He serves as a vital voice for the Tanzanian diaspora through his media platform, sharing news from home and conducting interviews with Tanzanian leaders visiting the United States.

It also collaborates extensively with more than 59 media organizations in East Africa, amplifying regional stories and perspectives.

Originally from Bukoba, he makes a journey home every year, where he often meets with young people, offering words of encouragement and discussing ways Tanzania’s youth can build a brighter future.

Having lived in the United States for over two decades, Mubelwa has experienced life in both countries and believes that the future of Tanzania depends on everyone taking responsibility for their own actions.

“Only one word can lead Tanzania to prosperity and that word is accountability. “We could even amend the constitution to include accountability in the rule of law,” he insists.

Bandio explains what he learned about responsibility in the United States.

For example, he notes that even police officers treat suspects like clients, wearing body cameras to ensure transparency and hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.

He recalls an incident where he unknowingly veered off the road while driving.

A police officer following him radioed the station and reported that there might be a drunk driver.

When Bandio was stopped and tested, he was deemed not drunk but was in an exhausted state.

The officer apologized and offered to escort him to the parking lot for a brief rest.

Bandio observed that the police officer strictly followed procedure even though he was armed.

“This is what responsibility creates in a society,” he notes.

Bandio also remembers the time he had to campaign for President Obama’s re-election.

Although he was president, Obama could not use the official presidential helicopter, Marine One, for campaign travel because it was not an official mission.

The Democratic Party had to cover his travel expenses and provide evidence that taxpayer money was not being used for political purposes.

While the United States is by no means perfect, Bandio believes the system is structured on transparency and accountability.

Even in cases of racism, he knows how to hold perpetrators accountable, making sure they face consequences.

He observed that emotions rather than realism influence young people in Tanzania.

He explains that some influential young people publicly support the ideas and decisions of politicians through emotional appeals, even if they know that these actions are not in the country’s interests.

Popularly known as chawa, these youths function as professional praise singers for politicians, celebrities or wealthy individuals.

Their main role is to use their influence, especially on social media, to shower praise on anyone who pays them.

Bandio notes that even though their words were harmful, these chawas were never held accountable for their impact on the youth.

He adds that in any responsible society, people would be held accountable for their own statements and would be haunted by such statements.

However, in Tanzania, politically charged, hostile or inappropriate language is often unopposed and brushed aside as “fair politics.”

“Many young people have adapted to a system that needs to change,” he said. The culture of praising politicians needs to end, but those who benefit financially from it resist change.

Bandio notes with disappointment that some young leaders who were previously part of the diaspora returned to Tanzania just to immerse themselves. uchawa.

Despite their experience abroad and awareness of better practices, they have prioritized personal interests over the public interest.

“I know some of them studied in America and Canada,” he said.

Our country cannot make progress when facts are ignored and we all resort to praise without constructive criticism.

He urges young people to question their political leaders and find out what they plan to do for them before supporting them, and says young people who want to become politicians should do so only for the purpose of serving the public. uchawa and unquestioning loyalty to anything will not heal Tanzania. He gives an example from bongo flava music.

The genre has stagnated and failed to make global progress like Nigerian or South African music, as people praise rich musicians for making a few bucks instead of opening up an honest dialogue about improving the music.

“The music industry has grown, but the quality has not. We don’t have our own sound and you can’t tell me that our music today is better than Remmy Ongala’s time. “That’s why we can’t compete at the international level,” he said.

Similarly, he said that in football, we need to stop blindly supporting teams and ask tough questions about why our national team cannot make progress internationally.

Even our sports commentators have remained largely local.

The number of Tanzanian commentators recruited by SuperSport (DSTV) has decreased compared to previous years.

When he returns to Tanzania, Bandio makes time to speak to secondary school students and is invited to various radio and television stations to share his views.

He believes it is important to help young people imagine their future.

“If there is no destination, everywhere is a destination,” he said.

“We must show young people that the system they live in can make their future possible.”

Bandio observes that Tanzania has more role models than mentors; While role models can inspire, mentors can also guide.

For example, if you aspire to be a journalist, well-known American journalist and CNN host Wolf Blitzer could be your role model; Former BBC presenter Charles Hilary could be your mentor.

“You can’t go to the US to get advice from Wolf, but you can reach out to Mr. Charles for guidance,” he explained.

“We should encourage young people to seek mentors in whatever field, rather than idolizing people who cannot help them progress,” he added.

“Some people can take Messi as a role model, but if they really want to pursue football professionally, they can take Madaraka Seleman as a mentor.”

Bandio advised young people to focus on finding approachable, positive mentors who have been successful in their fields of interest.

Mubelwa, an accomplished man who has overcome many challenges, said he has an “OIGIR” approach to youth: O for observing the environment, I for identifying opportunities, G for gathering necessary resources, I for Implementing Activities and R for Rewarding you to get it in the end.

Referring to the famous inventor Thomas Edison, he said that there is never such a thing as failure in life; “I did not fail. “I found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

He noted that challenges are inevitable when pursuing one’s goals, but to succeed you must get started and not be afraid to take that first step.

Bandio concluded with one of Nelson Mandela’s most inspiring quotes: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”