THE AZANIA–TAMBAZA CONFLICT XIX

 

Adeladius Makwega – Arusha

My dear reader, today I would like to go through my basket of questions and comments, as it is nearly full, containing a great many of both.

The first to take the lead among these questions is Mr. Jumanne Mwasamba, who has informed me that he comes from Mpanda in Katavi Region.

My brother Jumanne first wished me well during the holy month of Ramadan. I sincerely thank him for his kind wishes at the time this article was first being prepared.

Since I recognize that my readers were observing the holy month of Ramadan when this article was first published, I offered the following verse of poetry as a gift for that period:

Alhamdulillah, I give thanks and praise to the Most Holy,

All day long we remember Him abundantly without measure,

May He save us from the enemy, the devil,

Ramadan has arrived—O Lord, forgive our sins.

Mr. Mwasamba asks: Was Tambaza a boys-only school?

 

In response to his question, I would like to say that indeed, the school was originally for boys only. Even during our time as students, the school environment was designed to provide education exclusively for boys.

There are two things that confirm this. First is the school’s original name, H.H. Aga Khan Boys, which is inscribed on the foundation stone located at the front of the school, facing the International School of Tanganyika.

Second is the design of the school’s toilets, located at the end of the first and second corridors. At that time, they served boys only. Girls’ toilets were built later; initially, the girls used the facilities designated for female teachers and staff.

However, later on, girls began to enroll at the school at the A-Level stage. We cared very much for these young women, and they studied comfortably while looking elegant in their uniforms—short-sleeved white shirts and grey skirts with a light blue badge on the chest.

I do not recall ever witnessing any misconduct against them. In 1991, there was one particular young lady who stood out for her elegance in uniform. We gave her a nickname based on her charm, but for now I will withhold both that nickname and her real name until I obtain her permission.

My second batch of questions and comments comes from Mr. Joshua Grei, who completed his studies at Azania Secondary School in 1989. First, he commends these writings.

He recalls that the first major unrest—before the incidents that led to Tambaza Secondary School being closed and some students being transferred—occurred in 1989 when he was in Form Four at Azania.

The conflict began between Azania and Tambaza after about two weeks of tension, accompanied by the chant “TUJE TUJE” (“Come, come”), shouted whenever Tambaza students passed near Azania while coming from the Fire area on their way to catch transport home.

 

This chant provoked Azania students, especially Form Five students from the Lake Zone, who felt they were being mistreated by Tambaza. Even the student patron at Azania at the time, the late Mzee Major, once said:

“You are not real men like your counterparts at Tambaza; if you get beaten this time, I will sew skirts for you and call you AZAJANGWA.”

This statement boosted the confidence of Azania students.

 

There were inter-school competitions held at the Don Bosco grounds, owned by the Catholic Church, where Azania and Tambaza reached the finals.

In that final, held at Azania’s field, notable players included Rodric John of Tambaza and Robert Mwampebwa of Azania, who is now a journalist in Kenya. Also present was the late Hamisi Said, who had played for the national team.

The unrest began when Azania scored the first goal through Hamisi Said. This raised the morale of Azania students and angered Tambaza students, who had vowed to win and even planned to invade Azania’s kitchen if they succeeded.

The situation grew tense at the field, with Tambaza students issuing threats to the referee while Azania was leading by one goal.

As time ran out, the referee awarded a controversial penalty to Tambaza, which Rodric John converted to equalize the match. The score became 1–1.

After that, chaos erupted. Tambaza students celebrated wildly, throwing stones and other objects, and Azania students retaliated using bamboo sticks.

Eventually, Tambaza students scattered into two groups—one toward the Muhimbili fence and the other toward the Jangwani side. The clashes continued through Fire, Kariakoo, and Uhuru School areas.

The police were forced to intervene; some students were arrested and taken to Msimbazi Police Station, while others received treatment at Muhimbili Hospital.

For today, my dear reader, I will end here. I put down my pen and wish you a good day.

Remember, this is Part Nineteen of The Azania–Tambaza Conflict.

Have a good day.

Email: makwadeladius@gmail.com
Phone: 0717 649 257