Aunt Sadaka urged students to not be limited by perceived gender roles in discharging their daily activities, whether be in school or at home. This was stated at Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT) campus during the Gender Day event on the 23rd of January 2020. The occasion sought to educate students, staff members and other attendees on matters pertaining to gender equality and roles. Sadaka Saidi Mtuka, aka (Auntie Sadaka) and Rose Ndauka were the guest speakers for this year’s event.
Auntie Sadaka, a counselling psychologist and lifestyle consultant, defined gender to the audience as roles played by men and women in a society. Her message was that these roles should not be limited to respective genders, but instead to one’s capabilities in the sense that, if a woman, who is expected to not be the breadwinner can work and sustain a family alongside a man, she should do it. Likewise, for men who are expected to be less involved with domestic chores but have the capabilities of being involve should equally do so. The take away lesson was that gender roles can and should overlap whenever possible.
She also talked about gender relationships and career guidance. On relationships, she urged the audience especially women to be very keen on the underlying intentions of one’s partner, whether they intend to participate in a short or long relationship. This point was emphasized because most partners, especially girls in universities enter into relationships for the long haul without proper assessments, leading to heartbreaks, and psychological problems that can affect academic performance.
On career guidance, auntie Sadaka advised students, both boys and girls to prepare for life after university in advance to better position themselves either through employment or/and self-employment. She observed that many graduates find it hard to adjust to life after school, facing hardships in findings jobs and making a decent living. This was, partly but largely due to their school mentality of being socially dominant. This tends to result into frustration and, at times, deviant behaviour. She finally urged students, especially those with a year or so left to graduate or leave school to start thinking of life after College.
Rose Ndauka, an actress and entrepreneur, on her part, gave her insights on gender-related matters, focusing on business and financial management. On business, Miss Ndauka advised the audience to make a great use of social media when running a business for a better and cost-effective reach. She made reference to her own experience with the platforms, saying they contributed to her becoming a household name, reaching millions of followers on social media.
Speaking on gender roles, Rose Ndauka urged both males and females to stop the notion that women must be helped. She went on to note that …“a man should help a woman because he wants to and not because a woman cannot live without a man’s assistance,” On this note, she encouraged the audience, especially the female students to study and work hard for financial independence from men colleagues. Likewise, she also urged men to respect women and help them as a show of respect, love and assistance not because they are helpless without them.
These messages on gender roles and career guidance were followed by remarks from the university management, including the students’ government. Also, audience engagement was granted through a question and answer (Q&A) session where students and other attendees expressed their opinions and asked questions about what was taught by the guest speakers.
Sadaka Saidi Mtuka is a counselling psychologist and lifestyle consultant who is considered one of the best behavioural advisors in Tanzania, according to various reports from a multitude of people who have had the chance to engage with her. The name, Auntie Sadaka was derived from her positive impact on people’s lives whom she considered as, “aunt,” hence, the name, “Auntie Sadaka.” She comes from a humble background that made her pursue a career in influencing the youth by unfolding their inner peace and motivation to strive. With bachelor’s degree in education, and more than 26 years’ experience in the educational and psychological world, Auntie Sadaka has accumulated first-hand experience with toddlers, and teenagers in growth and development.
Currently, Auntie Sadaka is a chairperson of the Tanzania Women of Achievement (TWA) that is a non-Governmental, voluntary and independent Pan-African Organization that employs innovative platforms of engagement for women empowerment. She is also a proud and fulfilled mother with one daughter named, Aziza.
Rose Ndauka, born on October 1989, is a household name in the entertainment industry where she is an actress, writer, director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of her own company called, Ndauka Entertainment. Inspired by her mother at an early age after she discovered her acting talent and Rose being naturally inquisitive, Rose pursued acting at a young age with success up to 2010 when she started her own production and filming company that produces her own movies such as Bad Girl, and The Diary. Her acting prowess landed her a deal with Steps Entertainment to act in Rwandan Genocide films called, “Rwanda Baadaya Vita” – Rwanda after the War that was filmed in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. In 2011, Miss Ndauka’s film writing talent that produced the movie, ‘Because of You’, was seen when she won the 2011 Mini ZIFF’s best film award that co-starred the late Steven Kanumba, another well-known household name at that time.
Her success in the film and entertainment industry expanded her entrepreneurial wings through diverse investments, broadening her financial base that created a ripple effect on inspiring other people, especially women. Through dedication and hard work, she argues, anyone can succeed in being what they can be.
Commenting on the event, the students enjoyed the teachings and the overall experience of the event. They commended the charisma of the speakers and the whole management of the event. More than 100 students attended with drinks and snacks served together with intensive laughter during the speakers’ teaching and discussions.Rose and Auntie Sadaka also showed appreciation on the organizers.
“I enjoyed the reception of the students and university in general for the care and love they showed throughout the event,” said Rose after students were seen stepping on each other’s toes to get a picture with her.
“The event was very important in preparing students to what lays ahead after school,” said aunt Sadaka. She finally had a moment for taking photographs with the students and management.
