Parliament finds success story grinding out prosperity

MWANZA: WHEN members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Administration, Constitution and Legal Affairs set out to inspect projects funded by the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, they likely expected the usual routine namely reports, site visits, polite nods, and perhaps a few “we’ll follow ups.”

What they encountered in Kabangaja Street, however, was something far more compelling: the unmistakable hum of real, measurable progress.

At the center of this discovery was a group of at least 15 determined women operating under the name Wasikivu.

Their enterprise and that is a cereal milling factory, stood not only as a business venture but as a symbol of how targeted financial support, when combined with discipline and community cooperation, can produce tangible change.

The group secured capital amounting to 11.5m/-through TASAF’s fourth-phase economic empowerment programme in 2024.

With that funding, they invested in a grain processing machine equipped with both electric and gas operating systems, an indication that even at a modest scale, adaptability and foresight were part of their planning.

Speaking to the Committee, Wasikivu Chairlady Laurencia Lugendo explained that their production goes beyond simple grain milling.

In addition to peanut processing, the group produces blended flour made from multiple grains, carefully combining ingredients to enhance nutritional value.

It is, in many ways, a small factory with a big ambition: feeding both households and hope. Behind the machines and products lies a governance structure that appears to be working effectively.

Operating under a Community Management Committee and in collaboration with local leaders and the Ilemela Municipal Council, the group has managed to maintain both organization and accountability, two factors that often determine whether such initiatives flourish or fade.

Lugendo highlighted that the economic impact on members has been significant.

Women who once struggled financially are now earning, saving, and planning ahead.

In her words, Wasikivu has become a model for others, demonstrating how community-driven initiatives can lift families out of poverty.

It is the kind of success story that policymakers frequently describe and occasionally, as in this case, actually get to see.

Financially, the group is already showing encouraging signs. They have accumulated over three million shillings in profit and have taken a major step forward by purchasing a plot of land for constructing a permanent office. This move signals not just growth, but confidence in continuity.

Not content with staying in one lane, the group has also diversified its activities.

They have ventured into the production of liquid and bar soap— because, as any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you, relying on a single income stream is a risky business.

In Wasikivu’s case, diversification appears to be less of a buzzword and more of a practical strategy.

According to Kabangaja Street Officer Chiku Said, the group’s success did not come as a surprise. She noted that all project supervisors underwent capacity-building training focused on effective governance.

These sessions covered financial management, procurement planning, storage practices, environmental and social impact assessments, and clearly defined roles for management committees.

In other words, the group was not simply handed funds and wished good luck.

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They were equipped with the tools to manage those funds responsibly, a detail that often makes the difference between sustainable success and short-lived enthusiasm.

Further strengthening their operations, the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) has been providing ongoing support, particularly in marketing.

Through these engagements, Wasikivu has been able to connect with a broader customer base, turning what might have remained a local effort into a growing enterprise with wider reach.

For members of the Parliamentary Committee, the visit offered more than just inspection, it provided validation.

Committee member Neema Majule expressed appreciation for the group’s achievements, emphasizing that such outcomes highlight the real impact of TASAF programmes in reducing poverty.

She pointed out that progress is often presented in reports and statistics, which, while useful, can feel abstract.

Witnessing a functioning enterprise run by empowered women offered a refreshing contrast—a reminder that behind every number lies a human story. Her message was clear: the success of Wasikivu should not remain confined to Kabangaja Street.

It should inspire other women and communities across the country. After all, empowering women has a multiplier effect—improving not just individual livelihoods but entire societies.

Adding weight to these observations, the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Ridhiwan Kikwete, acknowledged that the benefits of women’s empowerment through TASAF were evident.

He encouraged the group to strengthen its marketing strategies further, aiming to access both reliable local markets and opportunities beyond national borders.

Support for Wasikivu also came from Ilemela Member of Parliament Willian Kafiti, who, despite being engaged elsewhere, communicated his pledge of three million shillings to the group.

In a move that underscored government backing, Minister Kikwete announced that an additional seven million shillings would be provided, bringing the total support to ten million for further development.

While the Wasikivu project stood out as a success story, the Committee’s tour also included other TASAF funded initiatives. In Kitangiri Ward, members inspected the Mihama dispensary project, valued at over 232m/-.

The facility includes essential components such as outpatient and maternity wards, a laboratory, pharmacy, sanitation infrastructure, and housing for a healthcare provider.

It represents a comprehensive approach to improving healthcare access at the community level.

Committee Chairperson Damas Ndumbaro directed that the dispensary be officially handed over to Ilemela Municipal authorities and emphasized the need to install proper water management infrastructure.

Addressing rainwater stagnation, he noted, would be critical to maintaining the facility’s functionality.

Overall, the Committee expressed satisfaction with the project, describing it as good work—a phrase that, in parliamentary language, often carries more weight than it appears.

TASAF Director Shedrack Mziray provided broader context, noting that as of July 2024, approximately 400,000 households had achieved self-reliance through the programme.

Additionally, over 1,500 development projects have been implemented across sectors including education, health, water, and income generation.

These efforts have led to the formation of nearly 75,000 groups, encompassing about 900,000 members, who collectively have saved over 17.5bn/-.

It is an impressive scale, though, as the Wasikivu example shows, the real story lies in how those numbers translate into lived experiences. Not all findings during the tour were positive.

At the Lake Zone Administration Ethics building in Ilemela, the Committee issued a three-month ultimatum, starting March 2026, for completion of the project.

Despite assurances that the building would be ready by April 2026, the Committee expressed skepticism, observing that progress on the ground did not match the timeline.

The message to the contractor was straightforward: speed up, because funding is not the issue.

Ethics Commissioner Judge (Retired) Sivangilwa Mwangesi highlighted the financial implications of delays, noting that once completed, the facility would save at least 70 million shillings annually in rental costs.

Currently, only three out of eight zones have permanent offices, with the rest incurring over 300m/- per year in rent.

Minister Kikwete supported the project, emphasizing that a dedicated ethics facility would enhance oversight and improve the monitoring of public servants’ conduct.

Meanwhile, the Local Authorities Accounts Committee (LAAC), also touring Mwanza Region, uncovered concerns in Nyamagana District.

A project involving health facility construction revealed misallocation of over 1.1bn/-and had remained incomplete for approximately 13 years.

Expressing dissatisfaction, LAAC directed the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) to recover the funds and take disciplinary action against those responsible.

It also called for a thorough assessment to determine whether the unfinished structure remains viable.

The Committee’s visit to Mwanza City’s central market produced mixed feedback. While the project was commended, questions were raised about unoccupied stalls and shops.

Authorities were instructed to investigate the issue and implement improvements, including better infrastructure for water management, electricity, and accessibility.

Security enhancements, particularly the installation of CCTV cameras, were also recommended.

In Magu District, LAAC inspected administrative and education projects, urging timely completion—a reminder that while some initiatives excel, others still require close supervision.

Taken together, the visits painted a nuanced picture. There are clear successes, like Wasikivu, where funding, training, and community effort align effectively.

There are also challenges—delays, mismanagement, and underutilized infrastructure—that highlight the need for continued oversight.

If there is a single takeaway, it is this: development programmes do not succeed on funding alone.

They require accountability, capacity, and, perhaps most importantly, people willing to turn opportunity into action.

In Kabangaja Street, a group of women has done exactly that—proving that sometimes, the best way to evaluate a policy is to listen to the sound of a milling machine turning grain into both flour and future.