Mtanzania "Innocent Galinoma" anavyotesa ughaibuni

I'm sitting at Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue and Victoria Street sipping a hot cup of coffee. I know it's summer, it's really humid, but my nerves are on a roll and need calming. I'm early for an interview with Innocent Galinoma, a reggae artist based in Minnesota, but originally from Tanzania. The coffee helps me relax as the minutes tick away. I go through my questions for the tenth time and revisit in my mind, the songs I know by Innocent. Before long, I'm sitting face to face with the artist himself. Two things immediately stand out: one, I gave him the wrong directions, however, he still made it, and the second, his long dreadlocks are no more. He's cool about it all and seems very comfortable with the new look. We chat for a few minutes before getting into the interview.



Innocent begun his music career in Tanzania where he sang in the Church choir with his mother and two brothers. He recalls when a famous choir master attended his Church, St. Immaculate Church in Upanga, Dar es Salaam, and recognized his music talent in front of the congregation. This, he says, is one of many moments he is proud of and also marks the moment when he realized he could really sing. When he was in high school, innocent begun playing the guitar and listening to different styles of music. On occasion, he and a few of his friends got the opportunity to perform at wedding receptions before the main band performed.



It was not until he listened to Bob Marley, that Innocent's love for reggae music materialized. In the early eighties, Innocent moved to the United States to attend college and pursue his love for music. While studying Computer Science, Innocent confesses that his mind was rarely attentive enough, as his interest lay in music. After a short three years in the United States, he decided to move back to Tanzania and concentrate on his music career.



Back home, Innocent joined a band, Mionzi - which means sunray - and toured with the band for two years in Tanzania. During the band performances, Innocent played different roles; a drummer, a bass player and singer. Though he enjoyed singing, Innocent does mention that it was somewhat difficult because he didn't always get to perform the songs he wrote. Besides that, the experience with the band for those years he says was wonderful.



As the interview progresses, Innocent who is quite humorous, accompanies most of his answers with anecdotes. While on tour with the band and traveling by train to Kigoma, near Gombe Innocent remembers a violent downpour that broke the railway tracks apart. Unfortunately, the carriage he and the band were riding in was separated from that which had their musical instruments. Though stranded, Innocent got to meet Jane Goodall, the famous "ape lady" who lived in Tanzania then, before finally getting their equipment back, three months after the accident.



After a few years home, Innocent once again moved to the United States, this time focusing solely on his music. He lived in New York for a while before a friend living in Minnesota invited him to visit. In a matter of a week, Innocent decided to permanently move to Minnesota which turned out to be a good call on his part.



He joined Les Exodus, a reggae band that performed across America. Les Exodus released a CD titled Kilimanjaro before part of the members decided to go separate ways. Despite this, Innocent’s musical talent didn't fall short as it won him the Minnesota Music Award for best male vocalist for World Music. This stands out as another proud moment in his career and he lets me know that the award is back in Tanzania at his fathers' house, well polished and appreciated.



Of his music, Innocent says his favorite songs are always the ones he is currently working on. Though he gets a lot of requests on particular songs - Kilimanjaro, Mama I’m coming home, Sote ni Ndugu - he personally enjoys working on new music.
Having listened to his music which is soulful and heartfelt, Innocent affirms that his message, which has mainly been a better life for Africa, has not changed over the years, it's only grown stronger. This message is clear throughout his other CDs that include Greetings from Africa, Full moon and Shine Africa.



Recently he performed in Duluth at the Bayfront Reggae Festival with artists such as Sister Carol, Third World and Gizzae. Throughout the years, Innocent has been opening for artists like Burning Spear, Lucky Dube, Freddie McGregor and Sugar Minott, who has been a major influence in the reggae music scene.



He has also worked on projects that highlight issues going on in Africa. A few years ago he collaborated with Red Cross for a fund raiser to help aid the situation in Rwanda, and a few months back, he was involved in a concert to aid Darfur. His future prospects include concerts in Africa on AIDS awareness, similar to the Wrap It Up campaign in America. He also has CDs in the works, one in Swahili and the other in English which he hopes to release soon.



On Friday nights, Innocent performs at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis and continues to have performances in different States in America.



It's always interesting to meet an artist because you never know what you get. We idolize them, long to know this life that they live and be a part of it. But with Innocent Galinoma, it's not the glamour or the fame. It's the fulfillment of a dream through music and having a purpose in it all. He's funny, interesting but importantly particular about his music, his words, his message and the way he delivers it.

Ujumbe "Maalyuuum" toka kwa Afande Sele

“Hivi sasa kila mtu anajidai anaijua Bongo Fleva kuliko hata wajuzi na wazoefu wa game hili, Bongo Flava inakua upande wa uimbaji lakini marapa wapya hakuna anayeishika jamii. Wengi wana mashairi dhaifu sana na idea ni za kitoto.

“Wengi wanabebwa na ma-Dj wenye maslahi nao. Kuna Ma-Dj wanawaumiza makusudi wakongwe hata kazi zao za ukweli wanazibana wakidhani wanaua wakongwe kumbe wanaliua game zima. Wanakata nguzo kuu ambazo ni mashairi na ujumbe bora toka kwa wakongwe ambao wanatambua haki zao.

“Walionyonywa ni wengi, wanaharakati wa ukweli! Sasa jamii inapaswa kuamka na kudai kile cha ukweli na si kuamini kila wanachokisema ma-Dj walioanza kazi juzi wakati game imetolewa mbali tena kwa machozi, jasho na damu.

“Watu wanapaswa kujua kwamba Watanzania ni walewale na si wajinga kama baadhi ya Ma-Dj na watangazaji wanavyofikiri kuwa kila wanachotaka wao basi Wabongo wataamini. Leo hii kuna artists wanapewa promo kila siku kwa kulazimisha lakini bado ukija huku mtaani watu bado hawawajui kwakuwa mchango wao katika game haufanani na sifa wanzopewa.

“Shabiki wa Afande, Prof. Jay, Daz Nundaz ndiyo huyo huyo atakayemkubali na artist mpya anayetoka vyema katika game, sasa kama kutoka kwa wasanii wapya dhaifu ndiyo kunasababisha kuwaua wakongwe wa ukweli, basi mashabiki hawatoendelea kuamini game na matokeo yake hadhi ya muziki inashuka.

Habari hii inaendele..ingia hapa ili kumalizia msg hii iliyotumwa na Afande Sele a.k.a Baba Tunda.

Sakata la Wambura na Simba na TFF

Na John Bukuku
Michael Richard Wambura, aliyekuwa mgombea uenyekiti wa klabu ya Simba akizungumza na waandishi wa habari leo kwenye ukumbi wa Idara ya Habari Malelezo juu ya kufungua kesi katika mahakama mbili Mahakama kuu na mahakama ya Kisutu kuhusu kukatwa jina lake kuwa mgombea wa nafasi hio.

Amesema Katiba ya Simba imekiukwa kwani Simba ilitakiwa kuunda kamati ya Rufaa ambayo ndiyo ingekuwa na mamlaka ya kushughulikia matatizo ya Simba juu ya uchaguzi.

Amesema kamati hiyo pamoja na kamati ya Uchaguzi iliyopo sasa zilitakiwa kupewa baraka ama kuthibitishwa na kamati ya utendaji ya Simba kitu ambacho hakijafanyika hivyo hata kamati ya uchaguzi ya Simba ya sasa ni Batili kwa mujibu wa katiba ya Simba.

Wambura amesema wamefungua kesi mbili katika Mahakama Kuu na Mahakama ya Kisutu ili kutafuta haki.

Anasema kwa kutolea mfano wa hukumu moja iliyowahi kutolewa na Jaji Bubeshi wa mahakama kuu ya mwaka 1996 iliyokuwa ikimkabili Muhidin Ndolanga na Baraza la Michezo.

Akinukuu moja ya kifungu katika hukumu hiyo Wambura anasema "kifungu hicho kilieleza kwamba kama unanyang'anywa haki usingoje muda upite itafute hata mahakamani kwa kipengele hicho, anasema mahakama imemruhusu kutafuta haki yake huko, lakini pia anasema kwa kuwa katiba ya Simba inatambua Katiba ya Jamhuri ya muungano wa Tanzania hivyo imeruhusu mwanachama yeyote kwenda mahakamani kudai haki yake".

Ameongeza kwamba ameliarifu Shirikisho la Soka Afrika CAF na Shirikisho la Soka la Dunia FIFA kuwa kuna mgogoro katika klabu ya Simba na TFF hivyo amekwenda mahakamani kudai haki yake. Pia, amewalaumu TFF kwa kuingilia kanuni za tararibu za katiba ya klabu hiyo na kwamba shirikisho hilo halikupaswa kuwa na kipengele cha pingamizi kukatwa kwenye Kamati ya Uchaguzi.

Alisema walipokiangalia kipengele hicho walipaswa kuwarudishia Simba ili wakirekebishe, lakini wao waliamua kuwafunga mdomo watu kwa kutokiondoa kipengele hicho.

Wakati huo huo, hakimu wa mahakama ya Ilala, Janeth Kinyage, ameitaka kamati ya utendaji ya klabu hiyo kukutana na kutafuta wakili baada ya mawakili watatu waliowekwa na watu tofauti kudai kila mmoja kuwa yeye ndiye mwenye mamlaka ya kuitetea kamati hiyo dhidi mwanachama Juma Mtemi kutaka uchaguzi usifanyike.

Hakimu huyo alichukua hatua hiyo baada ya kamati ya utendaji ya Simba kuendelea kujichanganya kuhusu wakili ambaye anaitetea kamati hiyo ikitaka uchaguzi uendelee.

Alisema awali alipokea barua ya mawakili kutoka kampuni mbili kwa makundi mawili ambayo ni ya uongozi ambaye alipewa barua na katibu mkuu wa Simba, Mwina Kaduguda, ambaye ni wakili Majura Magafu na mwingine kutoka kwa wajumbe wa kamati ya utendaji wakiwakilishwa na wakili Peter Swai.

Alisema kuwa tangu aanze kazi ya kusikiliza kesi mbalimbali hajawahi kukutana na kesi kama hiyo ambayo ina mawakili watatu na kila mmoja hataki kushirikiana na mwenzake na kila mmoja kudai kuwa yeye ndiye mwenye mamlaka ya kusikiliza na kuitetea kamati hiyo ya utendaji.

Hivyo, Kinyage aliitaka kamati hiyo ikutane na kukubaliana ni wakili yupi asimame na kuitetea kamati hiyo na wawasilishe kwanza mwakilishi huyo .

Alieleza kuwa bila kufanyika hilo atamsimamisha kizimbani mwenyekiti wa Simba (Hassan Dalali) mwenyewe bila mwakilishi kwa kuwa haki yao ya msingi ya kutetewa watakuwa wameipoteza,

Jambo lingine ambalo lilizuka mahakamani ni baada ya wakili wa Juma Mtemi ambaye amefungua kesi hiyo, Mh. Jerome Msemwa, kuikana barua iliyowakilishwa mahakamani hapo ya kufuta kesi.

Alisema kuwa barua hiyo haijaandikwa na mteja wake, hivyo kuitaka mahakama ichukue hatua kwa wale wote waliohusika na kughushi barua hiyo ikiwemo saini ya mteja wake.

Na John Bukuku
Michael Richard Wambura, aliyekuwa mgombea uenyekiti wa klabu ya Simba akizungumza na waandishi wa habari leo kwenye ukumbi wa Idara ya Habari Malelezo juu ya kufungua kesi katika mahakama mbili Mahakama kuu na mahakama ya Kisutu kuhusu kukatwa jina lake kuwa mgombea wa nafasi hio.

Amesema Katiba ya Simba imekiukwa kwani Simba ilitakiwa kuunda kamati ya Rufaa ambayo ndiyo ingekuwa na mamlaka ya kushughulikia matatizo ya Simba juu ya uchaguzi.

Amesema kamati hiyo pamoja na kamati ya Uchaguzi iliyopo sasa zilitakiwa kupewa baraka ama kuthibitishwa na kamati ya utendaji ya Simba kitu ambacho hakijafanyika hivyo hata kamati ya uchaguzi ya Simba ya sasa ni Batili kwa mujibu wa katiba ya Simba.

Wambura amesema wamefungua kesi mbili katika Mahakama Kuu na Mahakama ya Kisutu ili kutafuta haki.

Anasema kwa kutolea mfano wa hukumu moja iliyowahi kutolewa na Jaji Bubeshi wa mahakama kuu ya mwaka 1996 iliyokuwa ikimkabili Muhidin Ndolanga na Baraza la Michezo.

Akinukuu moja ya kifungu katika hukumu hiyo Wambura anasema "kifungu hicho kilieleza kwamba kama unanyang'anywa haki usingoje muda upite itafute hata mahakamani kwa kipengele hicho, anasema mahakama imemruhusu kutafuta haki yake huko, lakini pia anasema kwa kuwa katiba ya Simba inatambua Katiba ya Jamhuri ya muungano wa Tanzania hivyo imeruhusu mwanachama yeyote kwenda mahakamani kudai haki yake".

Ameongeza kwamba ameliarifu Shirikisho la Soka Afrika CAF na Shirikisho la Soka la Dunia FIFA kuwa kuna mgogoro katika klabu ya Simba na TFF hivyo amekwenda mahakamani kudai haki yake. Pia, amewalaumu TFF kwa kuingilia kanuni za tararibu za katiba ya klabu hiyo na kwamba shirikisho hilo halikupaswa kuwa na kipengele cha pingamizi kukatwa kwenye Kamati ya Uchaguzi.

Alisema walipokiangalia kipengele hicho walipaswa kuwarudishia Simba ili wakirekebishe, lakini wao waliamua kuwafunga mdomo watu kwa kutokiondoa kipengele hicho.

Wakati huo huo, hakimu wa mahakama ya Ilala, Janeth Kinyage, ameitaka kamati ya utendaji ya klabu hiyo kukutana na kutafuta wakili baada ya mawakili watatu waliowekwa na watu tofauti kudai kila mmoja kuwa yeye ndiye mwenye mamlaka ya kuitetea kamati hiyo dhidi mwanachama Juma Mtemi kutaka uchaguzi usifanyike.

Hakimu huyo alichukua hatua hiyo baada ya kamati ya utendaji ya Simba kuendelea kujichanganya kuhusu wakili ambaye anaitetea kamati hiyo ikitaka uchaguzi uendelee.

Alisema awali alipokea barua ya mawakili kutoka kampuni mbili kwa makundi mawili ambayo ni ya uongozi ambaye alipewa barua na katibu mkuu wa Simba, Mwina Kaduguda, ambaye ni wakili Majura Magafu na mwingine kutoka kwa wajumbe wa kamati ya utendaji wakiwakilishwa na wakili Peter Swai.

Alisema kuwa tangu aanze kazi ya kusikiliza kesi mbalimbali hajawahi kukutana na kesi kama hiyo ambayo ina mawakili watatu na kila mmoja hataki kushirikiana na mwenzake na kila mmoja kudai kuwa yeye ndiye mwenye mamlaka ya kusikiliza na kuitetea kamati hiyo ya utendaji.

Hivyo, Kinyage aliitaka kamati hiyo ikutane na kukubaliana ni wakili yupi asimame na kuitetea kamati hiyo na wawasilishe kwanza mwakilishi huyo .

Alieleza kuwa bila kufanyika hilo atamsimamisha kizimbani mwenyekiti wa Simba (Hassan Dalali) mwenyewe bila mwakilishi kwa kuwa haki yao ya msingi ya kutetewa watakuwa wameipoteza,

Jambo lingine ambalo lilizuka mahakamani ni baada ya wakili wa Juma Mtemi ambaye amefungua kesi hiyo, Mh. Jerome Msemwa, kuikana barua iliyowakilishwa mahakamani hapo ya kufuta kesi.

Alisema kuwa barua hiyo haijaandikwa na mteja wake, hivyo kuitaka mahakama ichukue hatua kwa wale wote waliohusika na kughushi barua hiyo ikiwemo saini ya mteja wake.

Na John Bukuku
Michael Richard Wambura, aliyekuwa mgombea uenyekiti wa klabu ya Simba akizungumza na waandishi wa habari leo kwenye ukumbi wa Idara ya Habari Malelezo juu ya kufungua kesi katika mahakama mbili Mahakama kuu na mahakama ya Kisutu kuhusu kukatwa jina lake kuwa mgombea wa nafasi hio.

Amesema Katiba ya Simba imekiukwa kwani Simba ilitakiwa kuunda kamati ya Rufaa ambayo ndiyo ingekuwa na mamlaka ya kushughulikia matatizo ya Simba juu ya uchaguzi.

Amesema kamati hiyo pamoja na kamati ya Uchaguzi iliyopo sasa zilitakiwa kupewa baraka ama kuthibitishwa na kamati ya utendaji ya Simba kitu ambacho hakijafanyika hivyo hata kamati ya uchaguzi ya Simba ya sasa ni Batili kwa mujibu wa katiba ya Simba.

Wambura amesema wamefungua kesi mbili katika Mahakama Kuu na Mahakama ya Kisutu ili kutafuta haki.

Anasema kwa kutolea mfano wa hukumu moja iliyowahi kutolewa na Jaji Bubeshi wa mahakama kuu ya mwaka 1996 iliyokuwa ikimkabili Muhidin Ndolanga na Baraza la Michezo.

Akinukuu moja ya kifungu katika hukumu hiyo Wambura anasema "kifungu hicho kilieleza kwamba kama unanyang'anywa haki usingoje muda upite itafute hata mahakamani kwa kipengele hicho, anasema mahakama imemruhusu kutafuta haki yake huko, lakini pia anasema kwa kuwa katiba ya Simba inatambua Katiba ya Jamhuri ya muungano wa Tanzania hivyo imeruhusu mwanachama yeyote kwenda mahakamani kudai haki yake".

Ameongeza kwamba ameliarifu Shirikisho la Soka Afrika CAF na Shirikisho la Soka la Dunia FIFA kuwa kuna mgogoro katika klabu ya Simba na TFF hivyo amekwenda mahakamani kudai haki yake. Pia, amewalaumu TFF kwa kuingilia kanuni za tararibu za katiba ya klabu hiyo na kwamba shirikisho hilo halikupaswa kuwa na kipengele cha pingamizi kukatwa kwenye Kamati ya Uchaguzi.

Alisema walipokiangalia kipengele hicho walipaswa kuwarudishia Simba ili wakirekebishe, lakini wao waliamua kuwafunga mdomo watu kwa kutokiondoa kipengele hicho.

Wakati huo huo, hakimu wa mahakama ya Ilala, Janeth Kinyage, ameitaka kamati ya utendaji ya klabu hiyo kukutana na kutafuta wakili baada ya mawakili watatu waliowekwa na watu tofauti kudai kila mmoja kuwa yeye ndiye mwenye mamlaka ya kuitetea kamati hiyo dhidi mwanachama Juma Mtemi kutaka uchaguzi usifanyike.

Hakimu huyo alichukua hatua hiyo baada ya kamati ya utendaji ya Simba kuendelea kujichanganya kuhusu wakili ambaye anaitetea kamati hiyo ikitaka uchaguzi uendelee.

Alisema awali alipokea barua ya mawakili kutoka kampuni mbili kwa makundi mawili ambayo ni ya uongozi ambaye alipewa barua na katibu mkuu wa Simba, Mwina Kaduguda, ambaye ni wakili Majura Magafu na mwingine kutoka kwa wajumbe wa kamati ya utendaji wakiwakilishwa na wakili Peter Swai.

Alisema kuwa tangu aanze kazi ya kusikiliza kesi mbalimbali hajawahi kukutana na kesi kama hiyo ambayo ina mawakili watatu na kila mmoja hataki kushirikiana na mwenzake na kila mmoja kudai kuwa yeye ndiye mwenye mamlaka ya kusikiliza na kuitetea kamati hiyo ya utendaji.

Hivyo, Kinyage aliitaka kamati hiyo ikutane na kukubaliana ni wakili yupi asimame na kuitetea kamati hiyo na wawasilishe kwanza mwakilishi huyo .

Alieleza kuwa bila kufanyika hilo atamsimamisha kizimbani mwenyekiti wa Simba (Hassan Dalali) mwenyewe bila mwakilishi kwa kuwa haki yao ya msingi ya kutetewa watakuwa wameipoteza,

Jambo lingine ambalo lilizuka mahakamani ni baada ya wakili wa Juma Mtemi ambaye amefungua kesi hiyo, Mh. Jerome Msemwa, kuikana barua iliyowakilishwa mahakamani hapo ya kufuta kesi.

Alisema kuwa barua hiyo haijaandikwa na mteja wake, hivyo kuitaka mahakama ichukue hatua kwa wale wote waliohusika na kughushi barua hiyo ikiwemo saini ya mteja wake.