Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala
“When we were young in our home area of Mbagala, there was a very famous bar at the time known as KWETU BAA. It was located in Mbagala Kipati, along the road heading toward Mangaya. If you came from the house where the KIPATI grain milling machine used to be, you would cross Mangaya Road—where there is now a roundabout—then pass the house of ALLY NISI, the mixed-race man of Mafia Island origin. The next house had a carpenter, and the one after that was KWETU BAA.
In those days, it was an extremely popular bar in Mbagala—comparable, at the time, to EQUTA GRILL. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, especially from afternoon until evening, there would be various performance groups: traditional dance troupes, children’s disco competitions, acrobatics, comedy, and drama performances. Groups such as Muungano Cultural Troupe and even DDC Kibisa Ngoma Troupe, which belonged to the Dar es Salaam City Council, would perform in turns. Artists such as Hadija Kopa, Nasma Khamis, Dr. Remmy Ongala of Super Matimila, and Afriso Ngoma also performed there.
When it reached around 7:00 p.m., the artistic shows would be set aside, children would be sent out, and then full music sessions—whether dance music or taarab—would ignite the atmosphere.
These performances were not free; there was an entrance fee. Some families who had an income gave their children money to attend and watch the shows, including snake performances and disco competitions. In those days there were the famous ‘Kibisa snakes’—the DDC Kibisa Ngoma snakes—handled much like the Sukuma people do.
As for me, I was never once given money at home to go watch these performances. By God’s truth, I do not remember even a single time. Yet I would always stand outside the venue while my friends who had been given money were inside. When it was time to leave, they would find me outside and we would walk home together, our bodies covered in dust.
Those who had been inside would begin narrating what had happened: ‘That guy was incredible—he put the python’s head in his mouth! He swallowed it all the way, even with fire!’
By the time we reached home, everyone knew what had happened—both those who went inside and those of us who remained outside. Even though we were blocked by the concrete walls, the sound could still be heard. Sometimes the one who went inside might not even be a good storyteller, while the one who remained outside became an even better narrator of the events. In the end, we all shared in what had happened.”
Why does Mwanakwetu remember KWETU BAA today?
Two young university graduates were talking. The young woman said,
“After I finish university, I will enter politics. That man comes from my village, and we share the same religion. I am greatly inspired by his principles—I will follow in his footsteps and try politics.”
Indeed, she joined politics and quickly gained trust, participating in major party meetings. Her star shone brightly, and there was heated debate about whether she should contest for a constituency seat or wait for a special nomination seat.
“She should travel across the country to help increase votes for the presidential candidate, rather than contest for a constituency.”
Party leaders said.
When election year arrived—remember she was in the opposition party—preparations intensified. Senior party leaders secretly agreed with the ruling party that the latter would provide financial assistance so the opposition could at least field candidates. The ruling party said,
“The money is ready—come and collect it. It will be cash; we cannot send it to any bank account to avoid suspicion.”
The opposition leaders calculated:
“Since the election is near, if we ourselves go to the ruling party headquarters—whether by day or night—people will see us. That will cause problems. Let us send lesser-known members along with one leader who is not famous to collect the money. We prominent ones will remain in the office to receive it.”
They did exactly that. Among those selected was the young university graduate whose star was rising. They went to the ruling party headquarters, were handed boxes of cash by the Assistant to the Chairperson, thanked him, and returned safely with the money.
The opposition leader thanked them for completing the task without raising suspicion. Each participant was given a share of the money and promised positions after the election.
But after the task was completed, the young woman’s conscience began troubling her. She asked herself:
“How can I speak as an opposition member, yet just the other day I was sent to collect money from the ruling party? Do I even have sense? What kind of Muslim will I be? On Judgment Day, what will I say before God?”
She went to her very poor father, the tailor, and gave him three-quarters of the money she had received. She gave the remaining quarter to her mother. She told them to add it to their small business capital. She did not keep even a single cent for herself.
Then she said to her parents:
“Father, I will no longer engage in politics. What happens there is falsehood; there is no justice at all. I will stay home and look for a job.”
Her parents did not believe her; they assumed she had been troubled by men in politics. But that was not the reason.
She completely withdrew from politics. The opposition party searched for her—even coming to her home—but she hid herself and changed her phone number, wearing a full covering to conceal her face.
Later, by God’s grace, the government announced job openings. She applied, qualified due to her competence and fluency in both Swahili and English, and was employed in the civil service.
One day at work, she saw on television the opposition politician she had once admired. She pointed at the screen and said:
“May Almighty God save us from the hypocrisy of this world—there is nothing there.”
Her colleagues were shocked, since that politician was highly trusted. She then narrated the entire story—from university graduation, to entering opposition politics, to leaving it, and finally gaining government employment.
What is Mwanakwetu saying today?
Remember the children of Mbagala going to watch DDC Kibisa Ngoma performances at KWETU BAA. Some entered inside; others remained outside like Mwanakwetu. Yet when they came out, they reunited and shared everything that had happened. They were from the same neighborhood, the same community. Even if some were poor and lacked entrance fees, those who entered did so on behalf of the whole community. They had to share what had happened. The inside and the outside became one story.
The walls of KWETU BAA were made of concrete blocks, but concrete walls cannot stop sound from rising into the air, nor can they prevent young people from sharing what happened after the show.
In this article, the opposition leader feared going personally to collect the box of money, believing that by sending others he would remain safe. But that is not so.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“May Almighty God save us from the hypocrisy of this world—there is nothing there.”
This article is especially popular with Mwanakwetu’s friend, Bruce Amani, a DW Kiswahili broadcaster of Kenyan origin.
I wish you a good day.
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