Tanzanian Association Oslo

Is the Prez ’gainfully’

employed?

Adam Lusekelo
Dar es Salaam

WAIT for one big, fat minute! Is the Prez, Jack Mrisho in the process of his wardrobe? I mean, is the Prez getting fat?

I have been studying photos and all those ’pauses’ he performs in news rags and on telly and I can swear that Jack is now living ’gainfully’. Gaining those extra kilos! His increasingly well nurtured visage is that of a man who not only eats well, but drinks well as well.

This must be a plot in the inner circles around him at Ikulu. Maybe they have changed the nutritionist and he puts before ’mzee’ those foods loaded with all those extra calories.

When he was not the prez, Jack might have just been grabbing a cup of coffee before going to his desk. But at Ikulu there are all those chefs eager to please bwana mkubwa.

Some assorted juices, fruit, beef, sausages, eggs, toasts, butter and marmalade would be pressed on him. Lunchtime. Hefty and rich foods appear presented by an array of chefs. By simply lifting his hand and his glass of whatever he is drinking is refilled. After you have eaten contentedly you go for a well-deserved siesta.

Later he has to go to Swazi to meet other presidents. In the plane young bints fall all over themselves to serve him. Once he lands in Swazi, the youthful King Mswati is waiting for him with a state banquet.

Tomorrow is a repeat of lovely repasts to eat. His matching clothes for the day are lined up by his valet. It’s a great life.

Come to think of it even I too would have also piled the kilos. But even mine is not a bad life. I start the day with tea without milk and two mandazis or a chapati.

That is before the house-girl ’presents’ me with a list of things I am supposed to buy. ’’Mzee we have run out of rice, mboga and charcoal. And, oh I forgot, we have no sugar left,’’ she says.

’’No rice? Must you bloody eat rice everyday? Why don’t you do ugali? And you can’t eat meat everyday. Do eat some beans. They are healthier!’’ you growl.

You give a nasty look and give her what money you have. Now that is not a recipe of piling the kilos to your body. And you have no valet. You might leave what you call your home wearing different coloured socks!

On a day which you have a few ’vijisenti’, you might nip to the nearest bar in the morning to treat yourself with some goat gut-soup (supu ya utumbo). Then you start worrying about what your family will have for lunch. The constant stress is hardly stuff to make you fat.

But with our Jack. He does not have to worry. All he has to do is order for a state-of-the art gym for him to wallow his time away.

E-mailto:mbwene2@yahoo.com

Source: ThisDay (Tanzania)