MWANZA: IN Magu District, Mwanza Region, the elders have something to say and it’s not all sunshine and roses.
They’re worried about what they see as a steady decline in moral values among the youth.
Nowadays, people seem to treasure material things more than human connections or even basic human decency, embracing attitudes that would make their ancestors raise an eyebrow.
At the recent inauguration of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Itumbili Secondary School, the elders expressed concern about how even traditional foods are falling out of favour, a shift that has troubling implications for communities already grappling with malnutrition.
The CoE, established in 2020 by TukoSawa Society, a Community of Practice (CoP), was founded to promote ecological awareness and foster community wellbeing.
At the event, the school celebrated its Form Four graduates and set the stage for a new chapter of local pride, with food exhibitions featuring the rich culinary heritage of Lake Victoria tribes, including the Sukuma, Kurya and Haya.
The event wasn’t just a feast for the taste buds it included tribal fashion shows, performances and poetry all centred around TukoSawa’s theme of “Equality despite differences,” a gentle reminder that we’re all part of one human family, no matter what we look like or how much stuff we own.
Sukuma elder Mr Filipo Manti voiced the elders’ concerns in his speech. “These days, young people don’t seem interested in spending time with us,” he noted, adding, “This has left a gap in family life.
When young people get married now, it often doesn’t last because they lack the wisdom that used to be passed down.”
And as for respect? “We’re lucky if they even greet us anymore! But hey, what can we say? We’re just the old folks, out of date.”
Manti thanked the TukoSawa Society for organising the event, saying it was refreshing to see young people so eager to learn about the past.
“To be honest, we came expecting just another festival, not realising we’d have a real chance to share our stories with young people who actually care about what life was like for us Tanzanians in the past. And let me tell you, seeing them cook and serve local foods in our honour that was truly something.”
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TukoSawa’s Senior Coordinator, Mr Conrad Kiondo, emphasised that this Centre of Excellence is only the beginning.
The hope is that similar programmes will spread across Tanzania, connecting the younger generation with the wisdom of their elders to encourage environmental and social responsibility.
“Elders have deep knowledge about the local environment and it’s up to young Tanzanians to appreciate and learn from this wisdom while it’s still around,” he said, stressing that “technology alone won’t solve our problems.
Every time we talk with elders across Tanzania, they’re surprised and delighted to see young people genuinely interested in their experiences.”
Itumbili Secondary’s headmaster, Mr Jeremiham Niyitanga, echoed these sentiments, stating that the event marked a new era of community engagement.
Representing her fellow students, Form Four graduate Ms Amina Busumabu expressed gratitude for the elders’ support and requested continued collaboration to help the CoE flourish.
“Please don’t get tired of working with us. We pray that this relationship lasts forever,” she said with heartfelt sincerity.
TukoSawa Patron Mr Madaraka Nyerere, son of Tanzania’s founding father, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, was also moved by the students’ enthusiasm for community building, a rarity in a world where most young people would rather follow celebrity gossip than their local heritage.
He encouraged the students to continue embracing peace and unity, values his father cherished. He promised to support their initiatives, including bringing agribusiness specialists to Itumbili Secondary School to help students explore sustainable agricultural practices.
To top it all off, Mr Madaraka rolled up his sleeves to plant trees alongside the students, underscoring TukoSawa’s commitment to tackling climate change one sapling at a time.
