Diary of a Mjengo girl

Wamaku's saloonist neighbour, Khadija, had a man over last night. From how neatly dressed he was, it is safe to assume he was from out of town, probably from the city. His Toyota ist looks a little old but at least he has one unlike Wamaku. The foreman's house is next to the gate so automatically, that's where the parking is. He is not happy about it but the other neighbours managed to quiet him down when he started complaining about the vehicle blocking his door. They told him to bring a lady over maybe that would reduce his irritable behaviour.  It has been a while since Wamaku had a lady over at his house. At least that's what his neighbours are saying. They decided that minding their own business is something they weren't interested in doing and Wamaku knows this. This particular saloonist has been the main character in this. One time Wamaku paid her Tshs 10,000 to not tell people that his wife had beaten him up the previous night and that he had gone to seek re...

Ah, the construction industry—a world of hard hats, heavy machinery, and...high heels? Yes, you heard that right! For the fearless women taking on mjengo all over the world, it's not just about mastering the art of wielding a hammer; it's about balancing on steel beams in stilettos while negotiating with stubborn contractors and dodging falling debris—all with a touch of lipstick and a sprinkle of sass. But let's be real—women in construction face challenges that are no laughing matter. From battling stereotypes about "women's work" to dealing with the not-so-subtle stares from colleagues who can't believe they're seeing a female foreman, the road to success is paved with plenty of potholes. Picture this: You're on-site, giving directions to the crew, when suddenly, your perfectly manicured nails become the topic of conversation. "How does she keep them so clean?" they whisper, as if nail polish is somehow incompatible with mastering blue...