“Tanzanian children have many games, and one of them is called Kombolela. The way this game is played involves a group of children, which may be many depending on the area—whether a street, a hamlet, or a village. They have a ball or a tin can that is placed to be kicked away (knocked far off) by a player who manages to do so. At a given time, one child is assigned to the den to guard the ball/can while searching for the others who are hiding nearby. The child guarding the can/ball is not supposed to just sit and guard it; he or she must actively search for the others in their hiding places. The children call this guard MSAFAJI.
If, while this child is guarding the can/ball, no other child manages to kick it away, then the first child who is spotted becomes the next one to remain in the den with the can and becomes the MSAFAJI.
The child guarding the can/ball says “Kombolela” followed by the name of the person spotted—Kombolela Jose, Kombolela Mariam, Kombolela Hamisi, Kombolela Upendo, Kombolela Adeladius. Problems arise when there are children with similar names, for example JOSEFU—then you will hear Kombolela Jose Mkubwa (Big Jose), Kombolela Jose Mdogo (Young Jose), Kombolela Jose Mrefu (Tall Jose), or Kombolela Jose Mfupi (Short Jose).
This is because the one guarding the ball/can must correctly identify the child by name clearly and accurately, without mistakes or stuttering. Any lack of clarity or stuttering gives an opportunity for the can/ball to be kicked away, thereby freeing all those who had already been named in the game.
Clever children, like Mwanakwetu, used to smear themselves with ash or wear masks while playing Kombolela in order to confuse the one guarding the den. This game carries many meanings and benefits for children, including building the ability to recognize the names of fellow children in the group, memorizing names without error, fostering brotherhood, engaging in health-beneficial exercise, and even developing patience.”
Why has Mwanakwetu remembered the Kombolela game today, which he played many years ago?
Currently, Tanzanian politics are being played like the game of Kombolela, where Joseph Warioba is like the player who hid and is searching for the can/ball to kick it away so as to free us, while all our other players have already been named by the one searching around the ball, including Joseph Butiku.
For a long time, Joseph Butiku has been coming forward saying this and that, but Mwanakwetu believes that Joseph Butiku cannot help anything in kicking that ball, because the entire group playing this game has no confidence in him. Although the presence of two Josephs—Warioba and Butiku—is not a good thing, it could have helped confuse the one guarding the ball. However, at present, there is no hope among Tanzanians in Joseph Butiku; instead, he brings us stuttering.
Tanzanians are waiting for Joseph Warioba, who is the one remaining to free us and the one who still holds the people’s trust. Joseph Butiku cannot free us, because he himself needs mercy to be freed—how then can he help us? The arguments raised against the Mzee Butiku are many, including his wavering conduct, questionable behavior, including issues surrounding the disappearance of former Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba, brother Humphrey Polepole, as well as his earlier conduct in public service, where many incidents are recounted.
Mwanakwetu received this account from one stakeholder:
“My late father worked closely with Joseph Butiku, Joseph Warioba, and even the current Vice Chairman of CCM Taifa (Mainland) for 2025/2026 and 2027, Steven Wasira. But until his death, my late father did not view Butiku and Wasira positively, nor did he speak well of them, referring to them as major obstacles to several projects that were intended to improve the lives of Tanzanians since the time of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.”
From this article, Mwanakwetu can say that the name Joseph Warioba is the only name capable of kicking the ball in our political Kombolela game in Tanzania.
Secondly, Mwanakwetu believes it would be wise for Mzee Butiku’s family itself, in order to avoid future conflicts and challenges, to speak with their Mzee and ask him to step aside and stop issuing the frequent statements he keeps making. At present, he is no longer trusted and is being burdened with heavy blame which, at his age, is destroying both him and his lineage.
Furthermore, Mwanakwetu believes that the Vice Chairman of CCM Taifa, Mzee Steven Wasira, must recognize that CCM is not a family endowment party and not a party for one individual; it is a party entrusted to lead the Tanzanian public. Any kind of trickery is inappropriate, and that is why these things are being said openly. This is a party of all members. If there are flaws among the current leaders, they must first be spoken out and corrected immediately. Joseph Butiku should stop bringing us stuttering, and it is indeed shameful for an adult to walk around with their trouser zipper open.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“The Politics of Tanzania as Played Like the Kombolela Game.”.”
I wish you a good day.
makwadeladius@gmail.com
0717649257
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