· October, 2010

Stories about Tanzania from October, 2010

Tanzania: Vote, don't wage war

  30 October 2010

“Today is the last day of campaigning before Tanzania and Zanzibar go to the polls to elect a new Government. Elections in Zanzibar are extremely close-fought events, though you wouldn’t guess it to look at the results over the last forty years. The ruling party, CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, The...

Tanzania: God Bless Tanzania

  30 October 2010

God bless Tanzanians as they vote tomorrow: “Tomorrow is an important day for Tanzanians. It's the day to exercise their democratic right in the 2010 General Election. I would have loved to have been there in the run up as I know it has been quite different to the campaigning...

Tanzania: 2010 General Elections Roundup

  29 October 2010

Tanzanians will go to the polls on 31 October 2010 to elect the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives. This is a roundup of blog posts written by Tanzanian and non-Tanzanian bloggers about the elections.

Tanzania: Government threatens press before election

  28 October 2010

Tanzanian government threatens press before election: “As the October 31 national elections draw near, Tanzania's media is in a frenzy trying to cover the close race between the two leading presidential candidates. But government threats and draconian media laws may be getting in the way of objective coverage.”

Tanzania: Vote Like You Own Your Country

  28 October 2010

Elsie looks at election related news and events a few days before Tanzanians go to the polls: ” Now, to the serious business: we've got our citizen reporting work cut out for us, folks. I told you already that Vijana FM are running an election monitoring online tool based on...

Tanzania: Bloggers Analyse Tanzania 2010 Election Campaigns

  27 October 2010

On 31 October 2010, more than 19.6 million Tanzanians will make an important decision for the future of their country. They will take part in the forth parliamentary and presidential elections since the introduction of multiparty politics. With only a few days left before the polls, Tanzanian blogosphere is following closely election campaigns conducted by various political parties.

Tanzania: Where To Get Tanzania Election News

  25 October 2010

Where to find Tanzania election news online: “A few weeks ago we told you we started TZelect, an Ushahidi-based platform that aims to collect and discuss reports from East African youth about election events. Recently we were contacted by a few organizations who have put together a similar platform, Uchaguzi...

Tanzania: Mobile Phone in Zanzibar Elections

  25 October 2010

The Zanzibar Electoral Commission is going to run a service whereby, on the days running up to the election, people can find out exactly where the polling station they have been allocated to is, though the service costs TSh 300 (approximately 2 cents – which means that this service could...

Tanzania: The Opposition Can Win Presidential Election

  25 October 2010

Chambi Chachage thinks that the opposition can win the presidential election in Tanzania: “It is quite clear that Dr. Wilbrod Slaa’s decision to run as a presidential candidate has tilted the balance of power. Now the debate is no longer about whether the ruling party’s candidate will get a landslide...

Tanzania: Be Part of a National Election Monitoring Exercise

  21 October 2010

Ben asks Tanzanians to be part of a national election monitoring exercise: “Ushahidi comes to Tanzania! It comes in the form of uchaguzi.or.tz, implemented by TACCEO, a group of 16 Tanzanian civil society organizations that have partnered for election monitoring, with assistance from Hivos.”

Tanzania: Running for Office While Combining Kangas With Social Media

  19 October 2010

Danish blogger Pernille Bærendtsen looks at the use of traditional elements and social media in Tanzania election campaigns focusing on Zitto Kabwe, the parliamentary candidate for Kigoma North. Her post is titled "Running for Office (While Combining Kangas and Social Media). Kanga is a piece of printed cotton fabric worn by women and occasionally by men throughout Eastern Africa.

Tanzania: The Legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere

  16 October 2010

Elsie reflects on the legacy of Tanzania's first president Mwalimu Nyerere: “Speaking of legacy, Mwalimu would never turn down a presidential debate. Quite the opposite: he would relish the opportunity to crush his opposition with his nimble wit and oratory skills…”

Africa: African elite rulers, quacks and bulimia

  9 October 2010

“African elite rulers, quacks and bulimia” by Tanzanian blogger Nkwazi Mhango: “Like Mugabe, Kikwete is currently using public funds to run his campaigns in order to remain in power. His chief campaigners are none but his wife Salma and his son Ridhiwani.”

Africa: Make Your Own Baobab Juice

  8 October 2010

Miriam shares her recipe for making baobab juice: “Baobab (bay-oh-bab) a very healthy fruit found in almost all countries of Africa, is just starting to gain popularity in the western world.”

Tanzania: CCM and Political Debates

  8 October 2010

Shurufu analyses Tanzania's ruling party (CCM) refusal to take part in political debates before 2010 General Elections: “One of the most difficult things to do during political campaigns is to, first, establish a clear and coherent narrative about your agenda and second, to go out there and consistently articulate that...

Tanzania: NGOs and the media in Tanzania

  7 October 2010

Peter discusses the relationship between Non-Governmental Organisations and the media in Tanzania: “NGOs are increasingly working out how to deal with the media: at the crude end wondering what the market rate for a brown envelope is, to more sophisticated relationships with editors and writers.”

Tanzania: The Use of Social Media in 2010 Tanzania General Election

  4 October 2010

Tanzania will go to the polls on October 30, 2010 and as election campaigns heat up, we are looking at the use new media tools by election candidates. Along with campaign rallies, which target the majority of the population, a small number of politicians have started to use social media tools such as blogs, online videos, Facebook and twitter to create deeper engagement with voters.