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World's Most Dangerous Roads | Tanzania: Young Guns on the Road | Free Documentary

Free Documentary・31 minutes read

The Katanga road in Tanzania is perilous but crucial for the region, supporting businesses and farmers. Individuals like Mecinus and Jerome rely on the road for their livelihoods, facing challenges but also finding opportunities for success through hard work and determination.

Insights

  • The MMA Katanga road in Tanzania is a crucial but perilous route connecting Dar es Salaam with neighboring countries, supporting businesses and farmers despite its extreme gradients and risks.
  • Individuals like Mecinus, Jerome, and aspiring bus owners Samson and Alberto navigate challenges such as rising costs, school expenses, and road dangers, highlighting the diverse struggles and aspirations of those relying on the Katanga road for their livelihoods.

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Recent questions

  • What is the most dangerous road in Tanzania?

    MMA Katanga

  • How much does a bus trip from Dar es Salaam cost?

    $18

  • What challenges do young farmers in Tanzania face?

    Rising diesel costs and tough planting conditions

  • How do students in Tanzania earn money during holidays?

    Selling grilled corn

  • What is the cost of training at a local driving school in Tanzania?

    $160

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Summary

00:00

Perilous Katanga Road: Vital Lifeline in Tanzania

  • The most dangerous road in Tanzania, MMA Katanga, connects Dar es Salaam with neighboring countries like Congo, Zambia, and Malawi.
  • The road is only 8 km long but has extreme gradients and deep abysses, making it perilous for hundreds of coaches and trucks daily.
  • Despite its dangers, the highway is vital for the region, supporting numerous businesses and farmers who rely on it for survival.
  • The aringa region, with its young population, heavily depends on transport like tuk-tuks and buses for commuting.
  • The Eumo bus station in Dar es Salaam sees over 100 buses departing daily, with passengers stocking up on essentials before the 10-hour journey.
  • The bus trip costs around $18, with strict ticket reservations and inspections ensuring punctuality and full occupancy.
  • Mecinus, a young farmer, struggles to maintain his onion farm, facing challenges like rising diesel costs and tough planting conditions.
  • Mecinus hopes for a good harvest to support his family, as he dreams of sending his sons to school for a better future.
  • In Tanzania, getting a driver's license at 18 is common, but strict rules apply, especially for professional drivers regarding alcohol consumption.
  • The Katanga road poses risks due to overcrowding, leading to risky overtaking maneuvers and occasional accidents, emphasizing the need for caution and experience.

26:12

"Teen Entrepreneur's Corn Business Funds Education"

  • During school holidays, Jerome buys corn from a neighboring farmer for 200 Shillings per corn, equivalent to around 8 American cents.
  • Jerome and his friends sell the grilled corn for 2.5 times the buying price, with truck drivers being their best customers.
  • On good days, Jerome makes a profit of 50,000 Shillings, while bad days result in only 20,000 Shillings profit.
  • The profit earned from selling corn is used to buy school supplies and clothes, with Jerome saving most of the money for future needs.
  • Students at the local driving school pay $160 for training, with private schools receiving $100 and the state $60.
  • Trainee drivers first practice gear shifting in a simulator before moving on to real cars, aiming to get their driver's license quickly.
  • A mechanic at a truck workshop near Katanga recalls a near-electrocution incident while working on vehicle repairs.
  • The workshop rebuilds vehicles with custom modifications, ensuring everything fits according to customer desires.
  • The workshop employees use a crane to lift vehicles for repairs quickly, with serious accidents being a significant source of income.
  • Flora, a 21-year-old, manages a poly culture agriculture farm, raising tilapia and catfish for sale, along with chickens, geese, and turkeys.

54:59

"Fish farming and bus ownership dreams"

  • Expansion plans are crucial for future success in fish farming, including the establishment of fish farm workshops, breeding centers, and driving schools to attract more buyers and ensure safety on the highway.
  • Samson and Alberto aim to own buses for transportation, with Samson expressing his dream of becoming a bus owner within two years, starting with a small bus to navigate the dangerous roads towards Dar Salam.
  • A student driver on the Katanga road in Tanzania faces challenges in learning to drive, emphasizing the importance of practice, confidence, and experience to navigate the treacherous road and achieve a regular income through driving big trucks and buses.
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