Mario Epanya's Winkler Magazine...

I love Mario Epanya's work to bits! And now so we can enjoy his work some more, he has come up with an Online Magazine called Winkler Dedicated to African women... I am not only inlove but obsessed with this online Read!

Winkler is a beauty magazine dedicated to black women worldwide. It’s about the evolution of Black beauty in the media and my goal is to be among the high fashion and beauty editorials recognized worldwide like Glamour, Elle or Allure .
If you havent gone through it go to  Winkler
or have a peak below

Open publication - Free publishing - More africa

 Read His Interview Below

Any chance we might see your magazine in stores worldwide?

Hopefully! Working on that. First, I want to see the evolution of the magazine online, to see how the community and women receive it and if the subscribers and readers ask for a print version in a few months or years ,then we’ll make a print version .

Why are you considering moving to SA?

Well I got a few people working in the fashion industry ,models and photographers who told me that South Africa is more open minded to Black publications and that it won’t be much of a struggle to source investment for the magazine .The fashion and beauty industry is growing and South Africa will become, in a few years, a fashion city capital just Milan, London or Paris and it’s time to have some contacts over there .

Will that not affect your business or magazine?

Hopefully not. For issue 2, Innocent Ndlovu, a South African journalist collaborated with me and wrote two articles for Winkler. He is an adventure I know ,but I made the same adventure ten years ago when I decided to move to Paris.

What have you heard about South Africa?

A lot of nice stuff about the fashion industry. Professionalism, multi-cultural and a chance to get more jobs in the SA beauty industry. But I also heard about protectionism. I read in some blogs that the South African government doesn’t give a lot of work permits to foreigners and weird things about the police behaviour to foreigners, but sometimes it’s better to experience yourself.

Why are you tired of Paris?

Don’t get me Wrong , I ADORE Paris ,it’s such a beautiful place to live, my life is here and there’s also a lot of creativity here . A Llot of people may not understand my reaction but as a Parisian , it’s sad to say but the fashion industry here is very conservative and not open to new talents and multiculturalism is a “forbidden word. The Parisian fashion industry, I’m afraid that in a few years Paris will be out of fashion because they are not” sensible to the evolution of the world “.

Source:Juicy Africa

iMag's Bhoke Exclusive interview

 Bhoke sure caused some ruckus over at homeland..its like eeerrbody wont let it go, here is her interview  i-magazine with  Sporah Njau...She talked about the whole Big brother Experience and her in-house love interest in Ernest.. Im starting to get addicted to these iMag interviews!

Big Brother is not a series that you say "action" and people begin to act, it's your everyday life it's more like we bring the cameras to your house so after a while you forget the cameras and just live as you would in your own house

The Big brother experience

Once you got into the Big Brother house could you be yourself? Did you find yourself acting or were we seeing the real Bhoke? 

BE: I tried to be myself as much as I could, it is a different environment  so you have to adjust to some things and be flexible but acting NOOO, you can try to the first couple of days but sooner or later the real you will come out!

So, when you were on the plane ready to go to be part of the show, what were you thinking? What was on your mind?
BE: There were so many things on my mind at the time like how will the experience be, what kind of people will I meet, how will my friends take it because most of them didn't know I was going to be on the show. I was very  excited to be chosen!

 Her In-House Love interest in Ernest from Uganda

Of course the questions that are on many people's lips concern a particular guy from Uganda..... when did you first see there was an attraction with Ernest? 

BE: The first time I met him was in Johannesburg I was there for the Big Brother interview and so was he but we did not tell eachother that.  We went out and had a great time when we returned to our countries we kept in touch still, we would call  and text  eachother all the time. 

There are some things that we don't see especially us outside of Africa watching via Youtube and blogs, what was so special about Ernest that made the relationship move so fast?

 

BE: Our relationship did not move fast, like I said me and him met way before and just clicked and being in the same house just made us even closer. 

Another thing I guess is the culture. Here in the UK celebrities make money from their naughty antics on Big Brother.  In Africa it's more conservative. What do you plan to do to erase those antics from people's minds when they think of Bhoke?

 

BE: I think when you meet me you'll see that I'm totally the opposite of what people think I am. You can't change people's minds if they don't want to, it's their prerogative to think whichever way they want about anything.... this experience has taught me a lot.  I know who are my real friends and who are not ....I'm not going to let that phase me and make me lose my focus I think that would be a crime to myself. 
Have you been in touch with Ernest since coming out of the house?  Any plan to go to Uganda? 

BE: Yes we are in touch, he's very supportive and very worried about me and about everything that's going on. I would like to get to know him better and see how it goes he's a great person and a good friend...And I can't wait to go to Uganda.

Other than the 'incident' was there anything in the house, for you, that you worried about your family and friends maybe seeing? 

BE: Nothing whatsover I don't believe in living in fear I'm a free spirit. Whatever happens people move on with their lives so why shouldn't I move on with mine?

REad the rest of the interview with I-magazine

Maria Sarungi Tsehai on iMag

I think she is a brilliant woman and definitely someone to look upto... Her  Interview with iMagazine with Sporah Njau was great. She talked about Beauty Pageants in Tanzania and the controversial 'Did Nelly Kamwelu Deserve to win?' question on everybodys mind, The Miss Universe Challenge, Her mission in Life, her definition of beauty and revealed a little about Herself. 


Get to Know Maria Sarungi Tsehai...

Sporah: What are your strengths?

MS: My strength is my ability to listen and encourage people to talk about themselves. I also believe that I have been blessed by God to have very good judgment of character and I always trust my instincts.

Sporah: What are your weaknesses?

MS: Some people who are close to me sometimes consider it my weakness – my generosity! People say that I am taken advantage of. But I do not believe it’s true because I have never regretted giving. I love the Swahili saying “Tenda wema uende zako”. I do not expect gratitude but I do expect the person to take advantage of whatever I gave him/her and move on from one point to another.

Sporah: What makes you very angry?

MS: I get very angry about liars and any form of bullying. I really loose my temper at times like this. I value honesty more than anything and I always tell people around me – tell me the bad news I can live with it, but if you lie you loose my trust!

Tanzania And Beauty Pageants

Sporah: Do you honestly think that Tanzania will ever have any control over the achievement of beauty pageants! why?

MS: I think the question in itself is based on the wrong premise. Why do we want to ‘control’ achievements? We have to work for them. And if it is about achievements, Tanzania has made its mark with the likes of Flaviana Matata and Miriam Odemba, but also with girls who may not have placed but garnered media attention like Hellen Dausen, Illuminata James in Miss Universe, Rehema Sudi and Richa Adhia in Miss Earth. I think what we truly lack is the support that other countries get from their governments and national media. This is not only financial support but moral support. I am happy that the media in Tanzania has started providing us with more support and I hope to eventually see the government on board as well. For example, wherever the pageant is held like this year in Brazil, the Tanzanian embassy in the country should provide full support for the titleholder and the pageant, because the titleholder will be our Beauty Ambassador in a very important and large media event. As I said I hope this year the government will be able to see the importance of this.

Sporah: What would you like to see more in beauty pageants in Tanzania? and why?

MS: I would like to see and achieve more preparations for the girls, in this case I am not talking about preparation of the winner but also preparation before they compete in the national pageant. There are many girls who have potential but when they are competing nationally they are not groomed and are not ready to compete internationally. They need at least one year of training and grooming to achieve the level that is needed. This challenge is what I am currently trying to address and overcome. More of my plans will be forthcoming soon.

Did Nelly Kamwelu Deserve to Win?

Sporah: Some people are unhappy with Miss Universe TANZANIA 2011? Some people think that Nelly Kamwelu did not deserve the crown for Miss Universe TANZANIA 2011, break it down for me!

MS: I am confident that the panel of judges was very serious about their choice and unbiased, and chose the best girl to win the crown. It is an insult to the intelligence of the judges to say that they would sit and allow results that were not in their favor to be announced. They were shown the results including the tabulation of the scores before the results were announced, because our pageant does that in order to avoid such problems. Each judge is given time to scrutinize the tabulation and make any remarks. However the final count has to be respected by all. This is how our competition goes. But I would like to discuss the word ‘deserve’ Let me remind you that when Flaviana Matata won, I heard back remarks that she was the wrong choice because nobody sends a girl without hair to beauty pageants, some on blogs and in the streets even dared to call her ugly, ‘mshamba’ because she answered her question at the national pageant in Kiswahili and they called her other horrible names (She placed 6^thinternationally). When we crowned Richa Adhia as Miss Earth Tanzania, there were comments that she would not represent well Tanzania because she was of Indian origin (she was top 16 in swimwear). When we selected Miriam Odemba to represent us at Miss Earth, I heard people say that I made a mistake because Miriam was too old and had too much ‘scandals’in her past (she was 1^st runner up). When Hellen Dausen won, some said that she was too short there were even rumors that she is Kenyan (she was featured in Profiles Magazine and was one of the most photographed Africans). 

My response is simple – look at the achievements of these beautiful young girls! Why make beautiful young women’s lives miserable with horrible comments and criticism when the people talking are not aware of the judging system and the standards, and have no idea who these girls really are? Personal preference is one thing and professional assessment is another thing.

I do not know what the excuse is this time for the naysayers, but what I say is that money, time and most importantly energy of people have been invested in making this beauty pageant a success for 5 years. We take this very seriously and have no reason to do otherwise. The winner in Tanzania is not judged only to be a local beauty pageant winner but the ultimate goal is for that girl to represent us internationally and do well.

Random thought:, cannot believe this discusion actualy came up, this girl is hot... idk...i woulda been a bit shocked if she didnt win

The Definition of beauty

Sporah: What is your definition of beauty?

MS: Beauty is all-encompassing – it is not just about having perfect features, or perfect body measurements, it is about the combination of a beautiful face, body and a beautiful inner self. Now the catch is that inner self. The question often is not who was the most beautiful but who could project her inner self best.

Read the Rest of The interview on iMagazine

Designer Sheria Ngowi Interview with SPorah Njau!

I call him Tanzania's Own Tom Ford... Tho that its wrong to call someone someone else and we all have our won titles..he is the picture painted on my mind when it comes to menswear style..lets face it....this Man is fashionable 011, i bet he's sleepin dreamin of perfect little ties with velvet lined suit no creases...Yeeees Yees....and thats his ectasy..lol.. Sheria Ngowi Marvelous designer,unique sense of style...his designs break the barrier of our modern day African males wear designers, truly someone to be proud of, his Year of the Gentlemen Collection had peoples minds blown away.. The man himself had an interview with Sporah Njau on i-Magazine that i got my hands on.. here are bits n pieces i loved... you can read the rest here

Are Gay Fashion Designers better?


iMag: Do you think that generally gay men are the best fashion designers and stylist!


SN: I don't know, gays are everywhere, and more than likely the ones you see are feminine. Masculine gays who don't act like stereotypical are in all kinds of fields.

iMag: Why are most fashion designers gay?


SN: Well to be honest most famous designers out there are either super old with tons of experience in the fashion industry, or gay.
Usually it’s both.
I’m not prejudicing anyone but that’s how it seems right now.


Men and Fashion

iMag: What do you think of sites like AskMen that encourage guys to dress better?


SN: For me they did a great job especially one of the biggest mistakes men actually make is that they buy clothing that is too large for them. Especially if a man is not skinny, if a man is a little heavier, he thinks that he needs to cover up and wear bigger clothing than he needs. I think your clothing should skim your body, not hide your body.

iMag: For the average guy who can’t afford bespoke tailoring, what advice would you give him when suit shopping?

SN: Bespoke is not a necessity or the goal. The goal is to build a great wardrobe of well-made clothes that will last for more than a season and to add to every season with more and more interesting pieces. Ready-to-wear handmade clothes, created with excellent fabrics are the answer. Save on the surcharge for custom-made clothes if you fit in a standard size, but do not compromise on the quality of the fabrics and on the handwork. Those elements make the garment and make it last forever.

iMag: What one must-have item will instantly update a man’s wardrobe for 2011?


SN: Men's fashion trends differ a great deal from women’s. With men, trends change at a slower pace than women. Men can therefore afford to wear pieces for many seasons without looking out of style. In 2011 men’s fashion is still going to lean more on the classic side with Suits continuing to be slim and following the body’s silhouette. Fabrics for suits will be linen, wool, cotton and velvet. On the casual side people should focus on being minimalistic with few complications on the look, so a simple linen blazer with a v neck tee, a pair of corduroy pants with loafers / leather sandals and a pair of sunglasses will suffice to turn people’s heads.

iMag: What is the most important garment in a man's wardrobe; the one big-ticket fashion item that is worth its price tag?


SN: Very difficult to say; each item is linked to another. A great shirt without a great tie will not "perform" at its best. A great suit with a cheap tie and shirt is a crime. But, let's say, start with a great two-button shirt and a nine-fold tie and the suit and sport jacket would follow, hopefully shortly.

iMag: What are the most common male fashion mistakes?


SN: Wearing everything two sizes too big; pants that are too long; and not investing in a great pair of shoes.

iMag: What is one item of men’s clothing that is worth the investment?


SN: I think if you invest in a beautiful black jacket that fits you well, wear it all the time. Wear that black jacket to work, wear it for evening, wear it in the supermarket, wear it wherever. Because you can always be on safe side all the time.

iMag: What are the most important accessories men should wear?


SN: Watch, Necklace Chain, Bracelet, Ring.

iMag: So, is there anything you see men doing now that makes you cringe?


SN: The vast majority of African men’s fashion makes me want to cringe. I’ve seen and there are a few African countries where men really do care and put themselves together, but for the most part, the African man is pretty sloppy. He doesn’t really care too much about how things fit, and he doesn’t really like to take chances.

Miriam Odemba's Interview with Sporah

Tanzania's Beauty queen Miriam who was Miss Earth Air 2008 interview with Sporah Njau's i-Magazine...
she talks about Her Fiance, her baby , her career, baby weight and the whole 'Tanzanian girls want White men' syndrome and mooore...Juicy Juicy!
These are bits and pieces I loved from the interview..for the full interview go to i-Magazine

About Her Fiance

How did you and Laurent meet?


MO: I met Laurent whilst travelling in Hong Kong .

iMag: What’s the most romantic thing Laurent ever done for you?

MO: Laurent is french and as you know they are extremely romantic so I couldn't choose just one thing but I will say that I am the happiest woman in the planet right now.

Proudly Tanzanian

iMag: What makes you proud to be a Tanzanian?

MO: I am so proud to be Tanzanian. Tanzania is not poor but it is poorly managed. I hope my young brother Jeremiah Kagose will one day manage everything so that we can have a better Tanzania without corruption.

About being Mommy

iMag: What do you love most about being a mommy?

MO: Being a mother has made me more responsible. It is hard work but I believe that a mother is the 'engine' of the family. I am much happier as a mother and am really enjoying motherhood.

iMag: What do you think of today's young mothers?

MO: Mothers today are still fashionable. We can be great mothers as well as beautiful wives. It doesn't have to be one or the other. It is wonderful to be a mother, to bring another human being into this world. It is truly a blessing.
iMag: What is your biggest fear about being a Mommy?

MO: I was afraid of the birthing process but because of my renewed faith in God I found peace. Don't be afraid to become a mother. It is a wonderful gift from God.

iMag: Have you ever thought you couldn't cope with a child! and why?

MO: I never felt that way as becoming a mother has strengthened me and made me feel complete. Motherhood has not slowed me down at all... I think that as women, we are created to have children and if we embrace it...it is an awesome thing.
iMag: What bothers you most about your career now after having a child?

MO: Most women are afraid of change...they are afraid of changing jobs they don't like or changing boyfriends that they can't stand. You need to know your worth. The day you settle for less is the day you will get less. I say - embrace change because you never know what lies around the corner.

She's Religious... 

iMag: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

MO: 1st is to wake up in the morning and be grateful to God for keeping you here, alive and healthy. 2nd is to give.

iMag: Do you have any regrets?

MO: No I am a born again Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ and He has wiped my past mistakes away.

 About Young Girls attitude towards Tanzanian Men

iMag: Some young girls in Tanzania now have negative attitude towards Tanzanian men! Its like girls want to be like Miriam Odemba and marry
a white rich guy! What do you think about this?

MO: Everyone is different and has different tastes. I love Laurent so much and it doesn't matter to me that he is white. Love doesn't know colour. We all have our choices in life that we have to make. I would simply say that you have to live your life in the way that is right for you. Don't try to be like anyone else. Live YOUR life.


About her Career 


iMag: Did anyone in the modeling industry ask you to change your look?

MO: No and I will never change my look. I love and I do enjoy being me.

iMag: What do you love a part from modelling?

MO: Taking pictures... going to museums like the Louvre, spending time with my friends and my family, shopping, eating good food. My best friend Narola from childhood has opened up a cupcake business: Arusha Cupcakes. She makes the yummiest cupcakes! You have to try it!

( Okay The Tanzanian girls want white men syndrome thing...I personally think love should have nothing to do with color and in love,we see no color so dont put words in my lil 'joke')

Get to know...Nyasha Matonhodze

My Good friend Lina was just telling my how wild Zimbabwe is of 16 year old Nyasha being the new face of Louis Vuitton..
Kind enough to forward me an interview she saw in  NEW ZIMBABWE

Tell us a little about your childhood.

I was born in Zimbabwe and raised by my grandmother in a very cultural, traditional household. It's much different than the British culture where my mom lived. I moved to England when I was eight, so I do still have memories of Zimbabwe -- falling asleep in the sand, bathing outside, the warmth of the sun, and just the way of living.

Moving to England, I saw their perspective on Africa and what they think it's like, and it's completely the opposite. I went back to Zimbabwe three years ago and it's so lovely; they're happy with who they are and their traditions. I love going back home.

How did you get discovered?

My discovery wasn't a discovery. At 14, my mum and my stepdad went into Elite Models to see if I could actually model. Since I was 12, I was tall and thin so I would always get the whole "you should be a model," but I never really developed a serious interest about it until America's Next Top Model. Seriously, that’s when it all changed for me. Everything I wanted was pretty much based off that show.

I went into this career thinking I could be a model, but I never thought I'd actually become one. Once I signed with Elite, I was entered into the Elite Model Look competition, where I became a finalist. As soon as I turned 16, I walked for Jonathan Saunders [Scottish fashion designer].

You've appeared in spreads for Harper's Bazaar and Teen Vogue, what do you make of it? Do you recognise yourself?

I find it difficult to see myself and think that I'm a model. I feel blessed and honoured to keep getting that next step in my career. I've met amazing people that keep supporting me and pushing me further and further. It's like a dream, no matter how good I do, it's still so surreal for me.

What can we expect from you in the coming months?

I'm going to surprise you. But I must say that Katie Grand [British stylist] has to be one of the best people I've ever worked with, and I hope that I never stop working with her. She's genius!

Who are some of your best model friends?

Ajak [Sudanese model]. Usually you have to try hard to make friends, but with her, we found a comfort zone and just clicked instantly. She's talkative and bubbly, kind of the opposite of me. I adore her.

Let's play favorites, what's your favorite:

Music: I love soul and gospel music. Music affects people's moods. If you’re going to listen to loud, angry music, you might want to go punch somebody. I like to feel more grounded, earthy.

Books: The Bible because not only does it tell people how good they are, but what we can do for others.

 

Film: Sister Act II, it's such a classic!

 

Artist: I love photography. I really liked working with Jason Kibbler and Daniel Jackson.

Foods: African foods like sadza, especially if my aunts make it. But I also love seafood, and Chinese food with all their intricate spices.

Tell us a secret.

I'm goofy. Models are often thought to be these glamorous creatures, but I don't think I'm so glamorous with me sitting on my bum eating Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream at home.

What's the last thing you bought?

Well, I didn't really buy this, but I got an awesome trade from Malandrino: a navy jumpsuit, a V-top, and a little cute leather jacket.

What's your most favourite and least favourite feature about yourself?

My least favourite feature are my ears; they're so small! For positive, though, a lot of people tell me I have a lot of compassion for others. I care a lot about people and when I help others, God blesses me with other things. What I hate is seeing a person who doesn't appreciate themselves. Of course I have my insecurities; we all do, so I try my best to make people confident in who they are.

 

What scares you?

Oh my gosh, spiders. I have a little brother who's 12, and every time I see one I make him come over with his sneakers to squash them. He actually used to pick them in his palm and set them outside, and I would always tell him to just squash them. Spiders are just so creepy.

Describe your style.

Plain, but bold. I love prints: leopard or any animal print. If I'm wearing black, I want a little bit of pop to my outfit.

Life motto?

Morally, I think one should be nice to everyone. There's no reason for anyone to feel like they're on top of the world.

I'm sitting here talking to you and I can't believe you're only 16-years-old, as you seem incredibly mature for your age. Are you really 16?

[Laughs] Thank you. I think most of my wisdom comes from my dad and my mum. My dad always taught me the Christian way of life. And for my mother, she was a single mother at 18 who moved to London without knowing anyone. She's always worked hard and seeing her overcome so much in life has been an inspiration for me. She's so successful now, and I want to be like her.

Tell us something about modeling most people don't know.

If you're not strong-minded, modeling can knock your confidence quite harshly. Every day you're judged on your look, and more so today you're judged on your personality. With that said, a lot of us are 15 or 16-years-old, so some girls could really take the criticism personally. What we have to understand is that there's not something wrong with us per se, we just aren't a right fit with the client.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

I'd have to say the media's perspective on modelling. They always make it seem as if it's an easy task, like models don't have to work hard — I'd like to change that. I want people to see the real side of modelling, and not just the glamorous.

Lastly, any goals in modeling?

Enjoy it.

Tanzanian Designer Anna Luks...

Little White Corste by Tanzanian Designer  based in Anna Lukindo

Anna Lukindo is the driving force and creative concepts behind ANNA LUKS DESIGNS. Please watch the video and listen you will discover that Anna Lukindo is a very creative and intelligent person. AILTV did an interview Anna 5 years ago, when she was doing a diploma in print and design at Middlesex University London. Not long a go Anna completed her degree, which has boosted her confidence and a wider knowledge about design and print.

Interview starts at 1:23

Imagecredit:Afrokilectic

Flashback interview

A Flashback from the past, I read this interview off JF and I thought, this guy is direct and gets straight to the point to expectations to doings,this was a damn good interview... One of a kind patriot ..Nyerere, i wonder what he would say about the Middle East Revolutions if he were alive. 
The interview is about war in Rhodesia 1977 
Besides the problem of his socialist nation's faltering economy, he is confronted with the collapse of the East African Community that bound Tanzania with neighboring Kenya and Uganda in economic union, and the open hostility of Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin Dada, who accuses him of plotting an "invasion" in cahoots with former Ugandan President Milton Obote. Nonetheless, the future of southern Africa remains Nyerere's main concern, as he made clear in an hour-long interview with TIME Correspondent Lee Griggs last week at his two-story villa in Dar es Salaam:

Q. Will the insurgency in Rhodesia develop into full-scale war?

A. It is no longer a question of whether there will be war but of how much war. How much armed pressure is necessary depends on how much unarmed pressure the Western countries apply in the form of sanctions and the like. It will take a combination of these pressures to bring down Smith and make independence on the basis of majority rule possible.

Q. How could the U.S. apply pressure?

A. The U.S. can do three things. First, it can discourage Smith from believing that eventually the Western world must regard him as an ally against Communist penetration of southern Africa. Second, it must follow up with action to discourage Smith. It encourages him that you now buy his chrome openly and break sanctions. Third, you must realize that South Africa is a strong supporter of Smith. Rather than pursue past policy and use South Africa as your ally against Smith, you should realize that the politics of South Africa simply do not allow this. Instead, the U.S. and the West should say to [John] Vorster, "Look, we don't expect you to help bring about majority rule in Rhodesia. All we ask is that you not stop it."

Q. Why are you exclusively committed to the Patriotic Front [of guerrillas inside Rhodesia] as the only means to bring about majority rule there?

A. The problem is Smith, not the Patriotic Front. This fellow [with] the power has to be forced into independence on the basis of majority rule, and the Patriotic Front is doing the forcing. You cannot have a tea party for Smith and expect him to give in. He must be defeated or brought to the conference table at a point where he knows he is defeated.

Q. Tanzanian troops are training guerrillas. Do you foresee using your troops in combat against Rhodesian forces?

A. We have had experience with guerrilla fighting—and a philosophy of liberation. We helped the Mozambicans to fight by setting up training camps and passing on arms to them. We accepted risks, but they did the fighting. Our philosophy is that people must free themselves. You don't free them. It is no good our going into Rhodesia. No, this is a war of liberation, and the people have to liberate themselves. But if the war [is] internationalized and South Africa goes in on the other side, then I don't see how Tanzania could stay out.

Q. If the war is "internationalized," do you see non-Africans getting involved, such as the Cubans?

A. Cuba, Cuba, Cuba! The question is always Cuba, not the military might of the West behind South Africa. No African country or combination of African countries could be a military threat to South Africa. Yet France and others continue to arm South Africa. Why is the U.S. so worried about tiny Cuba? Or is Cuba being used as a cover-up to arm South Africa? I tell you, brother, if South Africa uses its army to prevent Rhodesia from becoming free, then we have the right to ask for support from anywhereelse—and from much bigger powers than Cuba.

Q. Closer to home, the East African Community—Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda—has apparently collapsed. What can you do to save it?

A. It is a tragic thing that independent African states cannot maintain the kind of unity that the British were able to build in East Africa. We can save something only if our partners, mainly Kenya, also agree to help. We are all poor Third World countries. We should work together to build strength through unity.

Q. Ten years ago, you set Tanzania firmly on the road to socialism. What have been the successes and shortcomings ?

A. We have chosen the socialist path, but we are still miles away from success. My people are poor and ignorant. They still have to drink dirty water. Every day we are telling our people what they deserve, but we do not have the managerial or financial ability to provide it. We could do much better.

Q. What is your attitude toward recent actions by Amin in Uganda?

A. My position is well known on Uganda. I have been speaking about it for six years—ever since Amin came to power. Now that others are beginning to see what is happening there, it is time for me to shut up.

Q. Is there anything to rumors that you may soon retire?

A. When I was last elected, for a five-year term in September 1975, I asked, "Isn't it time we considered other candidates?" It has been rumored that I plan to get out ever since, but my term still has some way to run, so please, allow me my time.

[source]