Susan Mashibe (@imashibe) on BBC World Service. “What does the world need now?” “#Africa could be the economy of the next century!”
#Tanzania: 50+ Years of Mining! A brief synopsis of Evans Rubara TEDxDar talk by @profesy
What killed Zinjanthropus? “Selfishness, Zinji wanted everything for himself and forgot others. This confused and messed him up at the same time” said theologian, activist and investigative journalist Evans Rubara.
He adds that after 50 years of passive patience what we are seeing now is a country unsure of what is theirs as they see diamonds and Tanzanite disappear and sold out there with no benefit to the people, what we are seeing is Tanzanians who have not been able to demand what is truly theirs.
The issue of the environmental and social impact from the mining sector is a delicate one. As a matter of fact it is still pretty unclear to most.
The second last speaker of the day could not have put it any clearer, and although his information was questionable to a few, it did shed some light on some pretty disturbing goings on in the mining sector.
Rubara painted a picture of unrestrained decadence in the mining sector, especially since the turn of the new century with the introduction of multinational takeovers of most mining activities by the “Big 3” companies AngloGold Ashanti, Resolute Mining and “giant’ Barrick Gold.
Prior to this Evans talked of a time when the British takeover from the German occupation of the mines in 1919 saw a mining legislation appear and geological surveys were established. In the 70’s and 80’s, the government took control but failed dismally at handling the job, so in the 90’s when private based development in the sector was introduced, Tanzania started to see the success from private sector based development.
The foreign “infesters”, he repeated during the evening presentation, have done less good and have not been as instrumental to the country as artisanal miners of yesteryear. In fact, he added, that if government officials in charge of the Mining and investment sectors were more concerned with the country, we would not be where we are right now.
He spoke of great acts against humanity and the rapid environmental degradation (he even presented images of some of the affected). 
And though officials have said it wasn’t so, Rubara cited examples of such acts happening in the Tigithe River area where poisonous sludge from the mine seeps through to the river and affects the locals who use the water.
Recent explorations and “new developments” through the emergence of Oil, Uranium and Gas are already under possible threat and could see a complete takeover the likes of those in the “non-tax paying” gold mines, Rubara noted.
Although some of the cases presented by Rubara were mentioned by the media in the past, a lot was a fresh reminder of how much we do not know and do not see living in urban centres that are not in close proximity to these mines. The details were at times hard to swallow that some of what he presented would seem chimerical.
Rubara’s presentation was in your face and the least bit subtle, (one member in the crowd even comparing him to a passionate preacher on the pulpit), with him leaving us to ponder with the riveting and inciting question -
“Whose responsibility is it, to ensure OUR Safety, OUR Prosperity & Protect OUR environment; and to never undermine future Generations’ welfare?”
by @profesy
Photo credit: The Globe and Mail
@jmakamba
January Makamba during TEDx Dar 2011
Read more here: http://mikochenireport.blogspot.com/2011/11/tedxdar-2011-msafiri-mzawose.html
VIA rosiahmarie:
“Talking about culture now: Msafiri Zawose is a musician from a family of musicians, at least a second generation performer himself. I am listening to his take on the history of culture in Tanzania, stating that under Nyerere culture was supported by the state. Especially traditional music. His father, Hukwe Zawose, was a world-reknowned musician who had many recordings, he was also one of the first musicians to teach traditional music at the Bagamoyo School of Arts. Hukwe Zawose passed away in 2003, but as part of his legacy he left behind 18 children- some of whom have followed in his footsteps.” source: http://mikochenireport.blogspot.com/2011/11/tedxdar-2011-msafiri-mzawose.html
Richard Mabala (TEDx Dar 2011)
“Nobody killed Zinjanthropus, he killed himself”
“…emphasized the lack of imagination and creativity in the current educational system and its impact on what our students are learning. Richard humored us by calling for a minute of silence for the death of imagination in Tanzania’s education system. Richard’s argument was that without imagination our students will only regurgitate information fed to them and will not be able to think laterally (or horizontally). One story he told was that when asked by parents how to emulate him, Einstein prescribed a heavy dose of fairy tales to be able to imagine new physics. Currently, Tanzanian students sit on floors in brand new buildings, without any books, with a static curriculum. Such are the priorities of the government. The statistics about English and Math literacy are also startling. So who killed the creativity of Zinjathropus, Richard asks? Zinjathropus killed himself by not accepting change.”
Text source: http://vijana.fm/2011/11/27/tedxdar-who-killed-zinjanthropus/
![rosiahmarie:
Taken during TEDx Dar 2011, the stage as it appeared that day…
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDx[name], where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDx[name] event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
This is the second TEDx Dar gathering which was a huge success and superbly organized!
Theme: Who Killed Zinjanthropus?
With Tanzania approaching its 50 years jubilee of independence, we are using Zinjanthropus – a fossil of early man discovered in Tanzania – as a metaphor for revered history and evolution as we attempt to navigate the clung-to and forsaken past as well as the future we appear to be striving for.
Sources: http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/1083
http://tedxdar.com/about/](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvh5knJ3Ow1qffgobo1_500.jpg)
Taken during TEDx Dar 2011, the stage as it appeared that day…
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDx[name], where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDx[name] event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
This is the second TEDx Dar gathering which was a huge success and superbly organized!
Theme: Who Killed Zinjanthropus?
With Tanzania approaching its 50 years jubilee of independence, we are using Zinjanthropus – a fossil of early man discovered in Tanzania – as a metaphor for revered history and evolution as we attempt to navigate the clung-to and forsaken past as well as the future we appear to be striving for.
Sources: http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/1083
Erasto Mpemba
I highly enjoyed his talk! Funny dude
Long story short, Erasto Mpemba is credited for the “Mpemba effect” a scientific discovery in 1963 by him where he observed that hot water freezes faster than cold water! read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect &
TEDxDAR: Erasto Mpemba
Roland Valkenborg
“You as energy consumers have killed Zinjanthropus” - Roland Valkenborg
First speaker TEDx Dar 2011
@imashibe
Susan Mashibe
she is a FAA certified commercial pilot and an aircraft maintenance engineer, the first female with both qualifications in Tanzania. Read more here & here
via rosiahmarie:
