Dar youths urged to value adventure, creativity

Raza, whose parents are Indian immigrants, was a speaker in the Shaper talk, which had attendants sharing their ideas with the community, highlighting actionable ideas of innovation.

The talk's topic was titled ‘How can youths deliver value by embracing the essential skills, research, and development tools needed in the digital economy?'

Raza says he always asked the question 'why not?', adding the simple practice led him to expand upon his curiosities and constantly seek new challenges.

Soon after being awarded his Bachelor's degree in Business Management, he joined his family business and simultaneously co-founded an accessories brand known as 'Shona Tanzania'.

Raza reveals he has always been inspired by Tanzania's vibrant culture and the unique skill sets of its people.

According to him, his main focus is to celebrate the continent’s creativity by creating meaningful accessories that would give a sense of identity to people who use it and a source of income for those involved in its making.

In his views, Raza focused on what changes have taken place around and what more needs to be done to ensure the health and well-being of future generations.

Raza says he realized that Africa, and Tanzania in particular, has immense opportunities for growth, learning, and self-development.

“We live in places that are sometimes not completely urban hence allowing opportunities to go outside. However, some people have credible stories,” he says.

He states since people have been practicing a certain culture for several decades, the youths need to take the opportunity to go out and meet anyone they find interesting.

Citing Tanzania, he says some people have amazing stories, adding if one hardly sits down and speaks to them, he/she will not learn much of what he/she can do in the world today.

Raza notes: “Culture is something that is moving, evolving, and growing. Therefore, we have to make sure that we are moving with culture."

"Unless we don’t do that we will be left behind, and the culture we have inherited from our father, cannot accurately be passed to the next generation,” he reveals.

“The next generation that is already challenged by globalization and many technological advances we see today, are bringing global culture but at the same time isolating everyone from his culture” he adds.

He notes that it is important for youths in Tanzania to look into different areas so they can explore something they like to find that is new and will lead to their development.

“Many times, we are very comfortable in our living spaces, places like Dar es Salaam growing so rapidly and becoming technologically advanced, sometimes forgetting other places,” he explains.

Raza notes that rural Tanzania is still developing quite rapidly but developing in a way that the area's residents do not feel convention and because of that when developing outside of the criteria some either misjudge or interpret.

The self-made entrepreneur cautions that youths need to go outside, step out of the office and schools, and go into villages to meet people they had never met and areas they have hardly stepped into before making decisions.

“At the moment I’m a businessman, I’m trying to learn as much as I can about Tanzania's culture, how it is roaming, how it accepts influence, and how it is set to grow in the future,” he said.

He adds: "I work with different artisan groups to create a source of income for them and also portray the broad vision of celebrating African culture daily."

“I hope one day I will create a steady set of people and grow with them in a way that they will grow their talent and grow as youths of Tanzania,” he added.

"You should not shy away from anyone you see, we don’t put a barrier, they have a high chance of replying positively so that you can be able to engage them."

Raza moreover says globalization has led to the increase of moral decay among most of the youths in Tanzania and the decline of the supremacy of the local languages due to the high values offered to the international languages.

Tanzania is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. From the tall graceful Maasai warriors, the ancient ways of the Hadza bushmen, the resourceful agricultural practices of the Wameru, and the artistic talents of the Makonde to the Chaga farmers and traders.

It is a culturally eclectic and largely homogeneous society that is extremely rich in age-old cultures and traditions.

The local population is well known for being friendly and polite to visitors, and there is a strong sense of national pride that reverberates throughout the country.