Expert in Long Passes

 Adeladius Makwega MBAGALA

On this day, Mwanakwetu was in Sirari, in Tarime District, Mara Region, where there was a community development activity. Unfortunately, during this meeting, the Mwanakwetu team could not get food. The team included one Information Officer (who is Mwanakwetu), a driver known as Chilongani, and three journalists.

Therefore, starting the return journey to Musoma was difficult. It was then decided that they should go eat at a certain restaurant. At that time, it was 6:30 in the evening.

Earlier that day, their journalism work had begun at the Butiama University of Agricultural Science and Technology, where the Mara Regional Commissioner, Colonel Evans Mtambi, was inspecting the construction of the institution to see whether it would be ready to receive first-year students for the 2025/2026 academic year.

So throughout the whole day, the Mwanakwetu team had not eaten anything. After finishing the inspection, the journey to Sirari began, and they arrived safely.

Dear reader, remember that the Sirari event had already finished, and now they were eating at the restaurant. Everyone had chosen their own table and sat slightly aside where the music was not too loud so they could talk on the phone.

Suddenly, Mwanakwetu was greeted by a tall, slender young man wearing sports clothes.

“Good evening, brother! You have come all the way to our place in Sirari! You are very welcome. Your problem, Mwanakwetu, is that you don’t drink alcohol. Let me pay for your food and one box of juice so it matches the price of the three beers I am drinking.”

This young man in sports clothes ordered alcohol for himself and his friend, and while drinking he kept throwing remarks toward Mwanakwetu:

“Your second problem, Mwanakwetu, lies in your profession. You are a good player, but you like making long passes — you are skilled at German-style long passes. You cannot make short passes.”

People nearby laughed, thinking that Mwanakwetu usually does not eat lunch. The young man continued:

“We once came to you and asked: you wrote very well about the University of Dodoma, so why don’t you write about these people here? What happens in Dodoma and here is the same thing — exactly the same. When exam time comes, we collect money and give it to the lecturer, then we are given the exam. If you don’t contribute, you’re finished. Unless you help the lecturer mark exams or assist with his work.

Do you remember when I came to ask you for 25,000 shillings? It wasn’t because I had no food money — it was to complete our exam arrangements.”

The man was talking while people around them were eating.

“I hear that one of your students from Ndolela, Pawaga, and Lilinga never showed his exams to students. When his exam day arrived, the situation was tense. The chairman of the technical committee sat down and said: ‘What should we do?’”

While this was going on, a restaurant worker came to collect the payment, but Mwanakwetu was told that his bill had already been paid.

The drunken man continued speaking:

“So we agreed to collect money and give it to the exam custodian through a classmate who was acting as an intermediary. The exam was leaked.

We did it, but your student knew the exam had leaked. Later, those shameless guys turned around and accused your student of leaking the exam — when in fact they were the ones who leaked it themselves.”

The man spoke with great confidence, as if he really knew Mwanakwetu.

After finishing several beers, he stood up and left. Mwanakwetu and his group of journalists also entered their car and began the journey back to Musoma town.

What does Mwanakwetu say today?

After leaving the restaurant, Mwanakwetu had many questions. He could not remember this man, yet he has taught many students who are now lecturers, teachers, judges, magistrates, prosecutors, doctors, drivers, clerks, farmers, and livestock keepers.

Until now, Mwanakwetu still does not know: was that really his student?

Mwanakwetu congratulates that student of his — the one who does not reveal exams to his students — yet deep in his heart he still longs to know who that student really is.

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:

“The Expert in Long Passes.”

Have a good day.

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