аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

10 Most Famous People from Tanzania

Tanzania officially the United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region.  Tanzania has a population of 63.59 million, making it the most populous country located entirely south of the Equator.

Over 100 different languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa. The national language is Swahili. Swahili is used in parliamentary debate, in the lower courts, and as a medium of instruction in primary school. 

English is used in foreign trade, diplomacy, higher courts, and as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education; although the Tanzanian government is planning to discontinue English as the primary language of instruction. Approximately 10% of Tanzanians speak Swahili as a first language, and up to 90% speak it as a second language.

Let’s look at the 10 most famous people from Tanzania.

1. Jakaya Kikwete

Jakaya Kikwete by V. Martin –

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is a Tanzanian politician who was the fourth president of Tanzania, in office from 2005 to 2015. Prior to his election as president, he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 2005 under his predecessor, Benjamin Mkapa. 

He also served as the chairperson of the African Union from 2008–2009 and the chairman of the Southern African Development Community Troika on Peace, Defence, and Security from 2012–2013. Kikwete who is of Kwere heritage was born and raised in Msoga, Chalinze District in Pwani Region, and attended the University of Dar es Salaam.

2.  Diamond Platnumz

Diamond Platnumz in 2020 by Ackim Ndolo –

Nasibu Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known by his stage name Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist, and businessman of Ha heritage. 

He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet, and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa. He became the first Africa-based artist to reach a combined total of one billion views on YouTube.

After signing a record deal with Universal Music in 2017, Platnumz released his third studio album, A Boy from Tandale (2018). In 2021, Diamond together with his record label WCB Wasafi entered into a 360 Partnership with Warner Music Group.

3. Flaviana Matata

Flaviana Matata is a Tanzanian beauty queen and fashion model. She is one of the top Seven lists of models that have recorded the highest income in Africa mentioned by 2013 Forbes Africa. In 2017 she was mentioned by okay.com as the one of Top 100 Women in Africa.

Matata 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 was placed among the top 15 semifinalists and ended up in 6th place after the evening gown competition. She was the first contestant from Tanzania to compete in Miss Universe 2007, and compete with a shaved head.

4. Julius Nyerere

Julius Nyerere by Eric Koch for Anefo –

Julius Nyerere was a Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician, and political theorist. He governed Tanganyika as prime minister from 1961 to 1962 and then as president from 1962 to 1964, after which he led its successor state, Tanzania, as president from 1964 to 1985. 

He was a founding member and chair of the Tanganyika African National Union party and of its successor Chama Cha Mapinduzi, from 1954 to 1990. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he promoted a political philosophy known as Ujamaa.

5. Ray C

Ray C performing in 2008, Dar es Saalaam, Tanzania by Muddyb –

Rehema Chalamila, popularly known by her stage name Ray C, is a musician from Tanzania. Her genre of music is afro pop specifically Bongo Flava.

Before venturing into music, she worked as a presenter for the Dar es Salaam-based Clouds FM radio station. She released her debut album “Mapenzi Yangu” in 2003.

She has toured Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique, China, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, USA, Australia, Thailand, South Africa, India, Nigeria, and other countries.

6. Christopher Mwashinga

Christopher Mwashinga is a Tanzanian author and poet from Mbeya, Tanzania who lives in the United States. He has published books on Christian poetry, theology, mission, and religious history. 

His poetry has been published in reputable anthologies in the United States, and other countries including Kenya, Singapore, and Tanzania. He writes in English and Kiswahili.

7. Ali Kiba

Ali Saleh Kiba by Suzanese –

Ali Saleh Kiba is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter. He is from Kigoma and the owner of Kings Music label.

Ali Kiba released his album Cinderella which broke records as the best-selling album in East African countries including Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Alikiba became the most awarded Tanzanian artist in the 2022 Tanzania Music Awards after winning 5 awards.

8. Hasheem Thabeet 

Hasheem Thabeet by Paulou –

Hasheem Thabeet is a Tanzanian professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He played college basketball for UConn before being drafted second overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. 

His performance as a second-overall draft pick has led many analysts to label him as one of the biggest busts in NBA history. In 2021, Thabeet played for Savio in his native Tanzania, guided the team to the Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball League (RBA) title, and was named the Finals MVP.

9. Harmonize

Rajab Abdul Kahali, popularly known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava artist and music entrepreneur born in Mtwara Region. Since 2009 after completing his secondary school education, Harmonize is living in Dar es Salaam. Sometimes, he is referred to as Konde Boy referring to his Makonde heritage.

 Aiyola is his debut song which introduced him to the Tanzanian music industry in 2015. He is well known for his songs “Kwa Ngwaru”, featuring Diamond Platnumz, and “Show Me” featuring Rich Mavoko. In 2017, MTV Base included him in their African edition of Ones to Watch for 2017.  He was the first artist to sign a recording contract with Diamond Platnumz WCB Wasafi label and has since founded his own record label company, Konde Music Worldwide.

10. Benjamin Fernandes

Benjamin being interviewed on national television in Tanzania by Daudi.mwakansope –

Benjamin Fernandes is a Tanzanian entrepreneur and former national television presenter. He worked at The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the United States in their Digital Team and Financial Services team. 

He is the first Tanzanian to attend the Stanford Graduate School of Business as an Africa MBA Fellow and the youngest African to ever be accepted to the Stanford Graduate School of Business. 

In 2017, Fernandes became the first Tanzanian in history to attend both Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government for an executive education program.