DAR ES SALAAM: IN some parts of Dar es Salaam on day, life went on as usual despite the importance of the local election day.
A ‘Daily News’ spot survey at Mwananyamala, Makumbusho and Ilala markets revealed that while many residents took time to vote, a noticeable number of businesses continued with their daily operations.
At Makumbusho, the usual hustle and bustle filled the air as secondhand clothes vendors, food sellers and shopkeepers remained focused on making sales.
This underscored the resilience of daily life, where the call of commerce seemed to take precedence over the political atmosphere of the day.
Said Yusuph, a secondhand clothes vendor at Makumbusho, said that the election holiday held little significance for him, as his main focus was on making sales.
Typically, he could earn a profit of between 7,000/- and 15,000/-, but during the holiday, sales were often higher, making it an even more lucrative opportunity. “What’s the point of voting?” he muttered, folding a shirt.
“There’s no real competition. Even if I vote, the winners are already decided. I don’t have time for that,” Mr Yusuph said, his focus remaining on the task at hand.
Similarly, in Buguruni, Ilala the streets were lined with vendors selling everything from fruits and vegetables to household items. Mr Zebedayo Joseph, a vendor at Ilala market, said that he cannot afford to vote, as his livelihood depends on daily earnings.
“I can’t take time off,” he said, “every day counts for me.” Ms Mariam Said explained, “People are focused on making money (maokoto) and aren’t thinking about voting because even the leaders who are supposed to serve us often require us to pay for basic services, even just to get a stamp”. Some vendors at Ilala market said they don’t have the luxury to vote since they are struggling to make ends meet.
“I could go vote, but that’s not going to pay my bills. Instead, let me stay here and work,” the vendor insisted. He said they knew the outcome wouldn’t change their struggles, so they focused on their work, leaving the political world to sort itself out without their involvement.
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A bus conductor traveling between Makumbusho and Tabata Chang’ombe said he would only go to vote if he had time. “But why would I vote when there’s no fairness?” He added
. One shopkeeper shrugged when asked if he would vote. “I don’t need to vote. My business is what matters. We need to make money today. The election won’t feed my family.” In Mwananyamala, it was no different.
Business owners were fully engaged, with customers coming and going throughout the voting day.
A vendor selling fruits and vegetables, Leo Joseph, looked up when asked about the election and said: “Voting doesn’t help me sell my tomatoes…my focus now is on my customers and make money”
