Have you ever wondered why people from different parts of the world have different skin colours? The answer lies not in race but in evolution. Modern humans (Homo sapiens) originated in Africa more than 200,000 years ago. Our early ancestors lived under the intense tropical sun, where ultraviolet (UV) radiation is strong throughout the year….

When I wrote about the Blue Economy earlier this year, little did I know that COP12 would be coming home. Tanzania is due to host the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Nairobi Convention in Dar es Salaam from October 5 to 9, 2026 in collaboration with the Nairobi Convention Secretariat under the…

Chest discomfort is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency medical care. While it may simply be heartburn, it could also be a heart attack—a life-threatening condition requiring immediate treatment. Because the symptoms can sometimes feel similar, knowing the difference could save a life. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid flowing back into…

We are all familiar with the ways in which unwelcome insects in our gardens destroy and disrupt our gardens. From the nibbles on delectable fruits and vegetables, to parasitising and affecting the health of our plants. Though is this true of all insects? Are all insects we come across in the garden a pest, enemy…

I recently called a taxi very early one morning in Mwanza. Curious, I asked the driver whether he normally worked through the night or had simply started early. He replied that many weekend customers were still leaving one of the city’s popular entertainment spots. I laughed that I would probably have been among them 20…

The other week, several friends of mine, mostly from my college and working days, could not believe that I was really spending most of my retirement at Chalowe, my ancestral village in Wanging’ombe District, Njombe Region. Their surprise followed last Saturday’s Palaver piece, in which I mentioned as much. It also arose from the fact…

The current chairperson of the International Foundation known as RYTHM (Raise Yourself to Help Mankind), Umayal Eswaran says: “Compassion, love, kindness, empathy and service aren’t just beautiful words. They are values without which a human is just an empty vessel.” Those are, indeed, very serious words. They cut right through into our very soul and…

After Gen Z mobile phones and weight lifting chat last week, I received positive emails enquiring about the big belly issue, specifically; “Kitambi. Vitambi,” plural, in KiSwahili. During the 1960s and 70s, ‘kitambi’ owned a millionaire’s badge. Most famous idioms used were “public opinion” (political leaders) and Bwana Mapesa (Mr Money). Across Africa, kitambi was…

Sauntering by the blue, shimmering lake,In a poetic muse,Thinking what to write next,The oceans of ink drip with stillness,An emptiness pervade,Serenading over my reflective head. Sitting atop a picturesque hillock,Searching for inspiration from the dewy greenery,Its iciness cooling the burnt embers of racing thoughts,Not a single word escapes,From the depths of my poetic case. Amidst…

The moon hangs low, the stars shine bright,A roaring sound cuts through the night.The jeep moves fast, the guide looks back,As lions prowl and stay on track. A zebra sprints, the dust flies high,A game of life beneath the sky.The chase is fierce, the claws extend,Will it escape, or meet its end? The jungle hums,…