Reflections – Zanzibar Diaspora:

Dicota Meeting

From left to right: The late Iddi Hija Suleiman, Nd. Said Natepe, a Volunteer Doctor from Canada and Hassan Hafidh

Written by Ashakh (Kiongozi)  //  10/09/2012   

Mr Hassan Hafidh  of Zanzibar Diaspora Department was most impressive in outlining how he is able to cut through the bureaucracy and corruption, to constructively involve the Zanzibar Diaspora, most of this work being done from the UK where he still resides with his family. 

It certainly helps that he has the close ear of the President of Zanzibar, to override anyone who attempts to slow his team down. The best example was that of a school that badly needed renovations, but with donors reluctant to help because of the red-tape and corruption.

Mr Hafidh was able to coordinate the donations and renovation work, and all the necessary permits and approvals, to accomplish the entire task in less than six months – after which Mh President was able to officiate the re-opening of a brand new school! I loved his example of drafting all key letters and simply bringing them to the responsible people for their review and signature only, once you sign the letter – it is yours! 

He also spoke of the dire need for the Diaspora to be given preferential treatment over non-native foreign citizens, instead of for example now whereby a UK-born citizen is often granted more privilege than a Zanzibar-born UK citizen!

Source: Mzalendo

Mjue Hassan Hafidh wa Zanzibar Diaspora at Ikulu, Zanzibar.