing determination to transform the structure of their economies and graduate from their status as some of the world's poorest nations, Ministers from the least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa at a United Nations-supported meeting in Milan have pledged to draw on their countries' great potential to boost growth and lock in sustainable development.
At a Ministerial Meeting co-organized by the Government of Italy and the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), high-level participants discussed ways in which inclusive economic growth can be accelerated, thus contributing to sustainable development.
Government representatives from 29 countries as well as experts, including from the United Nations system and other international organizations, think tanks and the private sector, stressed the key drivers of “graduation” from the LDC category. This included enhancing capacity to produce products and services, the importance of good governance, food security, access to modern energy and infrastructure development.
The meeting was held on the margins of the Expo Milano 2015, the universal exhibition that Italy is hosting from May to October 2015 on the theme Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life.
In a Ministerial declaration participants stressed that least developed countries (LDCs) must be prioritized in the upcoming Third International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and at the UN special summit in September on the post-2015 development agenda.
In the declaration, they underscored that it is essential that commitments to overseas development assistance are met, in addition to enhancing investment promotion, market access and access to technology. For development to be rapid and sustainable, they also stressed stronger national ownership and leadership.
“We must ensure sufficient resources to facilitate needed infrastructure development to foster resilient communities and empower poor and marginalized rural households for inclusive and sustainable development in the LDCs” said High Representative for Least Developed Countries, LLDCs and Small Island Developing States, Gyan Chandra Acharya.
“There is great potential in these countries,” he continued, stressing that transformation in LDCs will not only help eradicate poverty and hunger, but can ensure that they can be important contributors to food security and global peace and prosperity.
“There is a great global premium on sustainable development of LDCs. It promotes international peace, prosperity and order.”
Ministers highlighted the importance of graduation from the LDC category in line with the overarching goal of the 2011 Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for the LDCs, which calls for at least half of those countries to meet the criteria for graduation from the category by 2020.
The IPoA is an ambitious set of targets which is due to be reviewed at a mid-term meeting next year. It was emphasized that graduation from the LDC category is a major milestone, which should lead them back towards broad-based growth, human development and better resilience.
Least Developed Countries represent the poorest and weakest segment of the international community. They comprise more than 880 million people (about 12 per cent of world's population), but account for less than 2 per cent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) and about 1 per cent of global trade in goods.
The LDC category was officially established in 1971 by the UN General Assembly with a view to attracting special international support for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the UN family. Since then, only 4 countries have graduated from the category.
However, recent progress with respect to economic and social indicators in a number of countries around the world has enabled more LDCs to reach the thresholds for graduation.

Where are the women in battle to succeed Kikwete?


The number of CCM members who have so far joined the race to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete has reached 26, but women are largely missing from the scene, thanks to what some analysts have likened to the Darwinian theory of “the law of the jungle”.
So far, only two women have joined the race to State House within the ruling party, casting doubt on whether the dream of having a female president over five decades after independence was really achievable.
In a country where gender disparities in politics have been minimised in recent years, some analysts were hoping to see distinguished Tanzanian women from the academic and political arenas joining the race to State House. Of course, some argue that most women have been active in politics in recent years, not through a democratic electoral process, but just through special seats in Parliament.
Some analysts interviewed by The Citizen yesterday blamed what they termed “law of the jungle,” which govern liberal democracy and entrenched patriarchal systems, for barring potential women candidates from the election process.
This according to the analysts, push women to the periphery, effectively leaving competitive politics in the hands of males within and outside the ruling party.
Be it ward councilor, MP or president, politics has become a table of men where only a handful of wealthy and well-connected women can sit. The rest are not locked out altogether as they have one crucial role to play in the process: to vote.
The one-size-fits-all political space is evidently not fit for all. Ordinary working women, no matter how qualified they are academically and politically talented, and with straight As in integrity test, have little, if any chance of making it into the corridors of power.
For instance, out of 24 cadres who had sought nomination to vie for the Presidency through the ruling party CCM only two of them are women: Dr Mwele Malecela from Tanzania Mainland and Ms Amina Salum Ali from Zanzibar. This is happening at a time when affirmative action that created special seats for women in the National Assembly is being supported and criticized in equal measure. Wanawake na Katiba, a rights advocacy coalition of more than 60 organisations, including Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) and Tanzania Media Women’s Association (Tamwa), recently launched a push to ensure that after the October poll, of all the top three slots—President, Vice President and Prime Minister—one is a woman.
If that is the target, then the question is: where are women in the primaries? They are in the periphery, mostly by chance, according to pundits. Political Scientist Bashiru Ally of the University of Dar es Salaam believes that the nature of liberal democracy, the system that inherently favours the haves is a disadvantage to women as the playground becomes a place of the muscular—people with cash and class—most of whom happen to be men.
“The forces at play in this kind of politics naturally leave women in isolation,” he says. Based on merits, there are a lot of capable women but they do not believe in the system, they do not want to get involved in the survival of the fittest game, he said. Instead, those talented women choose to stay aside because of the dirtiness of the game.
Prof Gaudence Mpangala of Ruco says the culprit that should be fought the hardest, is the patriarchal system that has for centuries made both men and women feel that leadership is the birth right of men and women are there to be led. “For our democracy to pass as matured and inclusive, the mind of the nation must be cleared of the belief that women are lesser beings incapable of leadership,” he says:
“If that belief remains unshaken, good laws will be passed to put women in power but they will not get the respect they deserve and the confidence they need to undertake their duties as leaders.”
By Songa wa Songa The Citizen Reporter

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Africa – A land worth exploring

Africa Day 2015 is an opportunity to celebrate the development of the African continent as well as consider the various opportunities that it offers. This is according to Charles Brewer, Managing Director of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), who not only believes that the continent offers vast opportunities but also that it is one of the last frontiers for economic growth and development.

Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the founding of the Africa Union (AU), and acts as a reminder of the continent’s rich culture, diversity as well as its resilience and the various developing economies on the continent.

Brewer explains that as DHL Express has been present in Africa for 37 years, the company has witnessed the turnaround from the ‘forgotten continent’ to ‘Africa Rising’, which has been an amazing and insightful experience.

“Despite the recent prediction by the World Bank[1] that economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa will slow in 2015, the continent still remains relatively unexplored which indicates untapped opportunities in the region. We remain positive about Africa’s potential and believe that it’s time for the continent to focus on the opportunities, connect across the continent to leverage cross-border and global opportunities and grow as one.”

To meet the increased needs of the burgeoning middle class in the region, DHL Express has continued their aggressive expansion strategy in their efforts to make logistics more accessible. “With the rise of e-commerce, global markets are more attractive and accessible to individuals and local businesses, therefore we need to make sure that we are well positioned to cater to their needs. We currently have 3800 retail outlets across Sub Saharan Africa,” adds Brewer.

In the spirit of Africa Day, Brewer also points to one of the many projects conceptualized and implemented by DHL Express on the continent – DHL Africa as One - which highlights the company’s continuous commitment to investing in Africa. “As part of this epic journey, a team from DHL, the official logistics partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, is driving across Africa in three Land Rover Discoveries, while capturing every step of the journey, every person, every place and every pass on film, in photographs and words, and then sharing this content with Africa and the world. Part of the journey includes passing a single rugby ball from hand to hand through 45 African countries, over 11 months, from Cape Town and ending in London in September 2015.

We have passed the half way mark and the team is currently in Niger, en route to Chad. The tour is not just about rugby, but about showcasing Africa to the rest of the world and making an impact on the continent. In addition to the rugby clinics that take place as part of the journey, we are distributing over 500 000 units of stationery to young children and providing free eye tests for thousands of people, through our partnership with Mercy Ships.”

More than ever, global companies are now looking to expand into Africa and invest in its diverse markets and people. “DHL is committed to play a continued role in developing the continent through its investments and initiatives aimed at connecting Africa to the world,” concludes Brewer.

A picture of the outskirts of Tanzania.


- Ends -

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. DHL’s family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With more than 325,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, they connect people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including e-Commerce, technology, life science and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.


DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 56 billion euros in 2014.

Media Distribution by Abel & Fernandes

Launch of the first Solar Academy in Africa

As the second United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum (SE4A) paid tribute in its closing session to the progress generated by the Akon Lighting Africa initiative, its founders Akon, Thione Niang and Samba Bathily were already looking to the future and next steps. They have just announced the creation of a “Solar Academy” to develop skills and expertise in this field in Africa. This professional training center of excellence is a first on the continent and targets future African entrepreneurs, engineers and technicians. It will open its doors this summer in Bamako, Mali and welcome any Africans wanting to help develop the use of solar power.
This project is being introduced under the patronage of Solektra international, a partner of Akon Lighting Africa, in collaboration some European experts who will supply training equipment and programs.  It aims to reinforce expertise in every aspect of installing and maintaining solar-powered electric systems and micro-grids in particular, which are really taking off in rural Africa.  With its 320 days sunshine a year, the continent is perfectly suited to the development of solar power, particularly since 622 million Africans still do not have access to electricity.
“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities.  We now need to consolidate African expertise and that is our objective” explained Samba Bathily at the SE4All. “We are doing more than just investing in clean energy.  We are investing in human capital.  We can achieve great milestones and accelerate the African transformation process on condition that we start training a new generation of highly qualified African engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs now” he added.
With 70% of the population aged under 35, Africa is the continent with the youngest population today.  One of the biggest challenges it faces is training and creating sustainable employment.  “We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions. With this Academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further,”Thione Niang said.  Indeed, Akon Lighting Africa adopted a sustainable business model from the outset – providing training and creating jobs enabling local populations to embrace technical solutions and become self-sufficient.  The Solar Academy will help to extend this business model and promote inclusive growth throughout Africa.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Ambitious Cowbell CSR promotes Nutrition Practices in Tanzania

Hatua Jithamini is an edutainment TV program that highlights the challenges primary school children face in their quest for quality education and health in Tanzania. This TV show is sponsored by Promasidor Tanzania Ltd.

Promasidor is taking part in an ambitious nationwide CSR initiative called “HATUA – Jithamini,” a behavior change campaign, that is aired on TV1 Tanzania every Sunday at 5pm. The initiative aims to promote nutrition education across the country.

The program has now reached more than 60,000 children from different schools in Tanzania. More than 12 schools across Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mtwara, Iringa, Songea, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Arusha, Tabora, Lindi, Dodoma and Morogoro with primary-aged school children signed up and participated in this campaign. Promasidor’s Marketing Manager, Mr. Bertin Mushi, said it was great to see so many local schools in Tanzania enthusiastic and ready to participate in the edutainment program.

According to the Mr. Mushi, “Milk is packed with goodness for growing children such as: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, vitamins and zinc. Milk also supplies other essential nutrients for growing children, including protein for muscle growth and vitamins like riboflavin that release the energy from food.”

We asked Cowbell team a few questions about their involvement in this campaign.

Why is Cowbell doing this?
Nothing is more important than the health of our kids. We believe Cowbell Milk can make a lasting difference to kids’ health and we’re committed to getting Tanzania kids drinking more milk.

Is Cowbell Milk available to all schools, or just primary schools?
The programme is available to schools with students in class 1 – 6.  We know that children’s primary school years are the formative years of growth and development and we want to give every Tanzanian kid the best nutritional start.

 How long will it take to roll out nationwide?

This program has taken more than 6 months to roll out. This is a huge undertaking and we rolled out region by region – starting in Dar es Salaam and moving up the country over the following months.

Why have you opened the programme to schools from all deciles? Is there a need in high decile schools?
Milk is an important building block for good nutrition for all children. We want all Tanzanian primary-aged children to have access to dairy nutrition every school day at an affordable price.

What about children that are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy?
This is a voluntary programme for both schools and students. We’re providing schools and parents with information to decide whether their kids participate.

Does long-life milk have the same nutritional benefits as fresh milk?
Cowbell Milk contains the same levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and other minerals and fat-soluble vitamins as fresh milk. According to Dietary Guidelines it is recommended school children consume at least two to three servings every day of milk or dairy. Every pack contains at least 1/4 of the daily calcium requirements for children.

RECYCLING What about the waste?
Schools will be asked to empty and collect used packaging, which we will then collect from the schools and recycle.


Background Information

Promasidor is a multi-local that has its roots firmly established in Africa. They produce, distribute and market quality range of products in 31 countries across the continent. Their products are Cowbell Milk, Cowbell Sweet Milk, Onga Mchuzi Mix and Drink-o-Pop juice powder that is, Orange, Cola, Blackcurrant and Pineapple.