Mubelwa Bandio: US-based radio owner championing accountability for Tanzania's youth

Through his media platform, he serves as a vital voice for the Tanzanian diaspora, sharing news from home and conducting interviews with Tanzanian leaders visiting the US.

Additionally, he has also collaborated extensively with more than 59 media outlets across East Africa, amplifying regional stories and perspectives.

Originally from Bukoba, he makes an annual journey home, where he frequently engages with young people, offering words of encouragement and discussing pathways for Tanzanian youth to build a brighter future.

Having lived in the US for over two decades, Mubelwa has experienced life in both countries and believes that Tanzania’s future depends on everyone taking accountability for their actions.

“Only one word can guide Tanzania into prosperity, and that word is accountability. We could even change the constitution to include accountability as the rule of law,” he insists.

Bandio explains what he has learnt about accountability in the US.

For example, he notes that even police officers treat suspects as their clients, wearing body cameras to ensure transparency and to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.

He recalls an incident when he was driving, unknowingly swerving on the road.

A police officer following him radioed the station, reporting a potential drunk driver.

When Bandio was stopped and tested, he was found not to be intoxicated but admitted to being exhausted.

The officer apologised and offered to escort him to a parking lot for a short rest.

Bandio observed that, despite being armed, the officer strictly followed procedure.

“That’s what accountability creates in a society,” he points out.

Bandio also remembers when President Obama had to campaign for his re-election.

Even as president, Obama couldn’t use Marine One, the official presidential helicopter, for campaign travel, as it was not an official duty.

The Democratic Party had to pay for his travel expenses and show proof that taxpayer money wasn’t used for political purposes.

While the US is by no means perfect, Bandio believes the system is structured for transparency and accountability.

Even in cases of racism, he knows how to hold perpetrators accountable, with confidence that they will face consequences.

He has observed that emotions rather than realism often influence the youth in Tanzania.

He explains that some influential young people publicly support politicians' ideas and decisions with emotional appeals, even when they know these actions are not in the country’s best interest.

These young people, popularly known as chawa, function as professional praise singers for politicians, celebrities, or wealthy individuals.

Their main role is to use their influence, especially on social media, to shower praise on anyone who pays them.

Bandio states that these chawa are never held accountable for their influence on the youth, even if their words prove detrimental.

In any accountable society, he adds, people would be held responsible for their statements and such words would come back to haunt them.

However, in Tanzania, politically charged, unfriendly, or indecent language often goes unchallenged, dismissed as “just politics.”

“Many young people have aligned themselves with a system they were supposed to change,” he said. The culture of praising politicians needs to end, but those who benefit financially from it resist change.

Bandio notes with disappointment that some young leaders, previously part of the diaspora, have returned to Tanzania only to immerse themselves in uchawa.

Despite their experiences abroad and their awareness of better practices, they have put personal gain above the common good.

“I know some of them have studied in America and Canada,” he said.

When the truth is ignored and we all resort to praise without constructive criticism, our country does not move forward.

He urges young people to question their political leaders and seek to know what they plan to do for them before they support them and for the young people who want to be politicians, they should do so with the sole purpose of serving the people. Uchawa and unquestionable loyalty to anything will not improve Tanzania. He gives the example of bongo flava music.

The genre has become stagnant and has not made global strides like Nigerian or South African music, as people praise wealthy musicians to earn a few bucks rather than starting an honest dialogue about improving the music.

“The music business has grown, but the quality has not. We don’t have our own sound, and you can’t tell me our music today is better than in Remmy Ongala’s time. That’s why we can’t compete on an international level,” he pointed out.

Similarly, he said that in football, we need to stop blindly supporting teams and instead ask hard questions about why our national team has not advanced internationally.

Even our sports commentators have largely remained local.

The number of Tanzanian commentators taken on by SuperSport (DSTV) has decreased compared to previous years.

Whenever Bandio returns to Tanzania, he takes the time to speak with secondary school students and has been invited to several radio and television stations to share his views.

He believes it’s essential to help young people envision their futures.

“With no destination, everywhere is the destination,” he said.

“We have to show young people that the system they live in can make their future possible.”

Bandio observes that Tanzania has more role models than mentors; while role models can inspire, mentors can guide.

For instance, if you aspire to be a journalist, Wolf Blitzer, the well-known American journalist and CNN anchor, could be your role model, while Charles Hilary, the former BBC anchor, could be your mentor.

“You can’t go to the US to ask Wolf for advice, but you could reach out to Mr Charles for guidance,” he explained.

“We should encourage young people to seek mentors in whatever field they are pursuing instead of idolising people who can’t help them advance,” he added.

“Someone might take Messi as their role model, but they could have Madaraka Seleman as a mentor if they truly want to pursue football professionally.”

Bandio advised young people to focus on finding accessible, positive mentors who have succeeded in fields they are interested in.

A successful man who has overcome many challenges, Mubelwa said he has an "OIGIR" approach for the youth: O for Observing the environment, I for identifying opportunities, G for Gathering necessary resources, I for Implementing activities, and R for the Reward you receive at the end.

He said there is never a failure in life, referring to Thomas Edison, the famous inventor who said; “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

He noted that challenges are inescapable when pursuing one’s goals, but to succeed, you must start and not be afraid to take that first step.

Bandio concluded with one of Nelson Mandela's most inspiring quotes: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”