Grooming Tanzanians for a competitive market

Modesta Mahiga gave a very inspirational talk at TEDxDar 2010 — she spoke of Human Resource Development and how this could make Tanzania an economic powerhouse.

Through Professional Approach Ltd, Modesta and her team groom Tanzanian youth to thrive in Tanzania, now a highly competitive market, whether they seek jobs or to be job creators. See where all the ‘activisim’ to bring about change began:

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Steven was born and raised in Dar es Salaam, and moved to Germany for his studies. He graduated with a BSc. in Physics (Jacobs University Bremen), and then a MSc. in Engineering Physics (Technische Universität München). Steven is currently pursuing a PhD in Physics (growth of coatings/multilayers for next generation lithography reflective optics) in the Netherlands. He’s thinking about starting his own business in a few years; something high-tech related. At Vijana FM, Steven discusses issues critical to youths in Tanzania, music, sport and a host of other angles. He’s also helping Vijana FM with a Swahili translation project.

This post has 4 Comments

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  1. Truly inspiring!

    I believe Professional Approach’s services are essential in building a competitive Tanzania workforce. However, I wonder if it has programs in cooperation with Government institutions aimed at ‘grooming’ their human resources for professionalism, customer care, team-building and/or accountability. We all know the usual urasimu, inefficiency, and lack of professionalism that we encounter in most government offices. I think such institutions will benefit immensely from services such as those of PA, especially if they are done regularly and encompass all levels of the institution’s workforce.

    Another thing I would love to know is: apart from the corporate word, and public-sector ‘grooming’, is PA willing to expand and perhaps reach Small Entrepreneurs, or small-business farmers? The majority of Tanzanians are the ones who engage in these industries and it would be trully inspiring if they get some sort of insight into business-communication, customer targeting, how to present oneself during loan applications and the like.

    Of course I don’t think PA is a college, nor should it cover with its services the whole nation alone, but I believe outreach should encompass the objectives of such a training organization. To change or influence the Tanzanian psyche to that of competitive nature, there need to be a way to target and reach the majority of the nation.

    Kiufupi, ninadhani PA ni mfano wa kuigwa.

  2. Joji, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if you sent your CV to PA!

    Itakuwa vizuri kama mhusika akija hapa na kutupa majibu mawili matatu; does anyone know how big their company is? How many employees etc.?

    Re: reaching out the majority, I think Modesta has been very sharp to use every possible opportunity or platform out there; writing articles; hosting some TV/Radio shows… na kadhalika.

    But I know what you mean, but she cannot do everything alone, can she? We need more Modesta’s…

  3. I am also a keen follower of Modesta’s talks. In my humble opinion it is also important to offer constructive criticism. For today I have two:

    (1) PA needs to update its website at http://www.pa.co.tz/ regularly and increase its public accessibility, its part of practicing what it preaches.

    (2) I was at herTEDxDAR talk, it made me conclude that it is important to (re)read what Mwalimu Nyerere actually wrote/said about ‘human resources’ and the ‘competitive market’ – for a start we need to (re)visit his last speech on ‘Education for Service and not for Selfishness.’

  4. Excellent presentation, lets hope her energy and main objective will lie and point towards us and those who need it.
    Their website needs more info about their location and contact details.
    I would definitely recommend her to those in need.
    Its another example of us vijana taking initiative for their benefit and for their country.
    Keep it up!

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