Social activist John Mashaka presents brand new TV and Still photo cameras to head of the Tanzania Mitindo House (TMH) Ms. Khadija Mwanamboka at a fundraiser held at the Hellenic Club Saturday for the proposed orphanage building project TMH is undertaking. Apart from the camers both valued at about 3.4m/ Tshs, Mashaka also donated 500,000/- for the cause
Khadija Mwanamboka has every reason to look grateful 
John Mashaka and other guests at the hugh table during the event.-------------------------------------------------
PEACE AND HUMAN DIGNITY SPEECH
TANZANIA MITINDO HOUSE FUNDRAISING EVENT
AUGUST 22ND, 2009 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
TANZANIA MITINDO HOUSE FUNDRAISING EVENT
AUGUST 22ND, 2009 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
BY John Mashaka
Mrs. Pinda, the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, and my fellow citizens; I am humbled, and greatly honored, for this opportunity, to join with you, in this noble effort and struggle for human dignity.
We have gathered here, not to glamorize the work of our hands, but have gathered to celebrate, the most sacred gift from God to humans; and that is gift of life. You have responded to a moral call, and its challenges, of peace, and justice for all.
Tanzania Mitindo House, I must commend you for your sacrifice and unselfish dedication to serve humanity. I must also commend you, for your courage to use your hands and abilities to serve. You have heeded the call for using your talents, to bring smile to those shedding tears in the corners of despair and hopelessness. You have set an example for many of us. You have set the pace, and led the way for the greater society.
You have brought forth an idea of compassion and humility; an idea, needed in the modern world, suffering from moral decay. You have brought forth an approach needed to make the world a better place.
The moral problems facing the world today are not difficult to solve, had the man had the will and determination to solve them. They are problems that do not require money or wealth, they are moral problems initiated by our own lust, and selfishness.
These are products of gluttony, in which a few inhabitants of this planet, and a few people in this country, control the resources of the masses, disturbing peace, creating and widening the gap, between haves, and have-nots, within the broader structure of human society.
While talking of these problems, I am forced to talk about peace, because we can’t prosper, and neither can we make any meaningful progress without it. I am talking of peace, which makes life worthy living. Kind of peace, that enables people of all races to live in harmony.
I am talking of peace, created through preaching of true love, not love of words, but love of deeds. Not the peace preached by politicians, and religious leaders in their political podiums, and church pulpits, but peace created using our hands, to feed little children, abandoned and only living by the grace of God.
This is the only true peace, which can make our world more livable, and our lives more equitable, regardless of our race, color or creed. It is the peace without geographical boundary.
I am talking of real peace, which can be realized in this nation, when we give children dreaming big, a chance to attain their noble aspirations, and true potentials I am talking of peace, which can be enjoyed in this nation, when albinos living in great fear and uncertainty, will no longer be afraid to of their own lives, in their own country.
Let us dream of peaceful environment, in which oppression by the ruling elite will be something of the past. Let us dream of a society, in which justice, will not only be accorded to the rich and the powerful, but to all who live within the boarders of the great nation of Tanzania.
To my fellow young people, time has come for us to repair the mora
l fabric of our society toned by human greed. We must not only be advocates of justice for all; We must practice it, We must fight for it, until all men living under tyranny and human oppression are freed; we must be ready to give our lives for the common good.
My greatest philosopher, Mahatma Gandhi once said “that you must be the change you wish to see in the world” Indeed; we must practice love, for us to see love in our world. We must be peaceful for us to realize peace. We are living in an age of great prosperity, in which no one would think, of any human being dying of starvation; yet, in our midst are men and women who have lost hope and can never predict where their meals would come from. In our midst are thousands of children, dying of malnutrition.
We are living in a century of abundance, and great human progress. The world is rich, and has enough wealth to make life meaningful for everyone; the great vault of opportunities in our universe; has the wealth to make life worth living for every citizen. Unfortunately, only a few enjoy the wealth of this planet, while majority scavenges for survival.
It is obvious today; that a number of people on this planet, and even on this country, have hijacked our lives and our destiny. These shameful men, are now dictating how much others can eat, where they can sleep, and how they can dress, because, these men controlled by GREED solemnly believe, that man’s fate, and destiny, are theirs to control.
In a country where basic illnesses kill thousands people, some given the power to protect and defend the country, have the audacity and courage to rob the public, leaving deserving children and helpless women; victims of circumstances with no alternative but ,to die in hospitals because they cant afford treatment
Greed, and selfishness have robbed man of his soul; they have left him in misery and forever in want.
His endless quest to concur the world has stripped him of his common sense, left him bitter and cynical. Greed has left man miserable and void of love. It has left him confused and full of hate. And it is high time we reconcile our moral consciousness with the reality.
We need to sit back and think, on the benefits of conquering the whole world and its wealth, yet giving our souls and morals.
Oh humans, we are bathing on the ocean of moral bankruptcy. We have lost our tolerance, sold our hearts, and traded our safety for insecurity; no wonder we are so miserable, and constantly in need. If only we could UNITE, and support one another, instead fighting each others progress, we have the power to shine the light of hope, to the entire humanity.
We must be mindful, that hope is the only mans refuge; man depends on hope to live day by day, and we must bank on it, to be able to control our own future. We must shape our attitudes and the structure of our society, by practicing, and becoming agents of love and humility. We must be generous and compassionate to our fellow men. Let’s be givers instead of receivers.
Let us stand wholeheartedly, by the noblest aspirations of humankind. We must cherish and observe all spiritual and humanist traditions, which call for compassion and celebration of human life. Today, our moral consciousness must not be passive; it must be active, expressed through service to our fellow men. Let us use the fruits of our labor to express love to those feeling abandoned, and have lost hope.
Let us give, those feeling unwanted amongst us that touch of hope; Let us practice sacrifice for the common good. This is my only call, and if you can’t hear my voice and plea, I believe millions of people around the world, who have denounced their freedom, crossed their boarders in search for peace, will hear me.
Today, I am calling upon Teachers in this country, to teach with purpose; they must teach, not only to transform the whole world, but to make one life a remarkable journey.
To the artists amidst us, use your talents, and the power of your voices, not only for the self glorification, but to condemn the acts of brutality in our troubled world. Sing the virtues that will spread love, even to the brutal and evil men killing innocent albinos, men desecrating the work of God in the name of riches, so that they may see the need to respect sanctity of life.
To the diplomats who represent values of their free nations; use your powers not to support the corrupt and evil regimes, inflicting pain and suffering upon the poor and the helpless. Rather, use your influence to defend, and to protect the weak, and the vulnerable; for if we can’t follow this path, then we are destined to doom, and bound to face a moral and social crisis.
To the powerful, the rich, and the ruling class, let wisdom take control, let us practice virtues and morality which will maintain love, peace and harmony in our country, and universe.” For wisdom and moral uprightness, are rare antiquities man can ever possess, they are more powerful than the war machinery, that are now threatening world peace; they are more beneficial than our educational and financial success”
Let’s use them to defend the unfortunate. We must use them to provide equitable justice to our desperate youth who cannot find jobs in their own country, resorting to violence in order to survive. Let us practice justice for the common good.
Time has come, in which we must stand in front of a mirror, and re-examine our own images as a human society; so that we can see our shortcomings, and embark on the moral flight. Let’s all understand, that, we are called upon to serve, let’s practice charity and compassion. Let’s embrace civility for the goodness of mankind.
Let us care for the little ones who are helpless in this country; Lets cloth, and shelter them. Let’s teach them how to love, and not how to hate, let’s teach them how to share, and not how to be selfish. Let’s teach them how to give, and not how to receive. Let’s teach them how to be good citizens. Let’s fight for man’s dignity.
Thank you
wow what a speech!...you are our tanzanian gandhi in the making...keep up the good work mr mashaka, perhaps you will change the destiny of tanzania one day...i am completely humbled with your writtings and speech...mdau canada
ReplyDeleteBwana Mashaka ulikuwa unaongea na watanzania au na wazungu hapo Hellenic Club? Kwa nini somo lako hili likawa kwa lugha ya kigeni tena? Mbona?
ReplyDeleteMashaka umelonga mwana,tatizo unaowalongea wameziba masikio,Tamaha zimewajaa.
ReplyDeleteAti raisi wetu ana wake wawili? Nimebishana na mtu kuhusu hili leo. Mimi najua ana mke mmoja lakini kasema raisi ana wake wawili. Je ni kweli au ni uzushi tu?
ReplyDeletewenzaoko wanagawa pipi. Ukianza na kamera si utaishiwa au non profit inafanya kazi kwa sana
ReplyDeletejamani speech inasisimua sana.ila mashaka unayoyaongea ndo yawe pia matendo yako,isije ikawa unajifanyia kampeni mara unapata uongozi unatunyanyapaa,wangapi waliongea hivi na wanaongea hivi kila mara lakini kinachoendelea mungu anajua.tuungane watanzania tumpie mkoloni (uongozi mbaya,rushwa,)hivi ndivyo vinatuua watanzania.ni lini jamani mtu atamfikira mwenzake,kila mtu anajisaidia mwenyewe na wachache,je wasio na uwezo wa kufika hapo ili japo nao wajisaidie inakuaje.ila kila kitu mungu atalipa, sikumoja tutamwaga damu zetu kwa ajili ya wanyonge, na hapa ndo viongozi watashtuka,na damu ikianza kumwagizka tutaona kama watakua na furaha.anagalia somalia,irak, watu hawana amani wala imani na wenzao, ndo haya tunayopanda tanzania sasa,mavuno yake yatakua kama ya somalia, irak na kwingine..maana mtu uvuna alichopanda.uwezi ukapanda mahindi ukavuna mchele. kama tunapand chuki tutavuna chuki,kama tunapanda upendo basi tutavuna upendo. mungu ibariki tanzania,mungu wabariki watanzania.sisi sote ni ndugu lakini viongozi wetu wanatugawa, tanzania hata kama inamakabila mangapi, ivii ni viungo tu vya utanzania wetu lakini sisi wote ni watanzania.nyie viongozi ni wawakilishi tu. kesho mtatoka wataingia wengine,na mageuzi hayako mbali.
ReplyDeleteaaaa,wamempa nyerere john mashaka kipaza sauti watakoma wenyewe na roho zao...watuulize sisi wana globu ya jamii jinsi gani huyo mtu alivyokuwa na muku wa kuongea hapo ni mpaka asubuhi
ReplyDeletehongera John kwa ujumbe huu. Swahiba wako Shayo yuko wapi? au ndiyo mbimu zenu kuwa leo huyu anakuja na hili na kesho tutamsikia shayo naye akija lile?
ReplyDeleteIla mwanagu umekuna vichwa. Hongereni na juhudi zenu
taifa linawahitaji
akubarikini
mimi nilidhani mlioko nje mngeweza kuwafundisha wanasiasa wetu kuandika hotuba fupi kumbe yale yale! Too long too idealistic: It could be summarized in three paragraphs. Nice gig nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteKwanza nikushukuru na nikupongeze kaka Mashaka kwa moyo wako wa upendo na misaada uliyotoa kwa hao ndugu zetu.
ReplyDeleteLakini mkubwa tukija upande mwingine, uliyoyaongea au kuyaandika kwa asilimia 85 hayajawafikia au hayatawafikia walengwa, kwa sababu lugha ungeifanya ile ya watanzania wengi. Nini kina kushinda kuandika au kuwahutubia hao watu kwa lugha yao ya kiswahili, kama uliandika hotuba kwa kiingereza si mngeitafsiri tu kwa kiswahili ili ujumbe wako hasa unaokusudia kuufukisha ufike.
Nilikuwa nasoma gazeti moja la kiswahili (Raia mwema) na kuna hoja mwandishi alikuwa anaizungumzia ila nilipenda kijimsemo alichokitumia,akasema " KUFANYA JAMBO LILE LILE KILA SIKU KWA NJIA ILE ILE, NA KUTARAJI KUPATA MATOKEO TOFAUTI, NI ISHARA MOJAWAPO YA TAAHIRA YA AKILI" kama tukitumia msemo huu hapa simaanishi kitendo chako cha usamalia wema cha kutoa misaada ila kitendo cha kuandika kila siku kwa lugha ile ile wakati ukijua asilimia kubwa ya walengwa ujumbe hawauelewi (labda kama umewakusudia mawaziri,wabunge au tuseme wasomi wachache), lakini je hadhira iliyokuwa inakusikiliza iliupata ujumbe?. Tukumbuke pia kkwamba elimu tunazozipata yafaa kutusaidia kuweza kusoma nyakati na kutafuta njia sahii zakupambana na matatizo yetu, tukiweza kufanya hivyo basi tunaweza kusema tumeelimika.
Ni mawazo yangu tu pia naamini mtu nilIyesoma masomo ya sayansi sifai kuwa mwanasiasa, milingano na porojo wapi na wapi!!!!.
kilimo cha barafu,
ReplyDeletetaahira ya akili ni kilema.
huyo uliyemnukuu akizungumzia taahira ya akili ameonyesha jinsi gani alivyo na upeo mdogo na alivyokosa ubinadamu ktk kuchagua maneno.
HOTUBA YA JOHN MASHAKA NI NZURI LAKINI NI NDEFU MNOOOO. HAIKUPASWA KUTOLEWA KWENYE HAFLA KAMA HIYO.
Mashaka, i didn't get it, to qoute your speech:
ReplyDelete''The moral problems facing the world today are not difficult to solve, had the man had the will and determination to solve them. They are problems that do not require money or wealth, they are moral problems initiated by our own lust, and selfishness.''
Why 'they' and not 'these'.
Mdau
Reader
sawa bwana mashaka nakupongeza kwa jitahada zako na tunaziunga mkono. ila hiyo hotuba ilikuwa lazima uitoe kwa kimombo au ndio unajipaka mafuta? maana kwa sisi wabongo mtu akiwa nje ya nchi na ukaongea na kuandika lwa lugha ya kijerumani, kiingereza au kifaransa nk, basi unaheshimiwa. Kwani huwezi kuongea kiswahili, i dont care if you have been living abroad or you have a good/respectable career as you r neither the first one nor the last one to be in your position, ONGEA AU WASILIANA NASI IN our mother tongue KISWAHILI! KISWAHILI!
ReplyDeleteMwisho naoana hii kampeni yako ya kujitoa kwenye blog kukicha mara insha mara michango... nategemea una nia nzuri nasi na wala sio unatumia mgongo wa michuzi blog na blog nyingine kwa manufaa yako huko mbeleni.Naona aidha hupo kwenye kampeni ya kujulikana ndani ya jamii na umma kwa kutumia kalamu au michango.Sie macho na masikio kwako tuone unapoishia. Naomba nafsi na maneno na matendo yawe vivo hivyo na wala sio utapeli wa kijamii. tafadhali naomba uongee KIWAHILI ACHA URIMBUKENI kuongea lugha zakigeni muda wote. Just hav a proud with your mother tongue...KISWAHILI.
KJM.
SWALI LA KIZUSHI:
ReplyDeletehivi kwa nini Mashka na Shayo hawaandiki makala zao kule Jamii Forums
nawasilisha
Ninacho wapendea wabongo, ukisha waonesha kuwa unazo fedha, watahakikisha wanazivuta kwa njia yeyote ile. Yaani nakwambia, Hasheem na wewe Mashaka sijui, mshageuzwa magari ya mshahara au ATM.
ReplyDeleteHuruma yangu kwa Hasheem, mashaka anajitakia. Subirini tu, maana Bongo NGO ndo business yenyewe, mtakoma
Mashaka amekaa kama Mkapa fulani. Hapo mmeliwa.
ReplyDeleteMashaka umenena, ila mimi nina wasiwasi hotuba yako imekuwa ndefu na complex. Sijui nusu(zaidi ya nusu) ya waliohudhuria walikuelewa ulichomaanisha.
ReplyDeleteMimi nafikiri 1 to 1 and half pages should have been enough.
Wabongo wengi tulioko Bongo usituone tunacheka, kimombo donti no kabisa....
Seriously, you have good ideas but I doubt if the message reached the intended audience
Ujumbe kama ujumbe ni mzuri.Tatizo kubwa ambalo linaondoa credibility na kushusha heshima na taaluma ya mwandishi ni
ReplyDeleteKwanza,mbali ya uandishi mzuri, je mwandishi amezingatia heshima kwa walengwa(HADHIRA) ya hotuba yake,kwani wengi lugha na misamiati hawakuielewa achilia mbali ujumbe.
Pili,mwandishi maili anajua kuchagua theme ya hotuba yake na tukio.Sasa mwandishi ameacha theme ya tukio kaenda kuongelea mambo mengine, ni wazi kabisa walengwa wake walikuwa ni wanablog ya michuzi na sio waliohudhuria sherehe hiyo.
Tatu,Mashaka inabidi ujue kwamba hotuba si thesis au desertation, Hotuba nzuri ni ile iliyo fupi,inaeleweka,inagusa hoja husika za shughuli(to the point) na inayoweza kumfanya msikilizaji akumbuke ujumbe mkuu.Nategemea asilimia zaidi ya 80% ya wasikilizaji leo hawakumbuki uliongelea nini?.
Mtu asiyekubali kushauliwa, mtu ajidhaniye muda wote yuko sahihi, mtu asiyejiuliza kwa nini adhila yake inamsifia na kumpinga kila mara,mtu asiyetaka kujifunza kwa walengwa wake, basi huyo ni tatizo kubwa sana. Kumbuka hakuna aliyemkamilifu.Nafikiri mtu wa namna hiyo kamwe hatakumabali kuwa pamoja na waelewa, kwani ni mwoga wa kukosolewa, atapenda muda wote awe kwenye kadamnasi yenye upeo wa kawaida huku yeye akijiweka upeo wake ni wa juu.Kamwe hawezi kwenda kwenye forum zenye constructive critics.
Samahani naomba kujua huyo John Mashaka ni Mtanzania au? hayo mambo anayosaidia ni kwa watanzania ususani wasiojiweza inakuwaje article zake za kiingeleza? Naomba mwenye ufafanuzi zaidi anisaidie....
ReplyDeleteMdau Malaysia
I agree with most of you in here. I mean, the only problem with a very long speech is that its easy for many people to loose focus, so its best if you just get to the point and add in few jokes.
ReplyDeletemdau kanada + US
John Mashaka, I wish people could see the world the way you see it ... your peace and human dignity speech brings hope to the despair!
ReplyDelete