It is a sad and difficult time for the family, the tourism industry and the business community in Tanzania.
Abbas Moledina, the pillar of Ranger Safaris in Arusha, one of the most successful tour companies in Tanzania, has passed.
The astute businessman described as “soft spoken but sharp as a razor “passed away on May 11th in Canada, where he had been living his retired life for the couple of years.
News of him passing away sent shockwaves in Arusha, where he was born, raised, and later returned to nurture and grow the business that changed the fortunes for his family and the tour operation landscape in Tanzania.
To the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), 40 year old a proactive organization of tour-operators, the late Moledina was visionary and pioneered the safari business in Tanzania setting high bench- marks across the industry.
To his close and extended family, relatives, friends and business partners, he was a mentor, “father” figure to many within the tourism industry. Over the decades under his strong leadership, Ranger Safaris have grown and continued to be one of the leading tour companies in Tanzania.
He served within the TATO Board in different capacities, including vice chairman and chairman during his years at TATO. His vision and ability to bring all together to focus on working for the greater good of the industry earned him many more accolades. “Mzee Moledina was an astute businessman and great leader”, asserted Sirili Akko, CEO of TATO association based in Arusha.
He was not only the force behind the success and growth of Ranger Safaris but had tirelessly invested his time and devoted his resources to the tourism industry and the community around, said Sirili Akko, the CEO of TATO in the statement issued to the members.
Among the tourism stakeholders, he stood tall and appeared as “fatherly” figure a mentor to the young people and firms trying to establish themselves within the hospitality industry. There is no contention that many benefited from his wisdom, experience, guidance within the industry as he successfully led tour operations in difficult and challenging times.
Outside the tourism industry, the late Moledina was instrumental in fundraising for charity projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Arusha and the Rotary foundation. He worked closely with other Rotary clubs (regionally and internationally) where he managed and pushed many projects, eye cataract (gift of sight), conserving – harvesting rain-water, “End Polio “campaign are some examples. He worked closely with Rotary Foundation, where he ensured and pushed to raise millions for The Rotary Foundation. For his close Rotarian family, if you knew Abba, you knew Rotary Foundation.
He became very passionate about his projects, that he would lead and manage. Some projects which were very close to him; include rain water harvesting projects e.g. Patandi School in Tengeru and other schools in USA River and others further away, Tengeru Women’s Market, polio eradication vaccination drive are to name a few amongst many other projects.
He touched the lives of many in his private capacity and through his business, notably Ranger Safaris which grew over the years starting from VW combi to Nissan Urvan minibuses to Toyota Land Cruisers 4x4s establishing a large fleet of vehicles along with a strong team of safari guides working together.
The late Moledina spent his childhood in Arusha, not very far from the iconic Clock Tower. He later went abroad for his higher education where he specialized in optometry (eye care) and eye contact lenses at the time break through, new technology.
He returned back to Arusha in the 1980s to Ranger Safaris where he grew operations with a few VW Combis and “Eureka” tents. Later expanding the fleet of vehicles to modern Toyota buses and 4×4 safari cruisers as well as pioneering mobile tented camping. Today Ranger Safaris is reputed as a pioneer in the Tanzania Tourism Industry.
Marking its 45th anniversary this year, Ranger Safaris remains an industry leader in the Tanzania Tourism Industry. Currently, the company’s vehicle fleet comprises of an expansive fleet of modern Four-wheel Drive vehicles.
TATO Chairman Mr. Wilbard Chambulo assured that with sad departure of Mr. Moledina, TATO members and the tourism fraternity in Arusha and throughout the country stands with family, friends and Ranger Safaris team at this difficult time.
