A bright-painted taxi van is driving through the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam. The van (a daladala) turns out to be an actual television studio, in which its passengers are interviewed about their daily lives. This is an original way of Hivos partner Twaweza to offer ordinary citizens a platform to express themselves.
Reality talk show
Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) has launched a unique reality talk show dubbed 'Daladala' which gives a chance to people at grassroots level to air their views and discuss a wide range of issues affecting their daily lives. This show has been sponsored by Hivos partner
Twaweza. "Ordinary people hardly get a chance to express themselves in the Tanzanian media", explains Hivos employee Marjan Besuijen. "By using a daladala as a television recording studio presenters can have a debate with passengers, for example about agriculture they depend on, poverty they struggle with or problems in education and health care."
Free transport
People are allowed to travel with the television taxi free of charge. "The only target is to get their views on various issues affecting their lives," notes Daniel Kijo, one of the presenters of the talk show. "Different topics will be picked, researched and introduced to the passengers for discussion during their rides to daily duties. We aim at raising awareness and encouraging the public to debate on important issues as perceived and experienced by ordinary Tanzanians."
30 minute broadcasts
Daladala TV first went on the air on 16 June 2010 and has 30 minute programmes every day. Mr Abraham Nyantori, a representative from the Information Department, has promised full government support. "This is a very good project that will expose issues touching the daily lives of ordinary citizens," he said.
Written by Global Village Media / Margreet van der Hel.
