Shaaban Robert

Shaaban Robert is to the Swahili language what Shakespeare was to English. Acclaimed as the national poet, his publications have always been the touchstone of beauty of language, purity of spirit, and deep wisdom informed by African and Swahili culture in particular, but imbued with respect for and understanding of other cultures. Most prominent of his work is Kusadikika (To be believed), an allegorical work of an imaginary country or state in which injustices are perpetrated against all notions of justice, law and humanity. Published at the height of colonial occupation in Tanzania.

Shaaban Robert kwa lugha ya Kiswahili ni sawa na Shakespeare kwa lugha ya Kiingereza. Akikubalika kama msahiri wa taifa, vitabu vyake daima vimekuwa kipimo cha juu cha uhondo wa lugha, usafi wa nia na hekima kutokana na utamaduni hususan wa Kiafrika na Waswahili lakini pia kwa jnsi alivyoelewa na kusheshimu tamadui nyingine. Katika vitabu vyake Kusadikika ndicho maarufu kushinda vyote. Hii ni hadithi ya kiistara juu ya nchi ambako dhulma inatawala kinyume na haki, sheria na utu. Kitabu kilichapishwa wakati ukoloni umetanda nchini Tanzania.