DAR ES SALAAM: TO our youth, the government’s announcement of 500 job opportunities in the United Arab Emirates for Tanzanian bodaboda riders is more than a recruitment notice.
It is a signal. A signal that the state is actively searching for practical ways to fight youth unemployment and poverty, even beyond our borders.
But it is also a test of discipline, maturity and national character. Through the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Labour Relations, the government has opened a door many young people only dream of.
Two-year contracts with a reputable logistics company in the UAE, medical cover, return tickets, accommodation and meals at the start, and lawful remuneration under UAE labour laws.
This is not luck; it is policy. It reflects a deliberate strategy to connect Tanzanian workers with verified international labour markets while safeguarding their welfare and dignity.
Yet opportunity does not travel alone. It carries responsibility. For years, the bodaboda industry in the country has been both a lifeline and a headache.
It has absorbed thousands of jobless youths, providing income where few alternatives exist.
At the same time, it has been associated with indiscipline: zigzag riding, rough and unauthorised overtaking, jumping traffic lights and general disregard for road rules.
These habits may be tolerated wrongly on our streets, but they will not survive abroad. Those selected to work in the UAE will not just be riders; they will be ambassadors.
Every action, every interaction, every rule followed or broken will reflect not just on the individual but on Tanzania as a nation. One reckless act can close doors for thousands who hope to follow.
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The criteria set as age limits, education, valid licences, experience and English communication skills are not meant to exclude. They are meant to prepare.
The international labour market is competitive, regulated and unforgiving. Discipline is not optional; it is survival. Honesty is not a virtue; it is a requirement. Maturity is not a suggestion; it is a condition.
Government efforts to fight poverty are visible: Overseas employment programmes, skills development, formalisation of informal sectors and youth-focused labour policies.
But no policy can succeed if beneficiaries undermine it through poor conduct. Jobs can be negotiated by officials, but reputations are built by workers.
The youths who will attend interviews in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Tanga must understand this clearly: Carry your documents, yes but also carry your values. Ride by the rules. Respect authority. Deliver services professionally. Learn, adapt and grow.
This opportunity is not an escape from responsibility; it is an elevation of it. If handled well, it can transform lives, support families back home and strengthen Tanzania’s standing abroad. If mishandled, it will reinforce stereotypes and shut future doors. The choice, as always, lies with the youth themselves.
Ride smart. Ride disciplined. Ride for Tanzania. Lastly, young people and the public are warned against dishonest individuals and companies that would demand money or bribes as shortcuts to secure these jobs.
Such offers are scams. The recruitment process is transparent, official and free. Follow established procedures only