Govt moves to recognise Mzee Ngoma’s discovery of tanzanite

Arusha. The government has at last acknowledged the contribution of Jumanne Ngoma to the discovery of tanzanite about 48 years ago, Energy and Minerals minister, Mr George Simbachawene said in Arusha yesterday.

“President (Jakaya) Kikwete has accepted to recognise the job done by Mzee Ngoma,” said the minister, adding that Mr Ngoma would be provided with a Presidential award and a national souvenir.

Mr Ngoma thanked the government for recognising his role in the booming business of the precious stone only found in Tanzania.

“I believe this is just the beginning, the government will continue considering the way I can benefit from the tanzanite discovery,” he added.

Officiating at the 4th Arusha Gem Fair involving about 20 countries from across the world, Mr Simbachawene said the government was committed to support the show whose focus was on securing a reliable market for minerals and gemstones.

Mr Ngoma found tanzanite at Mirerani in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, in early 1967 when he was on his way to visit his relatives at the district headquarters, Kiteto.

Narrating his discovery of tanzanite to an author, Valerio Zancanella, he said when he was walking through the bush he saw long crystals of blue mineral lying on the ground and collected about 5 kilograms.

He borrowed some money, boarded a bus and went to Nairobi, Kenya, where there was much bigger gem market than Arusha.

While in Nairobi, he consulted a foreign firm dealing with precious stone, but they did not know exactly the type of gemstone it belonged to.

He left the five kilograms of the tanzanite in exchange for a return ticket valued at $5 and a promise that the firm would let him know once they identified it.

The ministry has organized the three-day fair in collaboration with the Tanzania Mineral Dealers

Association, according to Peter Pereira, the chairman of the AGF organizing committee. Exports of gemstones has been suspended between April 5, and May 3, this year, to pave the way for show to have adequate products in store for the exhibition which winds up today.

The ban slapped on export of rough tanzanite weighing beyond 1 kilogram has also been lifted to that effect.