Men The Podcast

Why are men so obsessed with power and being seen in control of everything? Is that what makes a real man? Where did this obsession come from? What impact does it have when it comes to men and relationships? Have you ever heard of the wheel of control? Have you ever been trapped in it? Have you ever trapped someone in it? Is the wheel of power toxic? Can we eliminate the men’s desire to take hold of the wheel of power and control?

Enters Rajab Mziray, an active member of Men Engage Tanzania, a network that aims at breaking the cycle of men’s toxic masculinity habits and involving men in the conversation of gender equality.

In this episode, he sits with Michael and Nadia. He discusses a man’s obsession with power and control, how society has championed these habits for the longest time, and the importance of men being willing to address this openly to become better men and humans.

At the age of just 21 years old, Idris Sultan won the grand prize of $300,000 from Big Brother Africa House. He lost it all by the age of 23 and he was sinking in debts. He got his life together and cleared his debts by 24, and made three times the money he had lost by the age of 25. Sounds like a story made for Hollywood or Nollywood, right? I mean, for most of us probably that would be the end of us, and we would never be able to pick ourselves up and start again. BUT Idris is not most of us.

He joins Nadia and Michael, to talk about his story of resilience and how the best thing to ever happen to him was probably losing that money. He takes them on a ride of how he has had to build himself up as a human being and as a man to become the powerhouse he is right now. His fears on commitment, his views on love, the things he stands for, the price of fame, his mental health struggles, and why it is so important for him to look after his mental health.

But then again, this is Idris, he hit us with the breaking news about his future moves towards the end of the podcast. Enjoy the conversation

Given Edward has mastered the tech world, has his own company, he has traveled the world and has received an award from the Queen. Having done all that at the age of just 27, Given looks like he has accomplished it all. And let’s be real, the man has done well for himself. It’s almost tempting to pin it purely on luck. However, as far as luck is concerned, Given would have been considered unlucky from the day he was born. 

Raised only by his mother, who had no job, after his father ran away before Given (and his twin) were even born; Given shares how that made him grow up quicker and view responsibilities differently from a younger age. He also shares how the experience shapes how he views relationships, both personal and in business. 

Michael and Nadia walk with Given on this journey of today’s episode as he opens about his vulnerabilities, his fears, and his struggles, emotionally. He also shares his successes and his pride in being a man enough to open up about this in this episode.

Black Tax has always existed in our African communities. It is what has helped most of our parents to achieve what they have been able to achieve BUT also, some say it has limited their potentials.

As modern men, most of us are the beneficiaries of this system. Through the whole community chipping in and helping out, some of the men in our communities were able to live up to and achieve their full potentials. Now, is it a must for them to pay back their dues by helping others?

Is Black Tax creating a vicious cycle that we can’t get out of or this is the way that all of us can help each other out from the pool of poverty? Matter of fact, IS THERE ANY PROBLEM WITH BLACK TAX?

Michael and Nadia have a deep conversation with Samwel Ndandala, a financial guru in Tanzania about the concept of Black Tax and its impact on the modern society

Kusoma nje ya nchi ya Tanzania kuna mpa mtu faida nyingi sana ukilinganisha na ambae hatapata nafasi hiyo. Vitu kama ubora wa elimu na “exposure” anayoipata si vitu vya kubeza hata kidogo. Kwa wengi ambao hawakupata nafasi hiyo huwa wanawaangalia waliopata hizo nafasi kama watu ambao tayari njia yao ya mafanikio imeshasafishwa na imeshachongwa kabisa, uongo?

Lakini je, umeshawahi kujiuliza juu ya maisha ya ughaibuni? Ni namna gani watu wanamudu kuishi mbali na wawapendao kwa muda mrefu? Ni vipi wanaweza pambana na changamoto kama zinazotokana na kuwa mbali na nyumbani? Ni namna gani matarajio ya watu waliobaki nyumbani kwa watu hawa hugeuka kuwa mwiba mchungu kwa walio wengi? Tunajua kwanini wengine hushindwa kurudi nyumbani? Na hata wakirudi, tunafahamu wanayoyapitia?

Webiro “Wakazi” Wasira anaketi na sisi na kutuambia namna mabadiliko haya yanavyoweza aidha kumjenga mtu au kumbomoa kabisa na yeye amewezaje kufika hapa alipo? Alipitia yepi? Nini ni uzoefu wake? Msikilize hapa

As we unravel today’s topic, we relive the fears of modern-day society as affected by the past experiences and history timeline itself. Well - That’s what we call “Mental work” and we at Men Men Men love to partake in the service.

Now, who is a Tanzanian man? What constitutes a Tanzanian Man? What makes a Tanzanian man special? Are they even special? How has Tanzanian history helped shape this man? How does the rest of the world view this man? What are his ethics and values? Do people understand a Tanzanian man? Do they need to? Does he need to wonder if they do?

Do they know the historical and generational trauma he’s had to go through, to get to where he is right now? Do people often wonder like he does, about these things? Do YOU? Are we as a society helping this man in any way, to become the authentic version of himself?

These are the questions that have brought us here today, and the confusing part about these questions is that there is no right or wrong answer. We are all learning, UNLEARNING, and relearning as we navigate this life.

And there you have it, Ladies and gentlemen, the “why” — it was only right for us to have a conversation with one of the great keepers of Tanzanian history, Mr. Mkuki Bgoya.

Mkuki takes us through the Journey of a Tanzanian Man through history’s perspective. He reminds us of how empathetic we need to be towards each other. The details of how history and generational trauma have played a big part in shaping this Tanzanian man are explored during this episode. Additionally, how technology has played a major part in widening the values between different generations of men in Tanzania.

Walk with us through this transcending journey.

Umeshawahi kutaka kufanya kitu ambacho wewe mwenyewe kwa dhati kabisa kutoka moyoni mwako unafahamu kwamba ni ndoto yako na unatamani sana kuitimiza ila watu wanaokuzunguka wasilione hilo wala kukubaliana nalo? Ulifanya nini? Uliweza kukomaa na kutimiza ndoto zako au uliamua kuua ndoto zako na kuishia kufanya kile ambacho kila mtu alikwambie ufanye?

Inahitaji ushujaa, uvumilivu na commitment ya hali ya juu ili kuweza kutimiza ndoto zako, na inakua ngumu zaidi pale ambapo jamii, familia na watu wake wa karibu wanaokuzunguka wanaposhindwa kuamini na kukusaidia kutimiza ndoto ulizonazo.

Phineas Steven kutoka “Unmatched Basketball” anajua vizuri sana kuhusu yote haya, Ila haikumzuia yeye kwenda mbele ili kuhakikisha ndoto yake inatimia. Karibu usikilize maongezi yake, karibu usikilize “unmatched mindset” yake ilivyomfikisha hapa alipo