Besides being an avid social scientist, Ponjoli Joram Kabepele also harbours a strong passion for music production. PHOTO | CAROLINE ULIWA
What you need to know:
Besides being an avid social scientist, Ponjoli Joram Kabepele also harbours a strong passion for music production. In 2014, while he was employed by the EU, he installed a professional music studio in his home in Dar es Salaam and called it Jikoni Studio.
Ponjoli Joram Kabepele, 34, is a Tanzanian conservationist with 10 years experience in the field.
He is currently a member of the Species Survival Commission’s African Elephant Specialist Group for the 2013-2016 quadrennial, appointed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Kabepele holds a BSc in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania and an MSc Erasmus Mundus in Applied Ecology from the Université de Poitiers in France and a Masters of Science & Technology in Ecology and Population Biology from the University of East Anglia in the UK and the Christian-Albrechts University in Germany.
He has worked with the Tanzania National Parks at Udzungwa Mountains National Park as head of the ecology department.
He later went on to work for the European Union Delegation to Tanzania, as a programme officer in charge of natural resources (agriculture, environment and energy).
Besides being an avid social scientist, Kabepele also harbours a strong passion for music production. In 2014, while still employed by the EU, he installed a professional music studio in his home in Dar es Salaam and called it Jikoni Studio, a venture that is now linked to his private consultancy firm, Cranium Consult Ltd.
I love listening to and watching music shows and making music, hanging out with friends as well as taking long drives. While in Dar es Salaam I do that at night to escape the maddening traffic.
If you had not turned into who you are now, what would you have been?
A few years ago I’d have told you someone who’s in music production; as it turns out, I’ve managed to do that recently. So I’m grateful to be engaged in all my passions.
What signifies your personal style?
Shoes. My style is functional minimalistic, I am big on quality not trends. A good pair of sneakers is one of my “go to” items.
Where in East Africa are you most likely to be winding down on a Saturday afternoon?
At home working or at a social place (Rouge/Samaki Samaki-Masaki are my favourites places in Dar es Salaam) or in my neighbourhood “kijiweni” (hangout) with friends.
Describe your best destination yet in East Africa?
I’ll have to go for three; Mbeya, which is my home town, Udzungwa, which is about 100km from Mikumi National Park. It’s stunning. Just recently I was in Mtwara and I was blown away by the hospitality of the people as well as the waterfronts.
What’s on your must-visit list?
Brazil; I love the culture. It emanates such vibrancy. Also China, in fact when I am able to take a year off from work, I’ll spend it in China. While I was in Europe doing my post-graduate studies, I interacted with a lot of Chinese people. I got to admire their logic and calmness. They may not be a spontaneous lot, but there’s a practicality and tenacity, which is probably why they’re good at mathematics. I’d love to get to learn their culture.
What do you see as East Africa’s greatest strength?
Our togetherness. The majority of us speak Kiswahili and it brings us closer. Furthermore, our culture is very inclusive.
Are you a collector, and what collection are you proud of?
I don’t think I qualify to be one, nonetheless I love finding and keeping old Tanzanian music, from Bongo Flava to “zilizopendwa,” (golden oldies). I recall when I was younger anxiously waiting for the programme Golden Oldies on Radio Tanzania to come on. They played music from Tanzanian bands from back in the 1960s.
What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve received?
My girlfriend gave me a photograph of a bird that I hang in my living room. It was an expensive photograph, and little did she know that my undergraduate research was on urban birds and the photograph was of a Malakite Kingfisher. I was really touched by the gift.
What’s the best gift you’ve given?
I think this question is better asked of the ones receiving the gift, honestly, I don’t know.
Which is the big book you have read recently?
Why do men have nipples by Mark Leyner & Billy Goldberg. It’s a thoughtful work offering practical but sound medical advice on curious questions like “How do people in wheel chairs have sex?” or “can I lose my contact lens inside my head forever?”
Which movie has had the most impact on you?
Just recently I watched Begin Again starring Keira Knightley. I was quite impressed by the storyline, it being about making it in the music business and, given my own journey with Jikoni studios, how they navigate the art of recording music really inspired me.
What’s on your music playlist?
Hip Hop, Bongo Flava and world music feature prominently although I tend to listen to a little of everything too.
What’s your favourite website?
I frequent the sports pages of the British tabloid Daily Mail. For world news I go to bbc.com, but if I want to know about music in Tanzania, I go to Bongo5.com or djchokamusic.com If I want to read about on what Tanzanians are doing I go to michuzi.blogspot.com and for philosophical views of what’s going on in the country I go to kipanya.co.tz.
What is never missing from your your fridge?
Vegetables, fruits and eggs. I never miss out on eggs, being a bachelor.
