Sheha – village leader

WHO AM I?

My name is Musa Makame Musa. I am 71 years old. I have eight children, 5 daughters and 3 sons. I was born in this Kibeni village and live here to this day. For over 15 years I have been the leader of a village where 3,300 people live.

Take care of yourself, of your health. We were born to have a good and happy life

When children ask me what life is about, I tell them that they have to take care of their health. I have never smoked for 71 years and I have never drunk any alcohol. I do not use any chemical things. All my children follow me. None of them smokes, drinks alcohol or uses any stimulants. These are their roots, the roots of their upbringing. Young people drink because their family did not take good care of them, did not pay them attention, did not watch over them when they were young, when they were growing up. Then they would leave home to seek freedom so that no one would control them. They would meet different people who introduce them to different ways of entertainment, suggest alcohol. The young person begins to drink. He returns home an addict. He has no more strength to work. Alcohol has taken all his energy. For me, even if the son is an adult, it is not good that he acts like that. Also for the sake of mother-son and mother-daughter relationships. I do not accept such behaviour. We were born to have a good and happy life. To have good health. If we do not care about our health, it means that we do not want to live well and happily. If you have good health, you can be rich, you can study, you can do whatever you want in your life.

Work also to help others

We should work hard for our life, to live. If you do not work hard, you do not have a good life. Then the temptation to steal is born. What is difficult to accept, what I do not like, when people abuse alcohol, stimulant. Is, if you drink too much, you lose your life, you lose the opportunity to work. Then you start to steal. I would like children to study and engage in work to advance their lives. I’m over 70 but I still look young, because I’ve always worked, I work a lot and I still do it. I like to work. Maybe that’s why God still gives me health and a young look. Maybe also because I was born to help others. I started by building a school and a road. I try to help people in every situation. I’m not a rich man. I am an employee on a salary. My salary is not big. I have my farm. I’m not rich but always, if someone comes to me, I will share what I have.

Respect begins at home 

You have to respect all people in the world. All people who appear in your life. This is important from the very beginning, when you arrive into this world thanks to your mother and father, grow by them. It is important for parents to teach children to respect others. It starts with learning to respect each other at home. Respect for my father and mother. But also parents are the first teachers of respect, how they respect each other. Respect is an element of our culture. This is the Zanzibaris’ culture.  But, if you go back in history, in the past you will see that respect is being spoken of in every religion: Muslim, Christian or any other. This is an element of our human culture. Lack of respect destroys culture and religion.

Learn for your good future

All people should have access to education and to learn. I now have two daughters who are not yet married. One has graduated from high school, the other is studying at Zanzibar University. I would like them to continue to study and gain knowledge. Knowledge is for everyone, it is the future and the wealth.

The family that sticks together 

What gives me happiness is to see all my children, all my daughters and sons sitting together. They give each other love and love their mother and father. Then I feel very happy. My family is still together. Next to our father’s and mother’s house, there are houses of my brothers and my children. We eat meals together, help each other. But it is not like this everywhere. Now, even families do not stick together because of political differences. I wish all my life that my family would be together after my death. To find a way for the whole family to stay together and support each other. Today, when I see everyone sitting together, I am proud. From today I would like to invite you to my family. You will be one of us. You will not be alone. My home is open to you, whenever you want to come, we will always welcome you. This is your home. If you ask for help, we will always help you. If you go back to Europe, you can feel that you have your family here in Zanzibar.