The United Republic of Tanzania or just simply Tanzania is a country in the central-eastern region of Africa, bordered by Kenya and Uganda. The Simpson family visit it after Homer wins a competition from an old box of animal crackers. The former president is Muntu and the current president is Kitenge, formerly a tour guide of the Masai Mara safari trip.
Trivia[]
- A joke was made while the Simpson family were on the airplane about Tanzania constantly changing its name from Tanzania, to New Zanzibar and then to Pepsi presents: New Zanzibar. The joke may refer to Tanzania's name-changing of the past, changing the name of the country three times in the same year; the country and its name were formed in April 1964 through a merger between Tanganyika and Zanzibar and was at first called the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar before being renamed Tanzania in October 1964.https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/united-republic-tanganyika-and-zanzibar-renamed-united-republic-tanzania However, it has been reported that soon after the episode aired, a new Pepsi affiliate in Tanzania called SBC Tanzania Limited was incorporated on April 5, 2001.https://www.linkedin.com/company/sbc-tanzania-ltd--pepsi- In May 2001, Fahari Beverages, Pepsi's former affiliate in Tanzania, showed animosity to its former business partner by suing for damages and breach of contract. https://allafrica.com/stories/200105140324.html In July 2001, three months after the episode aired, the Tanzania government appointed Zanzibar politician Ali Mohamad Shein, who has been serving of President of Zanzibar since 2010, as Vice President. http://www.ikuluzanzibar.go.tz/en/about/category/the-president
- Jakaya Kiwete, who succeeded the real-life President of Tanzania who was serving when the episode aired, greatly invested in expanding Tanzania's tourism industry when he served as President between 2005 and 2015. https://allafrica.com/stories/201504080685.html Kitenge, The Simpson family's tour guide in the country, would become President after overthrowing former President Muntu before the family departed. Kitenge is also the name for a clothing fabric worn by many Muslim women in African countries.https://www.pinterest.com/rizq0748/kitenge-muslim-wear/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/855121047972474892/
- In 2021, Tanzania Vice President Samia Suluhu, a Zanzibar native, became the first female President of Tanzania. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/africa/2021-03-18-samia-suluhu-tanzania-to-get-first-female-president/ She also is Muslim and publicly dresses in traditional Islamic clothing designated for women, though colors have differed.https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/africa/2021-03-18-samia-suluhu-tanzania-to-get-first-female-president/ https://www.radioislam.org.za/a/samia-suluhu-hassan-to-be-sworn-is-as-first-female-tanzanian-president-following-passing-of-john-magufuli/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=samia-suluhu-hassan-to-be-sworn-is-as-first-female-tanzanian-president-following-passing-of-john-magufuli https://www.myjoyonline.com/samia-suluhu-hassan-the-woman-set-to-become-tanzanias-next-president/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=samia-suluhu-hassan-the-woman-set-to-become-tanzanias-next-president Ironically, it was two native African female airline stewardesses who informed the passengers on the plane The Simpsons were flying on of Tanzania's new name. In the neighboring country of Kenya, some local media also aired the speech where she announced the death of her successor John Magufuli. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMV4GiybKY4 The Masai Mara wildlife reserve which the Simpson family visited during their Africa trip is located in Kenya.
