Saida Karoli, a renowned Tanzanian composer and singer of traditional songs, recently shared her reflections on past regrets and financial mismanagement during her musical career.
Known for her vibrant presence in the music scene during earlier years, Karoli has been less visible recently.
In an exclusive interview with Global TV, she revealed the reasons behind her diminished public presence and her current lifestyle.
Karoli disclosed that she relocated from the bustling commercial city of Dar es Salaam to her hometown Bukoba in the Kagera region, where she now lives a simpler life, even engaging in hunting to make ends meet.
Despite her musical success in Dar es Salaam, she admitted that she failed to secure long-term financial stability or build a house during her years in the city.
“Dar nilikata tamaa nikarudi Mwanza na nilikuwa nafanya kazi na Wasukuma. Ilikuwa ni kazi ngumu sana ambapo hakuna hata nyumba ya kulala, ni pori hadi pori. Ile kazi mimi niliamua kujikaza ili nipate nyumba, nipate kiwanja na nijenge,” Karoli recounted.
She explained that she struggled significantly upon returning to Mwanza, living with her sons in rented accommodations and paying daily for their stay.
Faced with financial difficulties, she resorted to performing at small events to earn money.
Her perseverance eventually allowed her to acquire a plot of land and build a house, though this came after a period of intense hardship and personal sacrifice.
“Nilijiuliza ninawezaje pata kiwanja nijenge nyumba ya kwangu, maana nimeenda Dar es Salaam miaka 9 na sijafanya kitu, ulipofika mwaka wa 10 nikaamua kufunganya na kurudi Mwanza. Hapa niliingia kwa gesti bubu nalipa 4k kila siku. Nikajiuliza nawezaje pata sehemu ya watoto wangu kutulia.
“Ilibidi nizame, nikajifunga kweli mkanda tumboni, sikujali hela yoyote, gemu nikapiga msimu mmoja nikajenga nyumba,” she said.
Reflecting on her inability to build a house during her peak years, Karoli attributed her struggles to poor financial management and the absence of proper guidance.
She emphasized the importance of having someone to provide advice and direction, something she lacked during her time in Dar es Salaam.
“Huko nyuma, unajua kipato si tatizo, tatizo mtu wa kukushika mkono akakuongoza. Mimi hela nilikuwa naipata ila muongozo nilikuwa sina, yaani mtu wa kunishika mkono, ushauri, akaniongoza fanya hiki, fanya kile, usile hela hii, hii hela naishikilia sikupi ili tufanye hiki maana kuna kesho na kesho kutwa, hicho kitu ndicho nilikuwa sina, nilikikosa kabisa,” Karoli said.
She highlighted that it was only after moving to Mwanza that she gained a better understanding of financial responsibility.
The veteran singer secured a plot of land through a benefactor who allowed her to build first and pay later. This support enabled her to finally construct her own house and stabilize her living situation.
Karoli’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of financial literacy and management, even for those experiencing significant success.
Her journey from stardom to financial struggle and eventual stability underscores the challenges many artists face and the critical need for proper financial guidance.
Saida Karoli is most famous for her hit song ‘Maria Salome’ which is part of her ‘Chambua Kama Karanga’ album.
Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny did a rendition of Saida Karoli’s ‘Maria Salome’ in 2016 when they dropped their collabo dubbed ‘Salome’.
