From On Air - Winter 2000

Sex, Lies, and Kangas

The radio soap opera Twende na Wakati (Let’s Go With the Times) continues to be a big hit in Tanzania, on the air for a record-breaking six years. In the story, Mkwaju, the dissolute husband of Tunu, claims that he cares about his children’s education, but indulges in a life of heavy drinking and promiscuous, unprotected sex. After he starts an affair with his wife’s co-worker, Tunu leaves him. She learns to support herself and her children on her own, building her pride. By the 713th episode, listeners know that Mkwaju has been diagnosed with HIV. In this scene, translated from Ki Swahili, he returns home to his wife, who does not know about the diagnosis. He begs to stay:

Mkwaju: Tunu, please listen to me.

Tunu: Mkwaju, you cannot trick me anymore. You thought I was a fool, but...

Mkwaju: (Coughing) I now understand and have come home.

Tunu: Home? Home? You think that this is your home? Your home is at Tila’s,
your concubine!

Mkwaju: But Tunu, I can’t bear life without you.

Tunu: You can’t? How many years have you been out there?

Mkwaju: Don’t over-analyze me. If you over-examine a chicken you’ll be disgusted and won’t eat.

Tunu: Mkwaju, do not make me angry ... have you forgotten that you actually came home one night and dropped a kanga* from your pocket?

Mkwaju: Tunu, it was the drinking that...

Tunu: Stupid lies. What about the time you infected me with a venereal disease? Was that also because of alcohol?

Mkwaju: (Coughing) You think I knew...

Tunu: Stop lying! Why did you run away from your home?

Mkwaju: You refused to share a bed with me...

Tunu: Did you want to continue infecting me with your venereal diseases? Eh?

Mkwaju: I didn’t know.

Tunu: Listen to me. Did I not tell you why the doctor wanted to see you? You knew you would be found out. You refused to be examined.

Mkwaju: I was eventually examined...

Tunu: Who examined you?

Mkwaju: A ... certain individual.

Tunu: And yet you wanted me to sleep with you?

Mkwaju: Tunu, my love...

Tunu: Get out! What kind of love is this? If I listened to you, where would I be now? Get out!

*Kanga - a woman’s undergarment

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