Public Service is Like a Family Mourning Mat

 

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

For readers who are not from the coastal areas, let me first explain the meaning of the word tanga:

“A tanga is a type of large, strong cloth that does not tear easily, does not allow air to pass through, does not easily get damaged by fresh or salt water, and does not wear out quickly under strong sunlight. It does not rot easily. It catches wind and holds it well, enabling a water vessel to be propelled and travel from one place to another using only wind power, without any other energy source. Along the Tanzanian coast—especially in places like Mbagala, Kilindoni, Mikindani, Kisiju Pwani, and other Indian Ocean coastal areas—there are several types of durable materials used to make sails, including thick cotton (traditionally used for dhow sails), polyester, and even nylon fabrics.”

In these same coastal communities, whenever there is a major family event, people gather together to discuss and resolve it—whether it is a wedding or a funeral—with the whole community participating fully. Many African funerals are treated as a communal affair (tanga la wote). After burial, when people disperse, there is something called tanga ndugu (the family mourning gathering).

This reflects Swahili culture, drawing from the same concept of a dhow sail (tanga la jahazi). During mourning, relatives sit together on a strong cloth—whether a mat, a woven spread, or even an old worn-out sail that is no longer suitable for use on a boat (so as not to risk accidents at sea). These old sails are instead used as mats during mourning gatherings.

 

Such worn-out tanga are often sold cheaply in markets and used as carpets, bedding, or for drying crops and grains.

Dear reader, this is where the concepts of tanga jamaa (extended family gathering) and tanga ndugu (close family gathering) come from.

Please remember this:

“You will never see a new tanga being used at a funeral. The cloth used is always worn and patched. This is because a new tanga is expensive—Swahili poverty is often a matter of choice or perception. This cloth is made of strong cotton for special uses like dhow sails, and its price is high—by 2026, one meter can cost up to six US dollars. That is why the Swahili say: ‘The comfort of a mat (jamvi/tanga) lies in its patches.’”

Now, let us go together to a mourning setting:

“In the tanga jamaa, all major matters are discussed and decided. After burial and once everything is completed, the tanga ndugu is then held.”

Now, let us leave that setting and go to the Office of the President—Public Service Management and Good Governance in Tanzania. Let me tell you a story:

“There was a time when the President appointed an individual, who was sworn in and began performing his duties well. At some point, there were recommendations for members of a board under him. The names went through several stages and eventually reached the leader, who instructed his office clerk to type them for final processing before announcement.

When the clerk reviewed the list, she noticed a problem. She took the file back to her boss and said:

 ‘Boss, I’m sorry. There is something I’d like to tell you, but please don’t misunderstand me—I mean to build, not to destroy.’

The boss allowed her to speak. She said: ‘Among these names is your wife’s name. This is a mistake in Public Service. It could raise concerns and permanently damage your reputation, making your good work go unnoticed. Please ask those who made the recommendations to suggest another name and remove this one.’

The boss immediately accepted the advice, wrote a note instructing that the name be removed, and asked for a replacement. The clerk returned the file, and new recommendations were made.”

I believe you understand the example clearly.

 

What is the message today?

Public service in Tanzania is increasingly affected by nepotism—from ministerial to parliamentary levels—where even multiple members of the same family may hold positions. This is a dangerous warning sign. Meanwhile, young people are struggling to find employment, traveling long distances for interviews, being asked irrelevant questions, and still not getting jobs.

Let us have shame and conscience. Society is crying over unemployment while some families accumulate many positions. This is a serious mistake. Is Public Service becoming like tanga ndugu—reserved for relatives?

Look at Julius Nyerere. His wife, Maria Nyerere, came from an ordinary Tanzanian family in Komuge, Rorya District (formerly Tarime). Nyerere lived on his presidential salary like any other citizen. Let us learn from this.

 

Nyerere once said while resolving conflict between Rwanda and Burundi:

“For poor nations, public service and leadership positions are opportunities for the whole society. If you concentrate them among a few people, you deny the majority these opportunities—and that is a major source of conflict in Africa.”

Mwanakwetu wishes that the Permanent Secretary, Juma Seleiman Mkomi, would act like that clerk who courageously gave honest advice.

That clerk was not fired for her integrity and continues to serve in public service, expected to retire safely in 2033.

“You are not given leadership to create opportunities for yourself and your relatives, but to create opportunities for the whole society.”

Leaders may be protected, but unemployed youth in the streets are our children—they may act unpredictably out of frustration. Silence on this issue must end so that this ‘disease’ can be treated. And when we are judged, we will say:

“I wrote and spoke, but they did not listen.”

Remember:

“Public Service is like a family mourning mat.”

Have a good day.

makwadeladius@gmail.com

0717649257