New Year’s greetings from Tanzanians in the diaspora

As the world celebrates the start of the new calendar year 2023, Tanzanians in the diaspora send messages of goodwill to their fellow countrymen and women.

A new year opens doors for new opportunities, fresh beginnings and growth. The Tanzanian Diaspora Council sees a positive future ahead, and here we have insights from Tanzanians living abroad.

Seynab Haji

Uppsala, Sweden

On behalf of the Tanzanian Global Diaspora Council (TDC - Global) in which I serve as the financial secretary, I hereby send New Year goodwill message to Tanzanians spread all over the world. I also wish to use this medium to send special New Year wishes and appreciation to our government in Tanzania, under the able leadership of Her Excellency Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for the hard work they put in to ensure that Tanzania remains an icon of a peaceful and democratic state.

On our part as Diasporas, we are happy to say we have a close working relationship with the government, and are patiently waiting, among other things for the establishment of special status policy which will open more doors to help Tanzanians in the diaspora and their generations to contribute smoothly in developing our motherland. We have our hopes high that it will be worked upon by our government in the year 2023.

The year 2022 has been a tough one, as the whole world still faced harsh vestiges of the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak, as well as the socio-economic effects of the recent Russo-Ukrainian war. These things have greatly destabilised the global economy and social life, and many countries have been affected.

It is my great hope that the year 2023 becomes a good story to tell, for everyone and for our dear country Tanzania. It remains our commitment at Tanzania Global Diaspora Council, just as it was at our kick-off in 2018, to bring together Tanzanians living abroad and overseas and join our efforts to boost growth and development back home and to help our people.

Mungu ibariki Tanzania!

Prof Ernest Mudogo

Auckland, New Zealand

It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to wish all my fellow Tanzanians a happy New Year.  As we celebrate the New Year, it is important to reflect on where our nation has come from socio-economically and to continue striving to enhance socio-economic improvements for the benefit of all Tanzanians. In this context, it is noteworthy President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s enlightened and globally informed leadership has been unequivocal in acknowledging  the potential contributions Tanzania diaspora can make towards the socio-economic development of our motherland. Given that Tanzania diaspora live in different countries and continents, it is imperative to have effective diaspora engagement and coordination.

My experience in New Zealand and elsewhere suggests that continuous improvement at both the individual and organisational levels, including nation states, is essential for promoting socio-economic development. The importance of continuous improvement applies equally to Tanzania. The Tanzania diaspora, drawing on their varied experience and exposure, can share current research knowledge and practice, with our motherland, to promote continuous improvement in trade, foreign direct investment, business entrepreneurship and transfer of new knowledge and skills. The Chinese diaspora community helped a lot in making China a globally high- ranking nation in science. The Tanzanian diaspora can do similar.  Some examples of potential contributions below, to improve matters, are indicative.

Like Tanzania, agriculture and livestock are important to the New Zealand economy. Over the years New Zealand has used science and technology to improve agricultural and livestock productivity. For example, New Zealand’s dairy sector, with about 5 million cows, brings in about 19 billion New Zealand dollars to the national economy annually, equivalent to about Sh28 trillion.  While there are unique circumstances which may explain some of the differences in dairy productivity, there are knowledge-based soft factors that can be shared with relevant officers back home. The goal is to improve matters in dairy productivity in Tanzania by leveraging on current communications technology. Similar improvements can be made in trade. I buy cashew nuts from supermarkets in New Zealand which are known to be from Tanzania, but the cashew nuts arrive in New Zealand from other countries, notably from Vietnam. It should be possible for our farmers to be coordinated to derive more value by exporting to New Zealand directly.  At present middlemen from other countries take a cut and reduce returns to our farmers.  

In employment, there is demand for employees of all categories in New Zealand and other developed countries.  Again, effective diaspora engagement and coordination and leveraging on current technology can contribute to improvement in employment prospects, skills acquisition and socio-economic improvements of our brothers and sisters back home. If Chinese, Indians and increasingly Kenyans etc. can benefit from the global job markets and educational possibilities, why not more Tanzanians?  Let’s hope 2023 will make a difference towards the realization of government diaspora engagement by granting the long-awaited special status to the Tanzania diaspora.

Mungu ibariki Tanzania.

Sarah Pettersson

Oslo, Norway

I am Sarah Mwakisu Pettersson and I am an assistant nurse specialising in the care of the elderly and children with autism and epilepsy, living and working in Oslo, Norway. Norway is popular for its supply of oil, gas, and fish industries. Norway has a high demand for workers in the health sector, and there are numerous incentives in place to encourage young people to work in the sector, including rising pensions.

Living in Norway, I have observed that there is an emphasis on health and wellbeing and people are encouraged to go for regular medical check-ups, and also to be open with the respective needs of children who are not well. Back home we need more health-related education and awareness so that people no longer feel ashamed of being unwell or disabled.  Our disabled people deserve proper and dignified care, just like all other people.

The cost of living in Norway is high, and the war has contributed to it even rising further. It is possible to get work in Norway, but there is a lot of scrutiny to verify the educational or skill-level quality of applicants from other countries. This became more difficult due to numerous applicants in the past who had fake educational credentials. However, there are more opportunities for studies and research scholarships which Tanzanian youth can benefit from, some of which are fully-funded and free.

As a Tanzanian living abroad, I am proud of my roots, and I find great interest in creating a good learning environment for children. I am grateful I have been able to improve the infrastructure of Majengo Primary School, in Mbeya, specifically by building toilets and classrooms.

I wish my fellow Tanzanians a prosperous New Year. Let us keep working hard, one day we will achieve our dream. We are good enough and inferior to no one. The change we desire is a phenomenon that we must believe in before we can make it happen, and it requires collective effort. Our work toward change is an investment for generations to come.

‘Godt nyttår’ -‘Happy New Year’ - Tanzania

Walter Makundi

Singapore, Singapore.

My Name is Walter Makundi and I am trained as a Civil & Structural Engineer. I used to work for the Ministry of Works in Tanzania as an Assistant Executive Engineer until I relocated to Singapore in 1994. The country provides one of the world’s most business-friendly regulatory environments for local entrepreneurs and is ranked among the world’s most competitive economies.

In the decades after independence, Singapore rapidly developed from a low-income country to a high-income country. Amidst global economic headwinds, Singapore remains one of the world’s strongest economies. Anchored in political stability, low corruption rates, and transparent public institutions, they are a trusted partner for businesses. I will strongly encourage our national institutions to borrow a leaf from Singapore’s chapter of success.

As Diaspora in Singapore, we have learned a lot about good governance and technical know-how which is among the best in the world. Singapore is a mature market and an early adopter of new technologies and solutions and offers world-class ICT infrastructure and a vibrant ecosystem of technology partners. Singapore views ICT investments as a source of economic and social development and aims to be a Smart Nation. In our new year message, we would strongly recommend our government adopt some of the ICT technologies used in Singapore to track our development goals.

Lastly, on behalf of Tanzanian diasporas living in Singapore I would like to wish our fellow countrymen and women a happy and prosperous 2023 new ahead. Our dream one day is to have a country like Singapore, which when it was a developing country did not provide or receive development cooperation funding. Their support to fellow developing countries was in the form of capacity-building programs.

Joseph Katallah,

Edmonton, Canada.

My name is Joseph Katallah I am a Tanzanian diaspora in Canada. I would like to seize this opportunity to wish fellow Tanzanians a prosperous new year 2023. We are grateful to God for keeping us safe and sound. Mine is to encourage fellow citizens, both home and abroad to be good representatives of our dignified shared identity. Our economic and social emancipation largely depends on the collaboration we invest in as a people.

There are investment opportunities available between Canada and Tanzania, though a more friendly investment and tax policy on the part of Tanzania will be more encouraging and beneficial to Tanzania as a country.

Despite living abroad, I am a strong believer of the philosophy ‘Mtu Kwao’ and I encourage the government to create opportunities and channels for Diaspora’s skills and experiences to be useful and productive back at home. I wish everyone the best of good things as we begin the new year, 2023.

Khalphan Swalehe

Khartoum, Sudan.

My name is Khalphan Swalehe and I serve as chairperson of Tanzanian Diaspora Association in Khartoum Sudan. On behalf of fellow Tanzanians here, I send warmest wishes to everyone for the new year, 2023 back home in Tanzania and all over the world.

During this time we reflect on the strength of Diaspora communities, and their contribution to fabric of our nation under the strong leadership of Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Together as Diaspora, we hold our goals high, and in a comprehensive way, all in view of expanding access to opportunities for more people to study and to work, and later to serve, and to contribute to our nation.

I would like to encourage fellow Tanzanians to explore socio-economic and entrepreneurial opportunities in the Arab countries, especially in core fields such as agriculture production, mining, education, health etc. as they are flourishing and promising. I wish everyone happiness, prosperity and good health in this new year, 2023.

Mechack Ntaconzoba

Missouri, USA

I am Mechack Ntaconzoba and I serve as chairperson at Hope Print Organisation of Saint Louis, Missouri U.S.A. Hope Print is an organisation that resettles refugees from different countries, including the East African countries. Here we work hard to see that people are empowered to thrive, and collectively form a unified community rich in culture and connectedness.

I also engage myself with helping students from Tanzania and other different countries to pursue education here in the states through numerous funded options available here such as Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) as well as other scholarships.

As we approach the end of the year 2022, in shared goodwill with fellow Tanzanians who live in the United States, I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and fruitful new year 2023. May God bless our country

Neema Kitilya

Birmingham, United Kingdom

My name is Neema Kitilya and I have lived in the United Kingdom for over 25 years, as a student, as a parent, as a small-scale business entrepreneur, and above all as a good Diaspora citizen of my country,Tanzania. I am among the executive members of Tanzania Global Diaspora Council, and a secretary of a community of Tanzanian artists in the UK (WASATU- Wasanii wa Tanzania nchini Uingereza). The UK being a culturally diverse country has a lot of opportunities for people from all over the world. WASATU, alongside Oval (Our Voice, Art and Literature), and Purabhat are international groups which create awareness in art, literature, culture and the youth. With them, we have been able to tour the UK with cultural events in which we also advertise Tanzania. In December 2022, Purabhat our umbrella group, was awarded the Queen’s award for voluntary services. This is a great achievement. Together with that, our Tanzanian music, art, dance, tourist attractions and food have been widely appreciated in the programmes.

The past year has been really rough with a fair share of ups and downs, here in the UK and globally, yet these experiences make us who we are. I wish fellow Tanzania and the best in the new year 2023. Remember, opportunity does not knock at the door.

Happy new year 2023; Mungu Ibariki Tanzania

Caritas Mbwasi

Darwin, Australia

I am Caritas Mbwasi. I serve as a member in the Tanzania Global Diaspora Council. I would love to take this opportunity to send greetings to fellow Tanzanians all over the world and mostly to my country Tanzania under the government of our mother, President Samia S. Hassan.

I came to Australia to pursue further studies in 2013 in Sydney where I worked my way up to a Master’s degree in accounting. To be quite honest Australia has many opportunities that fellow Tanzanians can explore. For anyone that wants to give ‘abroad’ a try Australia is a nice place to study, work and live.

I wish everyone back home and all over the world a very happy and prosperous new year, with good health and happiness, love and unity.

Richard Mlay

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

‘Cariocas’ is the name of people living in the city of Rio de Janeiro, here in Brazil.

They are very nice, welcoming, social and affectionate people, mostly from other countries and this makes it easy to learn their language and culture.

Rio is the former capital city of Brazil; Brasília is the current Capital City. Rio is dotted with natural wonders and architectural gems, and is one of the most visited cities in Brazil and South America as a continent.

In a similar way as Tanzania is rich in tourism, Brazil has a whole lot as well. There are so many tourist attractions here: the Giant Statue called “Christ the Redeemer” Corcovado mountain (named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World), and beautiful beaches. Rio also hosts the Brazil Carnival which is a national display of Brazilian cultural music and dance. Cariocas love their culture and live.

I encourage Tanzanians after visiting our own places back home, to also visit other parts of the world; it will surely be an enjoyable learning experience. Here tourism is a well-organized and monetised industry and the country makes a fortune from it for its economy.

I wish fellow Tanzanians all over the world a prosperous new year, 2023.