PROSPERING OF SOCIETY
Kajubi
It has a
strong wire round it
And you
will heed its beauty.
will heed its beauty.
My
society is prospering;
society is prospering;
The
labour of my society
labour of my society
Is
raising its welfare
raising its welfare
And you
will heed its beauty,
will heed its beauty,
With a
strong wire round it,
strong wire round it,
This
building that houses
building that houses
The
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
The
building of the Ministry
building of the Ministry
For
raising the society’s welfare
raising the society’s welfare
Has a
strong wire round it;
strong wire round it;
The
people who are leading my society
people who are leading my society
In its
struggles to prosper
struggles to prosper
Work
inside the strong wire fence,
inside the strong wire fence,
And we
are outside.
are outside.
And you
will take heed of its beauty
will take heed of its beauty
And it
has a strong wire round it
has a strong wire round it
And its
compound is fabulously decorated
compound is fabulously decorated
With
Volvos, Mercedes, Peugeots,
Volvos, Mercedes, Peugeots,
Gleaming
and glistening.
and glistening.
Near the
building
building
Along
Livingstone Street,
Livingstone Street,
The
prostitute
prostitute
Squats in
the moonlight
the moonlight
Awaiting
a helpful customer:
a helpful customer:
He will
give her money
give her money
And she
will spin her waist under his weight
will spin her waist under his weight
And
relieve him of frustration.
relieve him of frustration.
At least
temporarily.
temporarily.
Next to
this prostitute’s slum
this prostitute’s slum
Is an old
dirty house,
dirty house,
With
leaning walls
leaning walls
Fit
residence for rats.
residence for rats.
It
overflowed last year
overflowed last year
That
latrine of this house;
latrine of this house;
Indeed,
I the
residents of this house
residents of this house
Have
anything in their hands.
anything in their hands.
They have
definitely stopped
definitely stopped
Urinating
and defecating.
and defecating.
This old
dirty house leaks;
dirty house leaks;
The other
day
day
When
there was a heavy downpour
there was a heavy downpour
The house
turned into a pool –
turned into a pool –
Whether
it was due to leaking,
it was due to leaking,
Or where
it is built,
it is built,
Or the
way it is built,
way it is built,
I can’t
tell.
tell.
The
residents call it their shelter,
residents call it their shelter,
But it
can bring their doom any minute.
can bring their doom any minute.
The
residents of this house:
residents of this house:
Two poor
harridans
harridans
And three
young men.
young men.
The
harridans
harridans
Depend on
the rent for existence;
the rent for existence;
The young
men pay the rent.
men pay the rent.
One of
them
them
Is a
teacher in the city.
teacher in the city.
Another
Works
with the blanket manufacturing company,
with the blanket manufacturing company,
The third
is a bus conductor
is a bus conductor
With the
company offering transport
company offering transport
To those
residents of the city
residents of the city
Who have
no Volvos,
no Volvos,
No
Mercedes,
Mercedes,
No
Peugeots.
Peugeots.
Along
Lumumba Road,
Lumumba Road,
Near the
magnificent building
magnificent building
Which
house
house
The
Ministry for Labour and Social Welfare,
Ministry for Labour and Social Welfare,
Is the
film company building,
film company building,
On the
pavement
pavement
Three
beggars:
beggars:
Father,
mother and daughter
mother and daughter
Lie with
outstretched hands
outstretched hands
Leprosy
disfiguring their human shapes.
disfiguring their human shapes.
Mnazi
Mmoja gardens
Mmoja gardens
Are near
this building
this building
Which
houses the Ministry
houses the Ministry
That is
promoting my society’s welfare.
promoting my society’s welfare.
At one
cool spot in the gardens,
cool spot in the gardens,
A group
of young men sit,
of young men sit,
Puffing
their evening dose of bhang.
their evening dose of bhang.
It was on this very spot
That the
blind woman
blind woman
And her
twelve year old daughter –guide
twelve year old daughter –guide
Were
raped yesterday.
raped yesterday.
Stand by
the prostitute’s slum,
the prostitute’s slum,
Or by the
rats-cum-human residence,
rats-cum-human residence,
Or on the
film company building pavement,
film company building pavement,
Or on
this cool Mnazi Mmoja spot,
this cool Mnazi Mmoja spot,
And, for
sure,
sure,
You will
see the building
see the building
That
houses the Ministry
houses the Ministry
For
Labour and Social Welfare.
Labour and Social Welfare.
It has a
strong wire round it
strong wire round it
And you
will head its beauty.
will head its beauty.
INTRODUCTION
Prospering
of the Society is an ironical poem by Kajubi that clearly depicts
the kind of lifestyle that the post independent Tanzanian leaders lived
especially in the early years after independence. The nation tried to make some
efforts to raise the welfare of the masses that was seriously damaged by
colonialists, but ideally ended up building the welfare of the leaders while
the poor are fenced out. This marginalisation results from the fact that the
leaders are caught up in the same luxury lifestyle just like their colonial
masters from whom they got power.
of the Society is an ironical poem by Kajubi that clearly depicts
the kind of lifestyle that the post independent Tanzanian leaders lived
especially in the early years after independence. The nation tried to make some
efforts to raise the welfare of the masses that was seriously damaged by
colonialists, but ideally ended up building the welfare of the leaders while
the poor are fenced out. This marginalisation results from the fact that the
leaders are caught up in the same luxury lifestyle just like their colonial
masters from whom they got power.
THEMATIC
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
The poem has discussed a lot of themes that it is
hard to exhaust them all. Some of these themes include; poverty, betrayal, marginalisation, disillusionment, moral decay
(Immorality) and classes.
hard to exhaust them all. Some of these themes include; poverty, betrayal, marginalisation, disillusionment, moral decay
(Immorality) and classes.
POVERTY
The poem has almost entirely centred on discussing
the kind of life that the poor people of independent Tanzania lived. He shows
that while there were some efforts made to improve their lives, the poor
remained as poor as before. There are numerous images that symbolise poverty in
the poem.
the kind of life that the poor people of independent Tanzania lived. He shows
that while there were some efforts made to improve their lives, the poor
remained as poor as before. There are numerous images that symbolise poverty in
the poem.
Prostitution; the young woman is seen busy hunting for men in
the moonlight since she can’t afford the life expenses. She has decided to
lower her human dignity into a commodity for sale.
The
prostitute
prostitute
Squats in
the moonlight
the moonlight
Awaiting
a helpful customer
a helpful customer
He will
give her money
give her money
Poor living condition; the
images of dirty and leaking houses, slums and beggars give an impression of how
terrible the condition is for poor people.
Next to
this prostitute’s slum
this prostitute’s slum
Is an old
dirty house
dirty house
With
leaning walls
leaning walls
Fit
residence for rats
residence for rats
We are even told that the house they live in, is in
a worse condition to the extent that it can bring death to them at any time.
a worse condition to the extent that it can bring death to them at any time.
The
residents call it their shelter
residents call it their shelter
But it
can bring their doom any minute
can bring their doom any minute
CLASSES
The poem discusses three types of classes existing
in this society. High class (bourgeoisie), middle class (workers) and lower
class (poor people).
in this society. High class (bourgeoisie), middle class (workers) and lower
class (poor people).
High
class.
The poet shows that there are those who live
extravagantly by buying expensive cars and work inside the fenced building.
These have Volvos, Mercedes and Peugeots.
extravagantly by buying expensive cars and work inside the fenced building.
These have Volvos, Mercedes and Peugeots.
And its
compound is fabulously decorated
compound is fabulously decorated
With
Volvos, Mercedes,
Peugeots,
Volvos, Mercedes,
Peugeots,
Gleaming and glistening
Middle
class
This comprises few employees but who still find it
difficult to earn a living due to low salaries. It includes teachers, factory
workers and bus conductors. They represent a lot of people who go to work on
public transport because they can’t afford to buy their own cars.
difficult to earn a living due to low salaries. It includes teachers, factory
workers and bus conductors. They represent a lot of people who go to work on
public transport because they can’t afford to buy their own cars.
One of them
Is a teacher in the city.
Another
Works with the blanket manufacturing company
The third is a bus conductor
With the company offering transport
To those residents of the city
Who have no Volvos
No Mercedes
No Peugeots
At the
bottom is lower class.
These have no jobs, and no any means of earning a
living. The only means they opt for is to roam about in the streets hunting for
money from willing Samaritans. These comprise beggars, prostitutes, the blind
and her daughter, drug abusers etc.
living. The only means they opt for is to roam about in the streets hunting for
money from willing Samaritans. These comprise beggars, prostitutes, the blind
and her daughter, drug abusers etc.
On the pavement
Three beggars:
Father, mother and daughter
Lie with outstretched hands
Leprosy disfiguring their human shape
MARGINALISATION
The poet satirises the idea of lifting social
welfare of the mass by the high class because the leaders have created a
barrier that has put the masses at the periphery. He shows that the building
that houses the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has a strong wire round
it. He repeats this phrase several times to show this irony.
welfare of the mass by the high class because the leaders have created a
barrier that has put the masses at the periphery. He shows that the building
that houses the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has a strong wire round
it. He repeats this phrase several times to show this irony.
He shows that those who work inside the fence have
luxury cars parked outside. The image of a fence may not necessarily imply the
literal fence but in a broader sense it may also imply the boundary that exists
between the poor and the rich. The fact that the poor can’t afford the services
of the rich, acts like a fence. The poet says;
luxury cars parked outside. The image of a fence may not necessarily imply the
literal fence but in a broader sense it may also imply the boundary that exists
between the poor and the rich. The fact that the poor can’t afford the services
of the rich, acts like a fence. The poet says;
The
people who are leading my society
people who are leading my society
In its
struggle to prosper
struggle to prosper
Work
inside the strong wire fence
inside the strong wire fence
And we
are outside
are outside
DISILLUSIONMENT/DISAPPOINTMENT
The persona seems to be disappointed by the fact
that the officials of Ministry of Labour and Social welfare that were supposed
to take care of the poor are the same who are caught up in luxury living while
the poor are marginalised.
that the officials of Ministry of Labour and Social welfare that were supposed
to take care of the poor are the same who are caught up in luxury living while
the poor are marginalised.
The poor people are suffering, and raped; they
smoking marijuana just a few meters from the offices that raise people’s
welfare but nobody takes notice of them.
Still some people live in slums, have no food, engage in prostitution,
smoke bhang and are raped. All these show how these people are disappointed by
the kind of independence they got. They have remained watchers of the game. To
show his disillusionment the persona says;
smoking marijuana just a few meters from the offices that raise people’s
welfare but nobody takes notice of them.
Still some people live in slums, have no food, engage in prostitution,
smoke bhang and are raped. All these show how these people are disappointed by
the kind of independence they got. They have remained watchers of the game. To
show his disillusionment the persona says;
The people who are leading my society
In its struggle to prosper
Work inside the strong wire fence
And we are outside
MORAL
DECAY (IMMORALITY)
DECAY (IMMORALITY)
Due to the fact that the leaders are not concerned
with the welfare of the mass, the common people have decided to engage
themselves in evil lifestyles. The poet discusses three critical cases of moral
corruption.
with the welfare of the mass, the common people have decided to engage
themselves in evil lifestyles. The poet discusses three critical cases of moral
corruption.
Prostitution. This
means having sex with people in exchange for money. The young woman engages in
prostitution due to moral decay in the society.
Drug
abuse. This means illegal use of drugs or the use of illegal drugs. The young
men are seen sitting smoking marijuana (bhang) just at the garden near the
building of the ministry. This is due to moral decay.
Raping. Forcing
to have sex with someone by violence or threats of violence or the child under
18. The blind woman and her 12-year old daughter are raped due to moral decay.
BETRAYAL
This is a common theme in African literature.
Leaders who took power from colonialists are no better than their colonialist
predecessors. They have betrayed the people who fought for independence by
living luxuriously while the masses live miserably. We are even told that these
poor people don’t live far from the ministry responsible for them; they just
live beside the walls of the building. The idea of fencing the poor out implies
betrayal.
Leaders who took power from colonialists are no better than their colonialist
predecessors. They have betrayed the people who fought for independence by
living luxuriously while the masses live miserably. We are even told that these
poor people don’t live far from the ministry responsible for them; they just
live beside the walls of the building. The idea of fencing the poor out implies
betrayal.
Stand by the prostitute’s slum,
Or by the rats-cum-human residence,
Or on the film company building pavement
Or on this cool Mnazi Mmoja spot,
And, for sure,
You will see the building
That houses the ministry
For Labour and Social Welfare
It has a strong wire round it
And you will head its beauty.
HYPOCRISY.
This is a behaviour in which somebody pretends to
have moral standards or opinions that they do not actually have. The leaders in
this society are hypocrites. They pretend to have the welfare of the masses at
heart but the fact is they are just working to benefit themselves. Fences in
this poem represent marginalization. The masses are fenced out by the same
people who should help them.
have moral standards or opinions that they do not actually have. The leaders in
this society are hypocrites. They pretend to have the welfare of the masses at
heart but the fact is they are just working to benefit themselves. Fences in
this poem represent marginalization. The masses are fenced out by the same
people who should help them.
The people who are leading my society
In its struggle to prosper
Work inside the strong wire fence
And we are outside
But also these people live a luxury and expensive
lifestyle far away from that of common people (citizens) who are suffering.
lifestyle far away from that of common people (citizens) who are suffering.
And its compound is fabulously decorated
With Volvos, Mercedes, Peugeots,
Gleaming and glistening
GUIDING QUESTIONS
a)
LANGUAGE USE
LANGUAGE USE
The poem has used a very simple language and easy to understand.
The poet has also carefully selected words that carry his message across
easily. E.g. prostitute, blind, slum, beggars, Volvos, Mercedes, and Peugeots,
to show the disparity in life among the citizens in this country.
The poet has also carefully selected words that carry his message across
easily. E.g. prostitute, blind, slum, beggars, Volvos, Mercedes, and Peugeots,
to show the disparity in life among the citizens in this country.
b) Figures
of speech
of speech
Ø
Imagery. There are a lot of images that make us see life in its reality. These
include;
Imagery. There are a lot of images that make us see life in its reality. These
include;
o
Visual
images; Slums, dirty house, beggars, blind etc these are images of poverty.
Visual
images; Slums, dirty house, beggars, blind etc these are images of poverty.
o
Volvos, Mercedes, and Peugeots are images of richness.
Volvos, Mercedes, and Peugeots are images of richness.
Ø
Symbolism.
Symbolism.
“The strong wire fence” represents
the gap/barrier between the rich and the poor.
the gap/barrier between the rich and the poor.
Ø
Satire.
Satire.
“The people who
are leading my society/ in its struggle to prosper/ work inside the strong wire
fence/ and we are outside”
are leading my society/ in its struggle to prosper/ work inside the strong wire
fence/ and we are outside”
It is satirical to think that people who are
responsible for people’s welfare are fencing themselves.
responsible for people’s welfare are fencing themselves.
Ø
Allusion. The poet makes several references to real geographical
places in the city of Dar-es-Salaam. E.g. Street names, Lumumba, Livingstone,
Mnazi Mmoja etc.
Allusion. The poet makes several references to real geographical
places in the city of Dar-es-Salaam. E.g. Street names, Lumumba, Livingstone,
Mnazi Mmoja etc.
Ø
Irony. The title of the poem “prospering
of society” is ironical because we don’t see any efforts in attempt to make
the society prosper, but the opposite is true.
Irony. The title of the poem “prospering
of society” is ironical because we don’t see any efforts in attempt to make
the society prosper, but the opposite is true.
Ø
Euphemism. He describes the act of making love in an indirect
way.
Euphemism. He describes the act of making love in an indirect
way.
He
will give her money
will give her money
And
she will spin her waist under his weight
she will spin her waist under his weight
And
relieve him of frustration
relieve him of frustration
Ø
Parallelism
Parallelism
Who have no Volvos
No Mercedes
No Peugeots
c) What
type of the poem is this?
type of the poem is this?
This is a modern/Freeverse poem. It has 11 stanzas of
unequal number of verses and uneven length of verses.
unequal number of verses and uneven length of verses.
d) What
is the tone and mood of the poem?
is the tone and mood of the poem?
The tone and mood are both sympathetic and
ironical/satirical. At one point the persona sympathises with those in the
lower class but ironically it shows that those who are central to help the poor
have fenced themselves and are busy enjoying life while the poor are suffering
with no help.
ironical/satirical. At one point the persona sympathises with those in the
lower class but ironically it shows that those who are central to help the poor
have fenced themselves and are busy enjoying life while the poor are suffering
with no help.
e) Who
is the persona and how do you know?
is the persona and how do you know?
The persona is a citizen from a poor class (the
marginalised ones). We see this in lines 11-14 of the second stanza.
marginalised ones). We see this in lines 11-14 of the second stanza.
The
people who are leading my society/ in its struggle to prosper/ work inside the
strong wire fence/ and we are outside
people who are leading my society/ in its struggle to prosper/ work inside the
strong wire fence/ and we are outside
f) What
is the message of the poem?
is the message of the poem?
Ø
The
leaders should be genuine in dealing with people’s welfare.
The
leaders should be genuine in dealing with people’s welfare.
Ø
Prostitution
and drug abuse are not solutions to poverty.
Prostitution
and drug abuse are not solutions to poverty.
Ø
Classes
are obstacles to development.
Classes
are obstacles to development.
Ø
The
resources of the country ought to benefit not only the ruling class but also
the mass.
The
resources of the country ought to benefit not only the ruling class but also
the mass.
Ø
Leaders
should not be hypocrites.
Leaders
should not be hypocrites.
Ø
Betrayal
of the masses by the leaders hinders development.
Betrayal
of the masses by the leaders hinders development.
g) RELEVANCE.
Ø
The
poem is relevant to our society today due to the fact that it discusses common
problems facing Tanzanians today.
The
poem is relevant to our society today due to the fact that it discusses common
problems facing Tanzanians today.
Ø
Moral
decay is at its height now. Raping, drug addiction and trafficking,
prostitution, poor living condition are common phenomena in big towns in
Tanzania. For example the situation described here can be seen at Jangwani area
in Dar es salaam city.
Moral
decay is at its height now. Raping, drug addiction and trafficking,
prostitution, poor living condition are common phenomena in big towns in
Tanzania. For example the situation described here can be seen at Jangwani area
in Dar es salaam city.
Ø
The
gap between poor and rich is increasing day by day; the poor get poorer and the
rich get richer.
The
gap between poor and rich is increasing day by day; the poor get poorer and the
rich get richer.
