List of Tanzanians
Encyclopedia
Artists
- George LilangaGeorge LilangaGeorge Lilanga was a Tanzanian artist. He was of the Makonde tribe and lived in Dar es Salaam. His work was exhibited in international expositions of African contemporaries including Africa Remix in Düsseldorf, Paris, London and Tokyo...
(1934–2005), akonde people|Makonde Patty Kishengere (2010-2011)
Musicians
- Cool JamesCool JamesCool James, real name James Maligisa Dandu also known as "Mtoto wa Dandu"or CJ Massive was a Tanzanian musician....
(1970–2002), rapper - Dully SykesDully SykesDully Sykes is a Bongo Flava musician from Tanzania- Biography :Also known as Mr Misifa or Mr Chicks, Dully Sykes is a dancehall artist in Tanzania . He has performed in the UK...
(born 1981), rapper - Joseph Haule (Professor Jay)Professor JayJoseph Haule , popularly known as Professor Jay, is a Tanzanian hip hop artist. He is one of the prominent representants of the "Bongo Flava" Tanzanian hip hop subgenre, which mixes elements from both Western hip hop and the Tanzanian tradition Joseph Haule (born December 29, 1975), popularly known...
, rapper - Saida KaroliSaida KaroliSaida Karoli is a traditionalist Tanzanian singer and performer who has staged live shows in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC....
(born 1976), singer - Bi KidudeBi KidudeFatuma binti Baraka is a Zanzibari Taarab singer. She is considered the undisputed queen of Taarab and Unyago music and is also a protégé of Siti binti Saad. Bi Kidude was born in the village of Mfagimaringo, she was the daughter of a coconut seller in colonial Zanzibar...
, Zanzibari TaarabTaarabTaarab is a music genre popular in Tanzania and Kenya. It is influenced by music from the cultures with a historical presence in East Africa, including music from East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East and Europe...
singer - George KinyongaGeorge KinyongaGeorge Peter Kinyonga was an influential musician in Kenya.Born in Tanzania, Peter Kinyonga and his elder brother Wilson Kinyonga founded the rumba band Simba Wanyika which would later spawn Les Wanyika, Super Wanyika Stars and other offshoots.George and Wilson Kinyonga began as musicians in their...
(died 1992), KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n/Tanzanian musician - Wilson KinyongaWilson KinyongaWilson Peter Kinyonga was an influential musician in Kenya. Born in Tanzania, Wilson Kinyonga and his brother George Kinyonga founded the rumba band Simba Wanyika which would later spawn Les Wanyika, Super Wanyika Stars and other offshoots. Les Wanyika was to become more popular as Simba Wanyika...
(died 1995), Kenyan/Tanzanian musician - Lady JaydeeLady JaydeeJudith Daines Wambura Mbibo, known as Lady Jaydee is an R&B/Hip-hop singer from Tanzania. She was voted Best Tanzanian Female R&B Artist in 2002, performed at the Kora All Africa Designers Competition, and was awarded "Best R&B Album" at the Tanzania Music Awards on August 6, 2004. In July 2005,...
(born 1979), pop singer - Joseph Mbilinyi (Mr. II)Mr. IIJoseph Mbilinyi , known for his stage names Mr. II and Sugu and 2-proud, is one of the founders of the hip hop music scene in Tanzania. He was also elected to the Tanzanian Parliament in 2010....
, rapper - Rose MhandoRose MhandoRose Muhando a.k.a. Rose Muhando is a popular East African Swahili gospel artist....
(born 1976), gospel singer - Daniel Owino MisianiDaniel Owino MisianiDaniel Owino Misiani was a musician from Kenya. He was known as the "King of History" in Kenya; overseas, he was known as "the grandfather of benga", of which he was a pioneer....
(1940–2006), Kenyan/Tanzanian bengaBenga musicBenga is a genre of Kenyan popular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi. In the 1940s, the African Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream of soukous, South African kwela, Zairean finger-style guitar and various kinds of Cuban...
musician - Tumi MolekaneTumi MolekaneTumi Molekane, born in 1981 in Tanzania, is a popular musician from South Africa. A poet, musician and MC, he is famous as the lead singer/rapper of Tumi and the Volume]]....
(born 1981), South African/Tanzanian rapper - Imani SangaImani SangaImani Sanga an ethnomusicologist, composer and Choral Conductor is a Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Born in Matamba Uwanji in 1972, Imani Sanga was educated at Chimala primary school, Kidugala Lutheran Seminary, University of Dar es Salaam where he earned...
(born 1972), composer and ethnomusicologistEthnomusicologyEthnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music... - Siti binti SaadSiti binti SaadSiti binti Saad was a pioneering artist in the taraab genre of east African music. In an era in which male singers predominated, she was a pioneer as a woman singer in the genre. In contrast to previous singers who sang in Arabic, she sang in Swahili. She sang in cities of the coast of Kenya,...
(1880–1950), Taarab singer - Nakaaya SumariNakaaya SumariNakaaya Sumari is Tanzanian R&B-hip hop singer.She is the oldest of five children. Her younger sister, Nancy Sumari, was Miss Tanzania 2005 and Miss World Africa....
(born 1982), model and singer - Hukwe ZawoseHukwe ZawoseHukwe Ubi Zawose was a prominent Tanzanian musician. He was a member of the Gogo ethnic group and played the ilimba, a large lamellophone similar to the mbira, as well as several other traditional instruments...
(1938–2003), singer
Politicians
- Freeman MboweFreeman MboweFreeman Aikaeli Mbowe is a Tanzanian politician and chairman of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo ....
(born 14 September 1961), CHADEMA - Anna AbdallahAnna AbdallahAnna Margareth Abdallah is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania.-Education:Abdallah received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Missouri Sociology College in the United States in 1963...
(born 1940), Member of Parliament - Maida AbdallahMaida AbdallahMaida Hamad Abdallah is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. She has been the District Secretary of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party since 2004. She is also the District Secretary of the Tanzania Parents Association.-External links:* website...
(born 1970), Member of Parliament - Mohamed Rished AbdallahMohamed Rished AbdallahMohamed Rished Abdallah is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania.-Source:* website...
(born 1952), Member of Parliament - Mohammed Abdi AbdulazizMohammed Abdi AbdulazizMohammed Abdi Abdulaziz is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. He is a member of, and currently the District Secretary for, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party. He is the constituent for Lindi Mjini. In 1989 he received a Certificate in Law from the University of Dar es...
(born 1958), Member of Parliament - Bahati Ali AbeidBahati Ali AbeidBahati Ali Abeid is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. She is a member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and was its UWT Regional Secretary from 2002–2003. From 1995–2000 she was the Ward Secretary for the Organization of Women in Tanzania.-External links:* website...
(born 1967), Member of Parliament - Juma Jamaldin AkukwetiJuma Jamaldin AkukwetiJuma Jamaldin Akukweti was a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. He represented Tunduru District in parliament from 1990 until his passing, as a member of CCM...
(1947–2007), Member of Parliament - Khadija Salum Ally Al-QassmyKhadija Salum Ally Al-QassmyKhadija Salum Ally Al-Qassmy is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. She is a member of the Civic United Front party. From 1978–1990 she was a teacher within the Ministry of Education of Zanzibar. Aside from her political career she has been a self-employed businesswoman...
(born 1958), Member of Parliament - Ali Haji AliAli Haji AliAli Haji Ali is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. He is a member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and was its Secretary General in 1989. He is a member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.-References:...
(born 1948), Member of Parliament - Ali Tarab AliAli Tarab AliDr. Ali Tarab Ali is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania and is the Shadow Minister for Health and Social Welfare. He is a member of the Civic United Front party and the constituent for Konde. He received a Master's degree and Ph.D, both in biochemistry, from Kharkov State...
(born 1947), Member of Parliament - Fatma AliFatma AliFatma Othman Ali is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania. She is a member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party.-References:...
(born 1950), Member of Parliament - Aziza Sleyum AllyAziza Sleyum AllyAziza Sleyum Ally is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania.-Sources:* website...
, Member of Parliament - Ame Pandu AmeAme Pandu AmeAme Pandu Ame is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania.-Sources:* website...
, Member of Parliament - Ameir Ali AmeirAmeir Ali AmeirAmeir Ali Ameir is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania.-Sources:* website...
, Member of Parliament - Paul BomaniPaul BomaniPaul Bomani was a Tanzanian politician and ambassador to the United States and Mexico.-Biography:Bomani was born in Musoma, Tanzania in 1925 into a family of Adventist preachers...
(1925–2005), ambassador - Jakaya KikweteJakaya KikweteJakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the 4th and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kikwete was born in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika in present day Tanzania...
(born 1950), President of Tanzania since 2005 - Benjamin MkapaBenjamin MkapaBenjamin William Mkapa was the third President of the United Republic of Tanzania and former Chairman for the Revolutionary State Party .-Biography:...
, the president of Tanzania (1995-2005) - Bibi Titi MohammedBibi Titi MohammedBibi Titi Mohammed was a Tanzanian politician. She was born in 1926 , in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to a Muslim family. She was a close friend of the first President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere being introduced to him in 1954, by the driver of a family cab.Mohammed was one of the founding members of...
(1926–1963), founding member of the Tanganyika African National UnionTanganyika African National UnionThe Tanganyika African National Union was the principal political party in the struggle for sovereignty in the East African state of Tanganyika . The party was formed from the Tanganyika African Association by Julius Nyerere in July 1954 when he was teaching at St. Francis' College... - Gertrude MongellaGertrude MongellaGertrude Ibengwe Mongella was the first president of the Pan-African Parliament.-Early work:...
(born 1945), president of the Pan-African ParliamentPan-African ParliamentThe Pan-African Parliament , also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union and held its inaugural session in March 2004. The PAP exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, lasting for the first five years... - Julius NyerereJulius NyerereJulius Kambarage Nyerere was a Tanzanian politician who served as the first President of Tanzania and previously Tanganyika, from the country's founding in 1961 until his retirement in 1985....
(1922–1999), first president of Tanzania - William F. ShijaWilliam F. ShijaDr. William Ferdinand Shija is a Tanzanian politician, the current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and a former member of the African Union's Pan-African Parliament.-Early career:...
(born 1947), member of the National Assembly of TanzaniaNational Assembly of TanzaniaThe National Assembly of Tanzania and the President of the United Republic make up the Parliament of Tanzania. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Hon. Anna Makinda, who presides over an assembly of 357 members.- History :...
from 1990 to 2005
Royalty
- Abdullah bin Khalifa of ZanzibarAbdullah bin Khalifa of ZanzibarSayyid Sir Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Said, KBE, CMG was the 10th Sultan of Zanzibar. He ruled Zanzibar from October 9, 1960 to July 1, 1963...
(1910–1963), tenth Sultan of Zanzibar - Thomas MarealleThomas MarealleChief Thomas Lenana Marealle II OBE was the Paramount Chief ' of the Chagga people of Tanzania and a politician....
(1915–2007), Paramount Chief of the Chagga people - Mangi MeliMangi MeliMangi Meli was a leader of the Chaga in the 1890s. He was hanged by the German colonialists in early 20th century. Meli was one of the heroes of the former Tanganyika colony, and stood firm in the fight against colonial encroachment around the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro...
, Chagga chief who was hanged by GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
colonialists - Chief MkwawaChief MkwawaParamount Chief Mkwavinyika Munyigumba Mwamuyinga , more commonly known as Chief Mkwawa, was a Hehe tribal leader in German East Africa who opposed the German colonisation. The name "Mkwawa" is derived from Mukwava, itself a shortened form of Mukwavinyika, meaning "conqueror of many lands"...
(1855–1898), HeheHeheThe Hehe are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Iringa Region in south-central Tanzania, speaking the Bantu Hehe language. In 1994, the Hehe population was estimated to number 750,000.-History:...
chief - RindiRindiRindi of the Chagga was a major chieftain ruling in the Kilimanjaro region in 1860, making Moshi an important base for ivory trading with Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. He signed a treaty with the Germans in 1885 and Moshi became their headquarters and most important economic and political centre of...
, Chagga chief - Emily RueteEmily RueteEmily Ruete was born in Zanzibar as Sayyida Salme, Princess of Zanzibar and Oman. She was a daughter of Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al-Busaid, Sultan of Zanzibar and Oman...
(Sayyida Salme) (1844–1924), Princess of Zanzibar
Writers
- Muhammed Said AbdullaMuhammed Said AbdullaMuhammed Said Abdulla , was a Swahili novelist who is often credited as a pioneer of Swahili literature.He was born in Zanzibar. After working for ten years as an inspector for the Colonial Health Department, Abduall decided to go into journalism; in 1948 he became editor of the newspaper Zanzibari...
(born 1918), journalist and novelist - Euphrase KezilahabiEuphrase KezilahabiEuphrase Kezilahabi is a Tanzanian novelist, poet, and scholar. Born in Ukerewe, Tanganyika , he is currently based at the University of Botswana, where he is an Associate Professor at the Department of African Languages....
(born 1944), novelist and poet - Justinian RweyemamuJustinian RweyemamuJustinian F Rweyemamu was Tanzania’s first major Economics scholar. Considered by many as the outstanding representative of the post-independence African scholars, he was also a pan-Africanist, political strategist, and international civil servant....
(1942–1982), economist, mathematician and writer - Godfrey MwakikagileGodfrey MwakikagileGodfrey Mwakikagile is a prominent Tanzanian scholar, writer and specialist in African studies.-Childhood:He was born in the town of Kigoma in western Tanzania - what was then Tanganyika - on 4 October 1949 and was baptised Godfrey about two months later on Christmas day, 25 December 1949, as a...
(born 1949), writer - Leonard ShayoLeonard ShayoLeonard Shayo is a Tanzanian politician and member of the Demokrasia Makini party. Running as the party's presidential candidate in the 14 December 2005 elections, Shayo placed ninth out of ten candidates, receiving 0.15% of the vote.-References:...
(born 1948), writer, mathematics, columnist - Hoyce Temu, Biography
- Edwin Mtei, Biography
Miscellaneous
- Jayantilal ChandeJayantilal ChandeJayantilal Keshavji "Andy" Chande, KBE is a prominent Tanzanian businessman, philanthropist and a freemason.He is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Shaaban Robert Secondary School and President of the Dar es Salaam Secondary Education Society.He received the President’s Golden Century...
(born 1928), businessman and philanthropist - Evaristo Marcus Chengula, IMC, Bishop of Mbeya
- Mustafa HassanaliMustafa HassanaliMustafa Hassanali is a Tanzanian fashion designer and a qualified doctor.Hassanali's collections have been shown widely throughout Africa and Italy...
(born 1980), fashion designer - Salma Kikwete, wife of President Jakaya KikweteJakaya KikweteJakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the 4th and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kikwete was born in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika in present day Tanzania...
- Flaviana MatataFlaviana MatataFlaviana Matata is a Tanzanian beauty queen and fashion model.-Miss Universe 2007:Flaviana won the first edition of the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant in 2007, and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant the same year, where she placed among the Top 15 semifinalists and ended...
(born 1987), fashion model - Anthony Mayala, Archbishop of Mwanza
- Reginald MengiReginald MengiReginald Abraham Mengi, a Tanzanian industrialist and media tycoon, a Lutheran member, is the founder and Executive Chairman of IPP Group, one of East Africa's largest privately owned companies, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.-Early life:...
, businessman - MiramboMiramboMtyela Kasanda, better known as Mirambo , was a Nyamwezi warlord, from 1860 to 1884. Mirambo started out as a trader, and owned trade caravans traveling from the Great Lakes region in western Tanzania to the coast, mostly dealing with ivory and slaves...
, NyamweziNyamweziThe Nyamwezi, or Wanyamwezi, are the second-largest of over 120 ethnic groups in Tanzania. They live in the northwest central area of the country, between Lake Victoria and Lake Rukwa...
warlord - Norbert Mtega, Archbishop of Songea
- Sheria Ngowi, Designer
- Kinjikitile NgwaleKinjikitile NgwaleKinjikitile "Bokero" Ngwale was a Tanzanian medium and a leader of the 1905–1907 Maji Maji Rebellion against colonial rule in German East Africa.-Biography:...
(died 1905), medium and leader of the Maji Maji RebellionMaji Maji RebellionThe Maji Maji Rebellion, sometimes called the Maji Maji War, was a violent African resistance to colonial rule in the German colony of Tanganyika, an uprising by several African indigenous communities in German East Africa against the German rule in response to a German policy designed to force... - John OkelloJohn OkelloJohn Gideon Okello was an East African revolutionary and the leader of the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964. This revolution overthrew Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah and led to the proclamation of Zanzibar as a republic.-Youth:...
(1937–1971), revolutionary - Polycarp Pengo (born 1944), Cardinal Archbishop of Dar es Salaam
- Laurean Rugambwa (1912–1997), Cardinal Archbishop of Dar es Salaam
- Paul Ruzoka, Archbishop of Tabora
- Nancy SumariNancy SumariNancy Abraham Sumari is a former beauty queen Miss Tanzania turned model and is now Managing Partner at Frontline Management Limited,an Events and Corporate Communication firm, where she is the director of Events. She was selected as Miss Tanzania 2005 and Miss World Africa for 2005. Sumari was...
(born 1986), Miss Tanzania 2005 - Anna TibaijukaAnna TibaijukaDr. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka is a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme...
(born 1950), Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations - Myles TurnerMyles TurnerMyles Turner was a warden of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania from 1956 to 1972. His efforts enabled the park to survive its formative years and grow into one of Africa's finest parks....
(1921–1984), warden of the Serengeti National ParkSerengeti National ParkThe Serengeti National Park is a large national park in Serengeti area, Tanzania. It is most famous for its annual migration of over one and a half million white bearded wildebeest and 250,000 zebra... - Frederick WeremaFrederick WeremaJudge Frederick Werema is Tanzania's current Attorney General, appointed October 20, 2009. Before his appointment Werema was High Court of Tanzania Judge in Commercial Division...
(born 1954), Attorney General of Tanzania