5. International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester
SADC Group Publisher Thapelo Letsholo
Best of Series Publisher Gia Bischofberger
Best of Tanzania Publishing Partner Carlos Ideias
Managing Editor Rebecca Eb
Sales and Marketing Carlos Ideias, Clara Comberti,
Pedro Figueiredo
Production GVPedia Communications cc
Creative Direction iMedi8 Creative
Webmaster Liam Dobell
Content Manager Agnes Sikhethile Zaba
Printing Creda Communications
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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
in The ‘Best of Tanzania Vol.1. Neither ‘Best of Tanzania Vol. 1’, nor GVPedia
Communications cc assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. The editor
reserves the right to amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.
All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied,
transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall
not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.
The Majestic Tanzania
“Best of Tanzania successfully promotes and showcases Tanzania
as a bountiful land of many opportunities, endless beauty, majestic
beasts, rich natural heritage and culture and diverse landscapes. In
these pages we exhibit the very best of Tanzanian business, industry
and tourism through an impressive display of images”.
Designed with the inspiration of the Tanzanite stone, this is a visual celebration of Tanzania’s
achievements and successes. Not only does Best of Tanzania capture the history of the land and its
growth journey, but it offers a glimpse of the country’s future through its Vision. The bright colours of
the landscape seem to be telling of an equally bright future. We hope to capture some of this colour
through a showcase of the pride of the nation.
The timeless pages of history of ‘Best of Tanzania’ will forever form a tangible reminder and visual
celebration of the melting pot of the country and its most premium offerings. Tanzania’s landscape
leaves all who witness it spellbound. A small part of this magic is captured here to share with the world
– looking beyond the awe of the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.
Tanzania’s relative isolation from global markets helped it survive the effects of the global economic
downturn, presenting an environment conducive to opportunities. Mercy Tembon, World Bank Acting
Country Director for Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi, said that if Tanzania continues to commit to human
capital investments and business development facilitation, it can reach its growth target. This stability
has seen the World Bank forecast Tanzania’s 2011/12 growth at six percent. This success of Tanzanian
companies and individuals is worthy of celebration.
Our sincere thanks must go to the participants showcased in our very first edition; representing the
“Best of” in their respective fields. We profile these individuals, companies and organisations with much
pride and celebrate their success – which in turn helps us to promote Tanzania throughout Africa and
the world.
This yearly publication is part of the “Global Village Partnerships” publishing model that now extends
across 45 countries. To complement the readership of our print model we are also present on www.
GVPedia.com and the www.ProudlyAfrican.info portal where millions of international readers have
access to a virtual copy of ‘Best of Tanzania’. The newest addition to this is the VIPedia app where the
books can be downloaded for e-Reading.
‘‘Best of Tanzania’’ will document Tanzanian achievements and all that Tanzanians have to be proud
of. We will showcase these on the world stage, relying on the fact that Tanzania will see immense
growth in the years to come.
We thank you and trust that you will enjoy and treasure this gem – ‘‘Best of Tanzania’’.
Thapelo Letsholo Sven Boermeester Gia Bischofberger
Tanzania Team (L-R):
Carlos, Clara and Pedro
Proudly African
Boosting inter-trade & cultural
relations across the continent
www.ProudlyAfrican.info
Best of Tanzania | 1
6. President Jakaya Kikwete
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the
fourth President of the United Republic
of Tanzania, first sworn in to office on 21
December 2005 after winning 61 percent
of the vote in the general election. Now
in his second term, he also served as the
Chairperson of the African Union from 31
January 2008 to 2 February 2009.
Kikwete attended Msoga Primary School
from 1958 to 1961, followed by Lugoba
Middle School from 1962 to 1965. This
followed with his O-level education at
Kibaha Secondary School from 1966 to
1969. His advanced level education was
completed at Tanga Secondary School
followed by a degree in Economics at the
University of Dar es Salaam from 1972 to
1975.
Kikwete’s grandfather Mrisho Kikwete was a
local chief and his father became a District
Commissioner in colonial Tanganyika,
Regional Administrative Secretary, and then
an Ombudsman in post-colonial Tanganyika
and the United Republic of Tanzania. He
learnt much of his leadership skills from
these two hugely influential men in his
life. During school, Kikwete was naturally
elected for leadership, which effortlessly led
to TANU and CCM party youth movements
after school.
He became active in student politics and
was elected Vice President of the Dar es
Salaam University Students Organisation
and de-facto President of the student
government at the Main Campus in
1973/74. In this capacity, he was at the
forefront of activism in liberation and
anti-apartheid politics. He represented
African University students at international
conferences, such as the International
Youth Population Conference in Bucharest,
Romania in 1974.
After graduating, Kikwete joined the ruling
party. Kikwete served in the Tanzanian
military, becoming the Chief Political
Instructor of the Tanzania People’s Defence
Forces in 1984. He also rose through army
ranks to become a political instructor in the
military academy and retired as a Lieutenant
Colonel in 1992. He has been in the cabinet
since 1988 and was previously Minister
of Finance and Minister of Energy and
Minerals.
Kikwete was a foreign minister between
1995 and 2005. His tenure as chairman of
the African Union was seen as successful,
as in 2007 he played a significant role
in finding a solution to the post-election
chaos in neighbouring Kenya. In his role as
President, Kikwete has continued with the
efforts of his predecessor to make Tanzania
a free-market economy. He has also been
seen to pay delicate respect to the socialist
policies of Tanzanian founder Julius Nyerere,
whilst still keeping a grip on Chama Cha
Mapinduzi (CCM), the ruling party.
Kikwete pledged to implement a number
of ambitious economic projects, prioritise
scientific research and development,
augment tourism and actively fight poverty.
The recent significant offshore gas findings
by Norway’s Statoil, U.S. group ExxonMobil
and Britain’s BG Group and its partner Ophir
Energy in June, brings Tanzanian reserves
Tanzanian politician and President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, was born on 7 October 1950 in
Msoga, Bagamoyo District in mainland Tanzania (then Tanganyika).
2 | Best of Tanzania
7. up to 28.9-trillion cubic feet with expected
earnings of up to USD3-billion per year,
according to the World Bank.
In order to protect future earnings, Kikwete
announced government’s plans to set up a
sovereign wealth fund. He described this as
a way of putting excess reserves to better
use, while learning from those who already
have such funds in place. Kikwete is using
these models to show how to better manage
revenues of gas findings, and by setting up
Tanzania’s own fund, similar benefits for the
country can be ensured. Kikwete’s intention
is to see that natural gas revenues are used
to speed up development.
Since 1954, 61 wells have been drilled for
oil. Although no oil has been struck out of
those, natural gas was found in 22 wells.
Gas exploration has escalated since the
first gas discovery in 2010 in the southern
parts of Tanzania along the Indian Ocean
Coastline. Exploration drilling is set to
continue into the second half of 2012
through to 2013, so Kikwete believes there
may be more gas discoveries to come.
Kikwete hopes that cheap access to gas
would encourage the construction of
fertiliser plants and boost power generation.
His target of generating 3,500MW of
electricity by 2015 largely depends on
natural gas. As a result, he is working on
a new national gas policy, gas utilisation
master plan and legislation to regulate the
fast-growing industry. This is sure to be
one of his most significant impacts for his
country during his presidency.
President Kikwete is a keen sportsman
after having played competitive basketball
at school and was a patron of the Tanzania
Basketball Federation. He is also a strong
supporter of Young Africans, one of the
country’s top football clubs. He has eight
children with wife Salma Kikwete.
www.jkikwete.com
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete meeting with
the World Trade Center, Cape Town
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete receives a
copy of the Best of South Africa
Best of Tanzania | 3
8. Hotels, Lodges and Resorts
Dining and Nightlife
Décor, Design and Interiors
Travel, Tours and Leisure
Tanzanite and Jewellery
Training and Education
Chapter142Chapter380Chapter598
Chapter270Chapter486Chapter6106
CHAPTERS
4 | Best of Tanzania
9. Medical Healthcare
Insurance and Investment
Mining and Minerals
Banking
Energy, Oil and Gas
Chapter7116Chapter9142Chapter11166
Chapter8128Chapter10156
Best of Tanzania | 5
10. Industry and Manufacturing
Security Systems
Transport and Logistics
Electrical, Engineering and Construction
Building, Architecture and Real Estate
Courier Services
Chapter12180Chapter14202Chapter16220
Chapter13186Chapter15210Chapter17230
CHAPTERS
6 | Best of Tanzania
11. Automotive and Motoring
Technology and Communications
Corporate Profiles and Entrepreneurship
Food and Beverages
Print, Media and Marketing
Chapter18236Chapter20254Chapter22290
Chapter19246Chapter21278
Best of Tanzania | 7
12. Tanzania at a glance
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and its vast land surface varies from rolling
plains to dramatic mountains, and from immense lakes to a crisp turquoise ocean gently
8 | Best of Tanzania
13. Major attractions include Africa’s highest
mountain and the highest freestanding
mountain on earth – the snow capped
Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Lakes and
the forested shores of the worlds longest,
second-deepest and cleanest freshwater
lake – Lake Tanganyika, Ngorongoro crater,
the Great Migration at Serengeti National
Park, and the picturesque islands of Pemba
and Zanzibar. Tanzania is truly a land of
astonishing natural beauty, vibrant and
ancient culture, and a heritage spanning to
the beginning of time.
Tanzania is also a beacon of stability in
a turbulent world – notably through the
tolerance of her people.
Full Name: United Republic of Tanzania
Capital: Dodoma
Largest City: Dar es Salaam
Motto: “Uhuru na Umoja” (Swahili)
“Freedom and Unity”
National
Anthem:
“Mungu ibariki Afrika” (Swahili)
“God Bless Africa”
President: Jakaya Kikwete (2005)
Prime Minister: Mizengo Pinda (2008)
Area: 342,100 sq mi (886,039 sq km),
364,898 sq mi (945,087 sq km)
Provinces: Tanzania is divided into 26 regions
(mkoa), 21 on the mainland and
five in Zanzibar (three on Unguja,
two on Pemba)
Population: 41,892,895 (2% growth rate,
2010)
Main Language
spoken:
Swahili and English
Main Religions: Christianity, Islam, and Indigenous
beliefs
Main exports: Coffee (largest), tea, cotton,
cashews, sisal, cloves, pyrethrum,
gas
Natural
Resources:
Minerals (gold, diamonds, coal,
iron, uranium, nickel, chrome,
tin, platinum, coltan, niobium,
tanzanite (endemic), natural gas,
and tourism
Monetary unit: Tanzanian Shilling
HISTORY
Tanzania’s land is known to be one of
the oldest inhabited places in the world
evidenced by the fossil findings from over
two-million years ago unearthed in the
Olduvai Gorge. One of the region’s most
important Archaeological sites is Engaruka
in the Great Rift Valley, with ruins which
map out an ancient system of irrigation and
cultivation. It was thought to have been
populated by hunter-gatherer communities
lapping white sandy beaches. Tanzania’s unique beauty and natural variety make it an
exciting wildlife and safari destination – and one of Africa’s premier tourist destinations.
Best of Tanzania | 9
14. 10 | Best of Tanzania
such as the Cushitic and Khoisan people.
Bantu-speaking people arrived from West
Africa 2000 years ago and up until the 18th
century, Nilotic pastoralists immigrated to
the area.
The region became known for its steel
production, beginning with the Haya people
2000 years ago. Since the first century AD,
merchants from the Persian Gulf and India
visited what was then called Tanganyika
– as well as the Zanzibar islands. Islam
has been practiced on the “Swahili Coast”
since between eighth and ninth century AD.
Zanzibar today refers to Zanzibar Island,
or “Unguja” and the neighbouring island
of Pemba. Zanzibar fell under Portuguese
domination in the 16th and early 17th
centuries.
The coastal strip was then claimed by
Oman Sultan Seyyid Said who subsequently
moved his capital to Zanzibar City in 1840.
As a result, Zanzibar City became the centre
of the Arab slave-trade and between 65
and 90% of locals were enslaved. One of
the most famous traders was Tippu Tip,
who amassed substantial wealth and status
throughout Eastern Africa in the late 1800s.
His nickname came from the sound of his
guns rattling wherever he went.
German East Africa and British Mandate
Imperial Germany conquered the regions
of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi in the
late 19th century. During World War One,
an invasion attempt by the British was
thwarted. After the war, the League of
Nations Charter designated Tanganyika as a
British Mandate. British rule ended in 1961
with the transition to independence.
Formation of Tanzania
The Tanganyika African National Union
(TANU) was formed by Julius Nyerere in
1954, in pursuit of national sovereignty for
Tanganyika. Nyerere subsequently became
the first Prime Minister after independence.
The Zanzibar Revolution of 1963 overthrew
the Arab dynasty. On 26 April 1964, the
mainland of Tanganyika merged with
the island nation of Zanzibar to become
Tanzania – the name being a portmanteau
of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. This union
still allows the Zanzibar government
considerable local autonomy.
In 1967, Nyerere turned leftist through
the Arusha Declaration’s commitment
to socialism, pan-Africanism and
nationalisation.
15. The economy of the 1970s suffered a
major slump which saw the introduction
of Chinese investment into the region.
One of the great projects of this time was
the TAZARA railway from Dar es Salaam
to Zambia’s copper belt – eliminating
Tanzania’s dependence on Rhodesia
(Zimbabwe) and South Africa.
Nyerere merged TANU with the Zanzibar
ruling party, the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP)
of Zanzibar to form the CCM (Chama cha
Mapinduzi-CCM Revolutionary Party), on
5 February 1977.
Tanzania declared war on the Soviet-backed
Uganda in 1979 after Idi Amin invaded
northern Tanzania in an attempt to annex
Kagera. Tanzania followed the expulsion of
Ugandan forces with an invasion of Uganda
– enlisting the help of Ugandan exiles. Idi
Amin was forced out of the capital Kampala
on 11 April 1979, signalling the end of the
Uganda-Tanzania War.
In October 1985, Nyerere handed over
power to Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
The country’s first multi-party election was
held on 23 November 1995, which saw
Benjamin William Mkapa sworn in as the
new president of Tanzania. In December
2005, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was elected
the fourth president for a five-year term.
Kikwete was re-elected in 2010 with the next
elections scheduled for 2015.
Best of Tanzania | 11
16. 12 | Best of Tanzania
TIMELINE
Rift Valley
inhabited by Australopithecus, Homo and
even other hominid genera, as evidenced
by fossils at Olduvai Gorge.
East Africa populated by
Khoisan hunter-gatherers seen in rock
art in central Tanzania. Periodic contact
made between Ancient Egypt and the
East African coast is established in
2500 BC.
Tanzanian interior
populated by Iron Age Bantu-speakers.
Phoenicians explore the coast in 600 BC,
trading with Rhapta port – probably the
Pangani or Rufiji estuaries in modern-day
Tanzania.
Trade between
the Swahili Coast and Persian Gulf
established by the 9th century AD, when
East Africa’s earliest known Islamic
buildings were built.
Kiswahili (simplified
Bantu language with Arabic elements),
spreads along most of the coast between
Somalia and Mozambique – trade route
transporting Zimbabwean gold.
Persian naval
technology improvements push maritime
trade further south, establishing central
Swahili city-state, Kilwa Kisiwani in
southern Tanzania – a gold-reading
emporium visited regularly by Arabic and
Asian merchant ships.
The Portuguese capture Kilwa,
Mombasa and several other coastal ports.
Gold trade collapses and the economy
stagnates.
Sultan Said of Oman makes
Zanzibar his East African base, due
17. to its access to the caravan route to
Lake Tanganyika. Several Omani clove
plantations established.
Said and Omanis control all local
trade, dominated by export of slaves from
the interior – some 40,000 were sold from
Zanzibar yearly.
Ngoni exiles from Zululand (South
Africa) attack resident tribes in southern
Tanzania with Zulu military tactics. Local
chiefs use similar tactics to forge larger
kingdoms – extracting taxes and guns
from Arab slave traders. In 1848, German
missionary Johan Rebmann is the first
European to see Kilimanjaro, and is
ridiculed for his report of a snow cap on
the Equator.
Scottish missionary David
Livingstone stumbles across Lake
Nyasa-Malawi and strongly criticised the
widespread slave-trade. Richard Burton
and John Speke are the first Europeans to
see Lake Tanganyika.
Livingstone spends the last six
years of his life wandering between the
great lakes. Livingstone’s funeral catalyses
the anti-slaving lobby, and Sultan
Barghash of Zanzibar outlaws the slave-
trade in exchange for British protection.
A church is built over Zanzibar’s slave
market.
The Scramble for Africa sees
Britain and Germany negotiate a territorial
partition identical to the modern border
between Kenya and Tanzania. In 1888,
the German East Africa Company places
agencies at most coastal settlements
north of Dar es Salaam. In September, a
sugar plantation owner, Abushiri ibn Salim
al-Harthi, leads an uprising and German
agents are killed or driven away. In April
1889, German troops capture Abushiri and
hang him in Pangani.
The German colony population
decreases due to a cattle plague
epidemic, an outbreak of smallpox,
destructive locust plagues, and famine.
The Hehe successfully ambush a German
battalion in 1891. Hehe chief Mkwawa
shoots himself when facing German
capture in 1898.
The southeast rises against
German rule in the Maji-Maji Rebellion.
The rebellion is quashed and Germans
induce a famine leading to 250,000
deaths. Public outcry in Germany sees
new administration create an incentive-
based scheme for African farmers, leading
to a threefold increase in exports leading
up to World War One.
The Allies capture German East
Africa. The League of Nations mandates
the Ruanda-Urundi District (now Rwanda
and Burundi) to Belgium and the rest
of the colony, re-named Tanganyika, to
Britain.
Tanganyika has no direct
involvement in World War II, but benefits
economically as rocketing international
food prices lead trade revenue to increase
sixfold between 1939 and 1949.
100,000 indigenous Tanganyikans
who fought for European democracy in
World War II call for independence after
returning to racist and non-democratic
policies. In 1954, 34-year-old graduate
of Edinburgh University Julius Nyerere
becomes president of TANU, advocating
peaceful transition to self-government.
Tanganyika is granted full
independence under Nyerere on 9
December 1961 in a bloodless transition.
Zanzibar is granted full independence in
December 1963. A month later, the Arab
government of Zanzibar is toppled in a
bloody coup. In April 1964, Tanganyika
and Zanzibar merge to become the United
Republic of Tanzania. TANU will later
merge with the Zanzibari ASP to form the
CCM, which still rules Tanzania.
A staunch socialist,
Nyerere embarks on a policy of
villagisation, encouraging rural formation
of Ujamaa villages and collective
farms. By the end of 1975, 65% of rural
Tanzanians lived in Ujamaa villages. Water
or food supplies were mostly inadequate,
and the policy was abandoned as a costly
experiment.
Nyerere pulled out of an
OAU conference in Idi Amin’s Uganda in
1975. Following Amin’s annexation of part
of northwest Tanzania, Nyerere invaded
Uganda in 1979 and toppled Amin.
Tanzanian economy suffered
after drought, Ujamaa, rising fuel
prices, lack of foreign aid, corruption in
state-run institutions, and the war with
Uganda. Nyerere retired in 1985 and
was succeeded by Ali Hassan Mwinyi,
who abandoned socialism and adopted
a three-year Economic Recovery Plan in
alliance with the IMF. Tanzania has since
achieved a real-term average annual
growth rate of around 4%.
The first multi-party
election took place in October 1995, with
Benjamin Mpaka receiving the majority of
around 75%. Mpaka was succeeded by
Jakaya Kikwete in 2005.
Best of Tanzania | 13
18. 14 | Best of Tanzania
Tanzania is unique in African politics as
even though the mainland has undergone
a series of political transitions – from
colonial dependency to independence, from
socialist state to free-market economy, from
socialism to democracy – there has never
been resultant sustained civil or ethnic
unrest. This is something Tanzania takes
pride in and uses this stability to continue
building a sturdy economy on.
The Republic of Tanzania truly is united as it
now enjoys the benefits of a democracy and
a free-market economy. The CCM (Chama
cha Mapinduzi-CCM Revolutionary Party)
has been in power since it was formed
between the governments of Zanzibar and
Tanganyika in 1977. The development of
the organisation has been one of mature
progression, as it came to terms with its
early socialist errors and reformed in the
best way possible.
The Government of the United Republic of
Tanzania is a unitary republic consisting of
the Union Government and the Zanzibar
Revolutionary Government.
Since independence in 1961 without
fail, Tanzania has held Presidential and
Parliamentary Elections every five-year
period. H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was
first sworn into office after results from the
General Elections of 14 December, 2005,
becoming the fourth President of Tanzania
on 21 December, 2005 for a five-year term of
office. Since 1985, Tanzania has followed a
two-term limit for the Presidency.
President Kikwete’s campaign slogan was
“New Vigour, New Zeal, and New Speed:
Promoting Better Life for all Tanzanians”,
inspiring the majority of Tanzanians. All
former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and
Prime Ministers live in Tanzania and are
accorded respect. On 25 June, 2006
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was
elected Chairman of the ruling political party
19. (CCM) by its General Congress and re-
elected as President for his second term on
31 October 2010.
Public Administration
All state authority in the United Republic is
exercised and controlled by the Government
of the United Republic of Tanzania and the
Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Each
Central Government has three organs: The
Executive; Judiciary; and The Legislature,
that have powers over the conduct of public
affairs. In addition, Local Government
Authorities assist each central government.
The Government of Tanzania has authority
over all Union Matters in the United Republic
and over all other matters concerning
mainland Tanzania. The Revolutionary
Government of Zanzibar has authority in
Zanzibar over all matters excluding Union
Matters.
The President is the Head of State, the Head
of Government, and the Commander-in-
Chief of the Armed Forces. The Executive
of the United Republic comprises the
President, the Vice-President, President of
Zanzibar, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet
Ministers.
Judiciary
The Judiciary in Tanzania consists of three
organs: the Court of Appeal of the United
Republic of Tanzania, the High Courts for
Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the Judicial
Service Commission for Tanzania Mainland –
Magistrates Courts and Primary Courts.
The Tanzania legal system is based on
common law. The Tanzania Law Reform
Commission is responsible for the review of
the country’s laws.
Dodoma is the national capital of Tanzania
as well as the capital of the Dodoma Urban
District. Meaning “It has sunk”, Dodoma has
a growing population of around 350,000.
Plans were made to move the capital
to Dodoma from Dar es Salaam in 1973
as Dodoma was chosen as being more
accessibly positioned in the centre of the
country. Tanzania’s National Assembly
moved there in February 1996, but many
government offices remain in Dar es Salaam
– which remains the commercial capital.
Dar es Salaam is the commercial capital
and major sea port for the mainland, also
serving neighbouring land-locked countries
Malawi, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda,
and Eastern DRC. Dar es Salaam Port’s
geographical advantage, presents itself as
the gateway into East and Central Africa,
significantly adding to Tanzania’s reputation
as a logical investment destination.
Formerly known as Mzizima, Dar es Salaam
is Tanzania’s largest and wealthiest city. It
is also an important economic centre in the
region. Apart from the city, Dar es Salaam
is an administrative province of Tanzania
with three local government districts. Dar es
Salaam lost its official capital city status in
1974, but it remains the centre of permanent
government bureaucracy and serves as the
capital for the surrounding region.
Best of Tanzania | 15
20. 16 | Best of Tanzania
ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of
Zanzibar Island, Pemba Islands, and
several islets. It is about 25 miles from
the Tanzanian coast in the Indian Ocean,
and 6° south of the equator. The biggest
island, Zanzibar Island or ‘Unguja’ locally,
is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide. Most
notable on Zanzibar Island, apart from its
magnificent beaches and coral reefs, is the
historic Stone Town – the only functioning
ancient town in East Africa. Attractions in
Stone Town include the sultan’s palace, the
House of Wonders, the Portuguese fort and
gardens, the merchants’ houses, and the
Turkish baths.
Also known as the ‘spice island’, legends
abound on Zanzibar and its legacy is known
all over the world. As the highlight of this
Indian Ocean coastline which is studded
with pristine beaches and intriguing ruined
cities, Zanzibar is steeped in centuries
of maritime trade with Asia and the Arab
kingdom. The abundance of sea-life present
around the numerous coral reefs and islands
provide an arresting offshore adventure
with sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles,
sharks, giant coconut crabs, and a multitude
of brightly coloured reef fish.
Economy
The main economic activities for locals
revolve around fishing and agriculture. A
large portion of the world’s cloves once
came out of Zanzibar, which are still a main
export along with coconut products and
spices. Tourism is growing to become the
primary foreign exchange earner, with an
increasing number of visitors every year.
21. History
Zanzibar’s earliest visitors were Arab traders
in the 8th century – trading ivory, slaves
and spices for centuries. Zanzibar’s oldest
building is a mosque at Kizimkazi built in
1107. The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians,
Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians,
Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and
English all landed in Zanzibar at some stage.
The Persians and Omani Arabs settled and
ruled, influencing Zanzibar’s Islamic majority
of today. The Persians intermarried with the
local Africans, giving rise to a distinctive
coastal community and the Swahili language
formed by a mixture of Arabic.
Government
Zanzibar is an island state within the United
Republic of Tanzania, and has its own
semi-autonomous government made up
of a Revolutionary Council and House of
Representatives. The present government
is led by the island’s President, Amani
Karume. The government body responsible
for tourism promotion is the Zanzibar
Commission for Tourism.
Best of Tanzania | 17
22. 18 | Best of Tanzania
Terrain
Tanzania’s spectacular landscape includes
three main physiographic regions: the
islands and the coastal plains; the inland
saucer-shaped plateau; and the highlands
in the north and south. The Great Rift Valley
runs from north-east of Africa through
central Tanzania, creating another notable
landmark of scenic splendour.
Climate
Tanzania’s tropical climate is a result of
its location directly south of the equator.
Temperatures in the highlands range
between 10°C in the cold season and 20°C
during the hot seasons. The remainder of
Tanzania is rarely cooler than 20°C. The
hottest season is between November and
February (25–31°C) and the coolest is May
to August (15–20°C).
Major rainfalls happen from December
to April (in southern, western and central
Tanzania), October to December, and March
to May (in northern Tanzania). The long rains
of March to May are known as ‘Masika’, and
the short rains of October to December are
known as ‘Vuli’.
THE PEOPLE
The Tanzanian culture is especially
significant in Africa, even though there are
120 different distinct tribes, this diversity has
seldom led to modern conflict. Tribes range
from the iconic Maasai pastoralists of the
Rift Valley, to the Hadza hunter-gatherers
of the Lake Eyasi basin, to the industrious
Chagga agriculturists of the Kilimanjaro
footslopes. The most populous tribes are
the Sukuma, Haya, Chagga, Nyamwezi,
Makonde, Hehe and Gogo, each comprising
less than 10% of the total population.
The varieties of tribes offer a myriad of
interchanging folklore, traditional post-
harvest festivals (“ngoma”), dance, and
dress. The most well-known dance is that of
the Maasai, as they leap simultaneously to
the rhythmic chant of their deep voices.
Maasai warrior men dress in light draped
cloth accompanied by traditional weapons.
The cloth used is commonly red, adding
an imposing air to their already impressive
tall stature. Maasai women are renowned
for their jewellery which they layer around
their necks, arms, legs, and ears in an
arrangement of colourful beads and metal
ornaments.
As a result of the numerous tribes present in
Tanzania, there are 128 different languages
spoken. In an attempt to achieve unity
after independence, Swahili was made the
national language through introduction into
Primary schools. English is the other official
language and is a stipulation in Secondary
and Tertiary, so as to avoid having to
translate textbooks.
23. Most languages in Tanzania unfortunately
cannot receive equal linguistic rights which
place them in jeopardy of extinction.
Notable Swahili writers include Shaaban
Robert, Edwin Semzaba, and Euphrase
Kezilahabi.
Although no official government statistics
on religion are available, it is estimated by
religious leaders and sociologists that the
number of Tanzanians who practice Islam
and Christianity is relatively equal in size
with a share of 60 to 80% of the population.
The remainder consist of other religions,
including indigenous beliefs and those
without religion.
Art
The popular Tingatinga style of using enamel
paints on canvas is evident in unique African
paintings. These paintings usually colourfully
depict animals and flowers. Tingatinga was
started by Edward Saidi Tingatinga, who
was born in south Tanzania and lived in Dar
es Salaam. He died in 1972 and since then,
the style has been widely adopted across
Tanzania and the world. One of Africa’s most
famous artists is Tanzanian-born, George
Lilanga.
Music
Numerous reputable musicians create music
in varying genres, ranging from the modern
R&B, pop, and dance music, to the more
traditional Zouk and Taarab.
ECONOMY
Under the presidency of Kikwete, the
Government of Tanzania is pursuing sound
and consistent macro-economic policies,
keeping inflation low. These policies are
being built on the sturdy foundations left
by his predecessor as well as increasing
implementation more efficiently.
Focus is on the promotion of private sector
development and creating new sectors with
good economic potential. In turn it is hoped
that this will spur investment, create jobs,
and expand exports.
Key to this is the promotion of sustainable
shared economic growth. Government
is committed to the pursuit of positive
investment and growth policies as well
as promoting public-private sector
partnerships. This partnership is to be
housed under the umbrella of the Tanzania
National Business Council (TNBC). The
Public Expenditure Review (PER) is
designed to promote greater participation in
policy discussions.
Tanzania is an ideal investment destination
due to its national unity and social
cohesiveness solidified through its national
consultative process. As a result, Tanzania
enjoys peace, security and stability. Added
to this are its vast natural resources,
geographical advantage, large domestic
market and labour force. This climate is
welcoming to Foreign Direct Investment,
tourists, joint ventures, and public-private
partnerships.
The reforms being undertaken affect
economic sectors such as reforms in
foreign exchange, investment and trade
policy, agriculture, finance, and the public
sector.
Agriculture is the foundation of the
Tanzanian economy and accounts for
half of the national income. It is a source
of food and creates employment for 80%
of Tanzanians. Smallholder farmers
dominate the agricultural industry in
Tanzania, relying on rain-fed agriculture,
while the agricultural workforce is largely
made up of women.
Agriculture is dominated by food crop
production with 85% of the annual 5.1-
million hectares cultivated. Government
recognises the role the agricultural sector
can play in economic growth and poverty
reduction. The key to stabilising this sector
is with irrigation. This in turn will increase
food security for the country. Higher value
crops such as vegetables and flowers could
then become a focus for the agricultural
economy.
The macro-economic reforms will continue
impacting significantly on Agriculture, most
notably through outside influence from
infrastructure, finance, land ownership, and
good governance.
Best of Tanzania | 19
24. 20 | Best of Tanzania
The mining sector adds 2.3% to the GDP.
Development Vision 2025 projects this to
be 10% in the next 13 years. Mining is a
leading part of foreign exchange earnings
generation – of non-traditional exports. The
employment opportunities in the mining
sector have great potential.
Tanzania’s mineral capacity is largely
untapped, with potential to recover large
quantities of gold, base metals, diamonds,
ferrous minerals and a wide variety of
gemstones. Tanzania is known for its
unique and alluring gem, the tanzanite –
which is found nowhere else in the world.
Gold and diamonds have always been at
the centre of the country’s mineral
production.
Tanzania produces coal, uranium, soda,
kaolin, tin, gypsum, phosphate, and
dimension stones at appealing rates.
Gold was discovered in recent years in
greenstone belts located in the east and
south of Lake Victoria and southern and
south-western rock formations. Base metals
were found in a large belt running across
the country. Gemstones are found largely in
eastern and western belts running from the
Kenya border in the north, to Mozambique in
the south.
The Mineral Policy of Tanzania focuses on
private sector-led mineral development
with government regulation, promotion, and
facilitation.
Trade and Investment
Tanzania’s manufacturing sector activities are
concentrated on simple consumer products
such as foods, beverages, tobacco, textiles,
furniture, and wood products. Regardless
of its relatively small size, the manufacturing
sector is still significant to the country’s
economy as it is a reliable source of revenue,
making up over half of annual government
revenue collection.
Manufacturing’s contribution to overall
GDP has averaged 8% and is the third
most crucial to Tanzania’s economy after
agriculture and tourism.
Therefore, with this in mind, a number of
measures were taken to increase both the
competitiveness of the local industries and
their ability to penetrate the export markets.
In the early 1990s, measures were taken to
increase competitiveness of local industries
and their entry in export markets. One
such measure was a program designed to
privatise public-owned enterprises. This
resulted in use of capacities rising from 20%
to 50%.
The industrial development of Tanzania
has been explained in the ‘Sustainable
Industrial Development Policy – SIDP’. SIDP
promotes a market-led economy and that
Tanzania’s industry sector can have success
with increased private sector participation
in the decision making and implementation
practices.
Williamson Diamond Mine
25. Tanzania’s government will continue
providing a welcome, attractive, stable, and
encouraging environment for investors.
Petroleum, hydropower and coal are the
major sources of commercial energy in
Tanzania. Biomass energy, comprising of
wood and charcoal, accounts for 93% of
the total energy consumption. Petroleum is
imported and is mostly consumed by the
transport sector. Tanzania has its own natural
gas reserves, which is likely to replace oil.
Tanzania’s electricity is generated mainly
from hydropower. As this is vulnerable to
the effects of drought, some thermal power
stations have been built. In order to boost the
electricity supply, the national grid may be
connected to Zambia and Uganda.
Transport
Tanzania’s transport sector contributes
effectively to social and economic
development. Growth in performance is
due to investment in road rehabilitation,
telecommunications expansion,
modernisation of port services, and marine,
rail, and air transport improvement.
TOURISM
National Parks
The abundance of wildlife in Tanzania is
the defining factor in its reputation as a
compelling safari destination. The world’s
largest game reserve is the Selous in the
Best of Tanzania | 21
26. 22 | Best of Tanzania
south of Tanzania. Also in Tanzania is
Africa’s most famous park – the Serengeti,
with all its glory of sweeping plains. The
Ngorongoro Crater could be considered as
Africa’s most dramatic park. Gombe Stream
and Mahale Mountains in the more remote
west are home to chimpanzees. The coastal
belt in the east is abundant in its diversity of
endemic birds, monkeys, chameleons and
flowering plants, most notably in the Eastern
Arc Mountains.
Tanzania is home to the world famous
National Parks and Game Reserves of:
Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve,
Gombe Stream, Tarangire, Lake Manyara,
Mikumi, Arusha, Ruaha, Saadani, Udzungwa
Mountains, and Mkomazi Game Reserve.
Other Game Reserves include: Amani,
Kigosi, Lukwika-Lumesule, Maswa, Monduli
Mountains, Msangesi and Ugala.
Otherwise known as the “Greatest show
on earth”, the extraordinary annual
Great Migration of herbivores across the
Serengeti-Mara ecosystem of Tanzania and
Kenya is truly a magnificent spectacle of
wildlife in unprecedented volumes. Over
2-million herbivores make this annual
journey in search of grazing pastures and
following the rain. This epic journey sees
about 200,000 zebra, 500,000 Thomson’s
gazelle and over 1.5-million wildebeest or
“Gnus” battling elements and predators, and
having to cross two major rivers in their trek.
27. The Serengeti is the greatest place to view
this spectacle of nature.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa
and the highest freestanding mountain in
the world. It’s impressive and imposing air
is partly due to the spectacular contrast
of its snowy peak to the expanse of plains
emanating from its base. Kilimanjaro is often
shrouded in a wreath of cloud – giving it a
mysterious feel. The mystery of Kilimanjaro
is also in its name – possible meanings
include Mountain of Light, Mountain of
Greatness, or Mountain of Caravans.
This summit of Africa rises to a height of
5,895 metres from the coastal shrubland.
As the most accessible of the world’s high
summits, Kilimanjaro – and its year-round
cap of snow – is a magnet for tourists and
climbers. The crater rim can be reached
without excessive climbing equipment and
clothing. Reaching the summit – Uhuru
Point – or Gillman’s Point on the edge
of the crater, earns climbers their official
certificates, as well as life-changing
memories of their great accomplishment.
Ascending the mountain is a unique
experience as it takes climbers from the
tropics to an arctic-like landscape – and the
various climes in between. The footslopes
below the national park boundary of the
2,700m contour transform into lush forest
which is home to elephant, leopard, buffalo,
Best of Tanzania | 23
28. 24 | Best of Tanzania
and the rare Abbott’s duiker. Further above,
is the moorland area of giant heather
interspersed with the alien-like giant
lobelias. At 4000m before reaching the roof
of the continent and its ice and snow, is an
alpine desert which is home to only resistant
lichen and moss.
Lakes and rivers
Tanzania has enough water resources,
including surface and underground, to
meet most of its present needs. About 7%
of total land surface is covered by three
fresh water lakes bordering Tanzania – Lake
Victoria (second largest fresh water lake
in the world), Lake Tanganyika (second-
deepest lake in the world), and Lake Nyasa
(otherwise known as Lake Malawi). Inland
Lakes include Rukwa, Eyasi and Manyara.
Tanzania’s major rivers are Pangani, Wami,
Ruvu, Rufiji, Mbwemkuru and Ruvuma, with
peak outflow occurring from March to May.
Underground water is also an important
source of water for both urban and rural
settlement areas.
Tanzania Tourist Board’s Top 10 places
1. Ngorongoro Crater
2. Serengeti National Park
3. Zanzibar and Pemba
4. Tarangire National Park
5. Lake Manyara National Park
6. Mt. Kilimanjaro
7. Selous Game Reserve
8. Ruaha National Park
9. Mafia Island
10. Mt. Meru
Facts
st
south of the equator and is bordered by
29. Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda,
Burundi and the Democratic Republic
of the Congo to the west, and Zambia,
Malawi and Mozambique to the south.
2
, Tanzania
is one of the largest countries in sub-
Saharan Africa, covering an area greater
than Kenya and Uganda combined – and
more than four times the size of Britain.
million. The population of Dar es Salaam
is estimated at 2.5 million – more than
the next 10 largest towns combined. In
descending order, these are Mwanza,
Zanzibar Town, Morogoro, Mbeya, Tanga,
Moshi, Dodoma, Arusha, Tabora, and
Iringa.
Tanzanian economy but the country is also
the third-largest gold producer in Africa
(after South Africa and Ghana) – and the
only known source of the tanzanite gem.
Tourism has increased tenfold since 1990,
generating nearly USD1-billion in annual
foreign revenue.
collapsed volcano, while Ol Doinyo Lengai
in the north is thought to be the most
active volcano on mainland Africa.
official conservation status, supporting an
estimated 20% of Africa’s large mammal
biomass.
www.tanzania.eu
www.zanzibar.net
www.tanzaniaparks.com
www.tanzaniatouristboard.com
www.tanzaniainvest.com
Best of Tanzania | 25
30. Tanzania Trade Development
Authority (TanTrade)
Tanzania Trade Development Authority
(TanTrade) was established by Act No. 4 of
2009 with the overall objective of Developing
and Promoting Trade both in domestic
and foreign markets. Her establishment
followed a repeal of the Act of Parliament
No. 15 of 1973 that created the Board of
Internal Trade (BIT) which was responsible
for Domestic Market Development and
the Act of Parliament No.5 of 1978 that
established the Board of External Trade
(BET) that was responsible for Foreign
Market Development. The mandates of the
two defunct institutions are now vested on
TanTrade which builds on the knowledge
and vast experiences accumulated from
the past. To cope with major changes in the
economic spheres, TanTrade has developed
a clear and coherent strategic direction to
ensure that the development and promotion
of trade both in the local and international
markets is achieved.
TanTrade is committed to become a world-
class focal point centrally positioned to
support national economic excellence
through trade development and promotion.
Service offered by TanTrade
TanTrade undertakes various research
studies in order to determine market
characteristics, market potentials,
customer needs and obtain any other
information for use by the business
community. Research findings help in
addressing challenges and harnessing
opportunities domestically, regionally and
internationally.
Services
TanTrade aims to introduce brand identify
and the slogan of Tanzanian products and
services in order to promote Tanzanian
produced items locally and internationally.
Once the process is launched, TanTrade
will encourage the business community
to participate in the branding initiatives
for proper identification of Tanzanian
products and services in the international
markets.
TanTrade conducts Capacity Building
Programmes to the Business Community.
Special attention is paid to SMEs to
enhance their capacity through training,
consultancy, mentoring, and coaching,
role modelling and benchmarking
services to enhance their ability to
produce and trade both locally and
internationally.
4) Advisory Services on Business
Competitiveness
TanTrade offers advisory services to the
Business Community on the management
of their business with a view to assisting
businesses to develop and expand
profitably. This also goes hand in hand
with inculcating and promoting the export
culture into a large section of small,
medium and large enterprises.
TanTrade collaborates with Sector
Associations and other stakeholders in
identifying and advising the business
community on ways of overcoming
bottlenecks in the value chain and
promotes value addition. It also works
with technical institutions to develop
optimal product portfolio, including new
product development, product lifecycle
management; and creates the new
product development roadmap. Emphasis
is placed on producing quantities and
qualities which will make Tanzanian goods
and services become competitive in the
domestic and foreign markets.
26 | Best of Tanzania
31. 6) Promotion of Tanzania’s Goods and
Services
TanTrade endeavours to foster better
market penetration for Tanzania’s goods
and services at domestic, regional
and international markets, through
planning, coordination, organisation and
management of international Trade Fairs,
staging Dar es Salaam International Trade
Fair (DITF), specialised sector exhibitions,
expositions and participating in servicing
incoming and outgoing business
missions.
TanTrade is mandated to ensure quality
and standard of exhibition industry by
regulating the trade fairs, exhibitions,
expositions, solos etc. organised by
various companies or Institutions in the
country.
8) Trade Policy and Facilitation
TanTrade advises the Government on
matters relating to the formulation,
development, supervision and
implementation of trade policies and
strategies. It also advises the Government
on the integration of multilateral, regional
and bilateral trade rules. TanTrade works
with other Trade Support Institutions to
streamline trade procedures to minimise
costs.
9) Trade Information Service
TanTrade collects, processes, stores and
disseminates trade information such as
world market prices, product or service
inquiries and other trade statistics to
the business community and other
stakeholders. TanTrade houses the
WTO Reference Centre for the business
community.
TanTrade understands that it is part of
the community and therefore values her
active participation and contribution to
community initiatives.
TanTrade observes professional ethics and
standards in developing and delivering
services to her clients.
TanTrade cultivates teamwork spirit where
every individual will share expertise and
experience.
TanTrade upholds the principle of integrity,
good governance and accountability;
and does not encourage corruption and
discrimination of any kind in her service
delivery.
Plot No. 436, Block A, Kilwa Road
Mwl. J. K. Nyerere Trade Fair Ground
www.tantrade.or.tz
Best of Tanzania | 27
32. Future Visions Tanzania – Vision 2025
The United Republic of Tanzania is located
in Eastern Africa between longitude 29°
and 41° east, latitude 1° and 12° south. The
United Republic of Tanzania was formed out
of the union of two sovereign states, namely
Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Tanganyika
became a sovereign state on 9 December,
1961 and became a Republic the following
year. Zanzibar became independent on
10 December, 1963 and the People’s
Republic of Zanzibar was established after
the revolution of 12 January, 1964. The
two sovereign republics formed the United
Republic of Tanzania on 26 April, 1964.
However, the Government of the United
Republic of Tanzania is a unitary republic
consisting of the Union Government and the
Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.
Tanzania is the biggest (land area) among
the East African countries (i.e. Kenya,
Uganda and Tanzania). Tanzania has a
spectacular landscape of mainly three
physiographic regions, namely: the Islands
and the coastal plains to the east; the inland
saucer-shaped plateau; and the highlands.
The Great Rift Valley that runs from north-
east of Africa through central Tanzania is
another landmark that adds to the scenic
view of the country. The country has the
largest concentration of wild animals. It also
has pristine sandy beaches and Africa’s
highest mountain, the snow-capped Mt.
Kilimanjaro.
The Tanzania Vision 2025
A vision for development is an articulation
of a desirable future condition or situation
which a nation envisages to attain, as
well as the plausible course of action to
be taken for its achievement. A national
vision therefore seeks to actively mobilise
the people and other resources towards
the achievement of shared goals. A shared
vision arouses people’s aspirations and
creates the spark that lifts the nation out
of the mundane. In the process, it instils
the courage and determination to rise
28 | Best of Tanzania
33. to challenges at individual, community
and national levels. A vision is a vehicle
of hope and an inspiration for motivating
the people to search and work harder for
the betterment of their livelihood and for
posterity.
What is envisioned for Tanzania in 2025
is that society then will be substantially
developed with a high quality livelihood.
Abject poverty will be a thing of the
past. In other words, it is envisioned that
Tanzanians will have graduated from a little
developed country to a middle-income
country by the year 2025 with a high level
of human development. The economy
will have been transformed from a low
productivity agricultural economy to a semi-
industrialised one led by modernised and
highly productive agricultural activities which
are effectively integrated and buttressed by
supportive industrial and service activities in
the rural and urban areas. A solid foundation
for a competitive and dynamic economy
with high productivity will have been laid.
Consistent with this vision, Tanzania of 2025
should be a nation imbued with five main
attributes: high quality livelihood; peace,
stability and unity; good governance; a
well educated and learning society; and a
competitive economy capable of producing
sustainable growth and shared benefits.
“Tanzania is regarded as one of the
countries with the highest growth potential
in Africa with enormous potential as an
investment destination. It is one of the most
promising emerging markets in the region,
offering a unique combination of developed
economic infrastructure and a vibrant
emerging market” (Tanzania Investment
Centre).
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34. Julius Nyerere
The Father of the Nation, or Baba wa Taifa, ruled in office with
political party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from 26 April 1964 until
his retirement on 5 November 1985. Prior to that he was President of
Tanganyika from 1961 when the country became independent.
Born on 13 April 1922 in Butiama, Tanganyika to Chief Nyerere Burito
of the Zanaki (1860–1942), Nyerere was known by the Swahili name
Mwalimu or ‘teacher’ – which was his profession prior to politics. His
political career began in 1954 when he helped form the Tanganyika
African National Union (TANU).
In 1961, Nyerere was elected Tanganyika’s first Prime Minister, and
following independence, in 1962, the country’s first President. In
1964, Tanganyika became politically united with Zanzibar and was
renamed Tanzania. In 1965, a one-party election returned Nyerere to
power.
Nyerere issued the Arusha Declaration, which outlined his socialist
vision of ‘ujamaa’ that came to dominate his policies. Nyerere was
the first African head of state to retire voluntarily when he stepped
down in 1985 after two decades in power. He relinquished power
to his hand-picked successor because he realised that his socialist
policies of communal ownership of farms and state ownership of
services were not working. He remained the chairman of CCM.
Although much progress in services such as health and education
had been achieved with Nyerere at the helm, he left Tanzania with
very little development. Nyerere remained untainted by scandal or by
charges of corruption and few question his sincerity. He had wanted
to make Tanzania self-reliant, free from indebtedness to former
colonial powers or to the West. He saw colonialism and capitalism as
responsible for the subjugation of their people.
Influenced by Gandhi, Nyerere was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize
in 1995. Nyerere was first and foremost an African, and secondly a
socialist – an African socialist. Despite the failure of his economic
policies, he remained a believer of socialism and he supported this
belief by living a modest lifestyle. A devout Catholic, Nyerere often
fasted and did not enrich himself at his nation’s expense. He was
known for his preferred dress of a simple Mao tunic.
Education
After school, Nyerere received a scholarship to attend Makerere
University (at that time it was the only tertiary education institution
in East Africa), where he obtained a teaching diploma. He returned
to Tanganyika to teach. In 1949, he won a scholarship to attend
the University of Edinburgh (he was the first Tanzanian to study at
a British university and only the second to gain a university degree
outside Africa) where he obtained his MA in economics and history in
1952.
Political career
While teaching near Dar es Salaam, Nyerere founded TANU. His
political activities attracted the attention of the colonial authorities
and he was forced to choose politics over teaching. He achieved
his goal to bring a number of different nationalist factions into one
grouping in 1954. Nyerere rallied throughout the country to garner
support for the independence movement. He also spoke on behalf of
TANU to the Trusteeship Council and Fourth Committee of the United
Nations, in New York.
His oratory skills and integrity helped Nyerere achieve TANU’s goal
for an independent country without war or bloodshed. Nyerere
entered the Colonial Legislative council in 1958, and was elected
chief minister in 1960. In 1961, Tanganyika was granted self-
governance and Nyerere became its first Prime Minister on 9
December 1961. In 1962, Nyerere became President of the Republic
of Tanganyika. Nyerere orchestrated the union between Zanzibar and
mainland Tanganyika to form Tanzania in 1964.
Nyerere was a committed Pan-Africanist during the continental
movement of the 1960s. He was a founder of the Organisation of
African Unity in 1963 (The African Union) and housed a number of
African liberation movements including the African National Congress
(ANC) and the Pan African Congress (PAC) of South Africa, FRELIMO
of Mozambique, and ZANLA of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
In 1979, he led Tanzania into war against Uganda, then under the
dictatorship of Idi Amin, resulting in the defeat of Uganda and exile of
Amin.
During his retirement, Nyerere widely advocated for poor countries.
One of his last high-profile actions was as the chief mediator in the
Burundi conflict in 1996.
Nyerere was an alma mater of Makerere University and the University
Of Edinburgh (MA). He married Maria Magige in 1953 and together
they had five sons and two daughters. In addition to political writings,
he translated two Shakespearean plays into Swahili. He died on
14 October 1999 at the age of 77 in London, the United Kingdom.
His final resting place is Butiama, Tanzania. Nyerere’s example of
voluntary retirement from power has set a standard that few African
heads of state have met.
www.juliusnyerere.info
Julius Kambarage Nyerere was the first President of Tanzania and one of the country’s
greatest political icons.
TanzaniaIcon
30 | Best of Tanzania
35. Best of Tanzania | 31
Reginald Abraham Mengi
Originally from Machame in the Kilimanjaro Region and a qualified
Chartered Accountant (UK) / Certified Accountant (Tanzania) by
training, Reginald Mengi created the IPP business conglomerate in
the mid-1980s after serving as Chairman and Managing Partner of
Coopers & Lybrand in Tanzania.
A true rags to riches story, Mengi’s journey to IPP all began with the
realisation that Tanzania had a lack of availability of pens, which he
then decided to start manufacturing himself.
IPP Group
The IPP Group started as a small-scale hand-operated ball point
assembly plant in Dar es Salaam. It is now one of the largest
industrial groups in East Africa. Its expansion and diversification has
led to the creation of IPP Consulting, Coca-Cola Kwanza, Bonite
Bottlers and Kilimanjaro Spring Water, IPP Bodycare Ltd (Tanzania’s
leading soap, detergent, and toothpaste manufacturer), as well as
IPP Media – made up of eleven newspapers, three radio stations,
and two television channels operating in Tanzania, Kenya and
Uganda. These include The Guardian, The Sunday Observer, The
Daily Mail, The Financial Times, Nipashe, Nipashe Jumapili, Alasiri,
Kasheshe, and Taifa Letu, Independent Television Ltd. (ITV), East
Africa Television (EATV), Radio ONE, Sky-FM (in a joint venture with
the BBC) and East Africa Radio.
Mengi’s various positions have included Chairman of the National
Board of Accountants and Auditors Tanzania, Chairman of the
National Environment Management Council Tanzania, Board
Director of LEAD (Leadership for Environment and Development
International), Commissioner, and Tanzania HIV/AIDS Commission
(TACAIDS).
He is currently Board Chairman/Board Member of a number of
Institutions and Enterprises, including:
National Business Council; and
Mengi believes strongly in social responsibility and funds numerous
projects for social development, youth employment and for people
with disabilities. He has funded the Kilimanjaro afforestation
campaign since 1988, which has planted over 20-million trees.
Because of his belief in social responsibility, he has received
numerous awards including:
earning praise and distinction for the United Republic of Tanzania
(1994);
the United States of America;
Officer in East Africa by PricewaterhouseCoopers (in 2001 and
2002).
Most recently, Reginald Mengi began building The Rodney Mutie
Mengi Heart Institute in memory of his son who died on October
6, 2005 from heart complications. In the meantime he has begun
sponsoring children in Tanzania with heart problems to travel abroad
for treatment.
Mengi was featured as one of 16 business people in a book called
“Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs” by Moky Makura, published by
Penguin Books South Africa in 2008. He has an entire chapter
dedicated to his story of success.
Mengi is an unwavering advocate of good governance in Africa and
private sector skills development to attract investment. His leading
example, achievements and contributions have inspired Tanzanians
and spurred national business growth.
www.ippresources.com
Tanzanian industrialist and media tycoon, Reginald Abraham Mengi, is the founder and
Executive Chairman of IPP Limited – one of the largest privately owned companies in East
Africa – based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
TanzaniaIcon
36. Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE
In 1956 when Jane was 22, her friend invited
her to her family’s new farm in Kenya.
After saving her waitressing money for her
passage to Africa, she set sail from England
in 1957. The ‘Kenya Castle’ docked in
Mombasa on 2 April.
Jane soon met famed archaeologist and
palaeontologist, Louis S. B. Leakey. He
was impressed with Jane’s energy, general
knowledge and avid interest in animals. He
hired her as an assistant and eventually
asked Jane to undertake a study of a group
of wild chimpanzees living on a lakeshore
in Tanzania. Little was known about wild
chimpanzees at the time.
In July 1960, Jane stepped onto the beach
at Gombe in the jungle of Tanzania, then
called ‘Tanganyika’. Her observations
of the chimps were groundbreaking –
she discovered that Chimps were not
vegetarians as previously thought, but
regularly hunted and ate small mammals.
She then observed chimps using long
flexible probes to fish termites out of a
mound, after stripping leaves off stems to
create these tools – one of Jane’s most
important discoveries.
Before that, anthropologists saw tool-
making as definitive of mankind. Louis
Leakey’s response to her discovery was
“Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man’
or accept chimpanzees as humans.” He
obtained further funding for Jane’s study
and arranged for her to enrol in Cambridge
University as a doctoral student in 1962. She
earned her Ph.D. in ethology (the study of
animal behaviour) in 1966.
She began to view chimps as individuals
with distinct personalities, giving them
names in her research instead of the
accepted method of numbering. She began
Dame Jane Morris Goodall, DBE is a British
primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, UN Messenger
of Peace – and an icon in Tanzania.
TanzaniaIcon
32 | Best of Tanzania
37. to gain a clearer image of chimp society
through her time at Gombe, such as them
foraging alone or in small groups, unlike the
large troops of other primates.
Jane’s observations were published in
National Geographic, with captivating
photos by filmmaker/photographer Hugo
van Lawick, who became her first husband
in 1964. As the level of support for the
Gombe study increased, Jane and Hugo
were able to build a permanent camp with
chimp-proof buildings and to hire more
researchers. The Gombe Stream Research
Centre was born in 1965.
The Gombe study also revealed the darker
side of chimpanzee nature, noted in a cruel
and strategic four-year war with a splinter
group in the chimp community after a new
alpha aggressively took charge. Certain
females also developed abnormal tastes
for other infant chimps. These flashes of
brutality noted in Jane’s study, were also
interspersed with moments of compassion
and care for each other, such as males
taking on the care of orphans.
The Centre still trains primatologists to this
day. Jane visits Gombe every year and
is very involved in the research although
field work is done by a skilled team of
researchers and assistants, many of them
from Tanzania.
Her book “The Chimpanzees of Gombe:
Patterns of Behaviour” was published in
1986, covering 25 years’ worth of Gombe
research. Its publication was celebrated by
a conference in Chicago, “Understanding
Chimpanzees”, which brought together
many chimp biologists. They were
fascinated by one another’s findings, but
alarmed to realise how widespread and
urgent the threats facing wild chimps were,
specifically deforestation.
Jane realised her work would be to save
the chimpanzees – she had gone into the
conference as a scientist and left as an
activist. Today she travels over 300 days
per year talking to audiences about their
power to help other people, animals and the
environment. The Jane Goodall Institute,
which she founded in 1977, has programs
designed to benefit African communities and
to spread the word about the importance of
conserving forests and animal populations.
Roots & Shoots started with a group of
Tanzania students in 1991, and is today
the Institute’s global environmental and
humanitarian youth program with nearly
150,000 members in more than 120
countries.
Her other books include “In the Shadow of
Man” and “Through a Window”.
In April 2002, during a private ceremony at
the United Nations headquarters in New
York, Secretary-General Kofi Annan named
Dr. Goodall, a UN Messenger of Peace. He
cited her for her “dedication to what is best
in mankind” and presented her with a dove
lapel pin.
Jane and Hugo had one son, Hugo Eric
Louis van Lawick, born on March 4, 1967
and nicknamed, “Grub.” When Grub was
seven years old, Jane and Hugo divorced
as the demands of their work hurt their
marriage. Jane remarried the head of the
Tanzanian National Park, Derek Bryceson, in
1975. Derek died from cancer in 1980 after
five happy years together.
Best of Tanzania | 33
38. Freddie Mercury – from Zanzibar to music legend
Bomi was a High Court cashier for the
British Government, as Zanzibar was a
British protectorate at the time. Farrokh’s
only sibling, sister Kashmira, was born
in 1952. At the age of one, Farrokh’s first
taste of fame came when his baby picture
won the Local Photo of the year contest in
Zanzibar.
The tropical spice island off the east coast
of Africa was the backdrop to Farrokh’s
upbringing. On their father’s civil servant’s
salary, the family had servants and enjoyed a
relatively high standard of living. The young
Farrokh was initiated into the Parsee culture,
which is culturally and linguistically Indian,
and was told fables and legends.
Although very few Parsis remain in
Zanzibar, the community was much larger
during Farrokh’s youth and they often held
gatherings. At these religious functions,
Farrokh would also sing and entertain
the gathering. Farrokh was accepted into
his faith, the ancient Zoroastrianiam, at a
ceremony at the Fire Temple on Zanzibar.
In 1954, at the age of eight, Farrokh was
sent by ship to St Peter’s English boarding
school in Panchgani, India. His school
friends called him Freddie and his family
adopted the name. He began taking piano
lessons and achieved Grade IV in practical
and theory. Freddie was a good sportsman,
but his artistic skills were incomparable.
He was a member of the school choir
and regularly partook in school theatrical
productions. He was awarded the school
trophy as Junior All-rounder at the age of
12. He loved music and constantly played
records on the family’s record player. He
formed a school rock and roll band with five
friends in 1958, called The Hectics, with
Freddie on piano.
When Freddie finished school in 1962,
he returned home to Zanzibar where he
spent time with friends in the markets, parks
and beaches. Political unrest in Zanzibar
forced the Bulsara’s to make the decision
to leave the island in 1964, along with many
British and Indian families. They immigrated
to Middlesex, England. After joining a
blues band called Wreckage as a graphic
design student, Freddie was introduced
to Roger Taylor and Brian May who were
in a band called Smile. In April 1970 after
Freddie joined them as their lead vocalist
and changed his surname to Mercury, they
formed the legendary band, Queen. The
band stayed together for the next 20 years
and was completed by bassist John Deacon
in 1971.
Queen was signed to EMI Records and
Elektra Records in 1973 and they released
their debut self-titled album – hailed to
critical acclaim as a catalytic moment for the
rock genre. With the release of the unusual
Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975, Freddie’s
unique skills became widely noticed. His
remarkable vocal range and projection,
flamboyance, theatricality and colour are
forever immortalised in the song, which
topped the UK charts for nine weeks. Their
popularity quickly spread around the world.
Queen became the pioneers of stadium
rock when they began to fill 70,000 seater
venues. In 1981, they performed to 231,000
fans in Sao Paulo which was a world
record. The highlight of the success of the
Queen phenomenon in the 1980s was the
memorable performance on the Live Aid
stage. At this time, Freddie began exploring
his solo career, which saw him record an LP
with world renowned opera diva Montserrat
Caballé. The title song, Barcelona has
become an anthem for the city and was the
theme song for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic
Games. Freddie returned to the studios to
record ‘Innuendo’ with Queen in 1990.
On 24 November 1991, Freddie’s struggle
against AIDS ended when he passed away
peacefully from bronchial pneumonia at
his London home – the day after he had
publicly announced he had the disease.
The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was
held at Wembley Stadium on 20 April 1992
where AIDS charity, the Mercury Phoenix
Trust, was set up in his memory by Queen’s
remaining members.
The 2012 London Olympics closing
ceremony on 12 August included a musical
extravaganza led by the late Freddie
Mercury. The Symphony of British Music
section opened with Queen’s Bohemian
Rhapsody. The section ended with a video
of the late Freddie Mercury singing to the
crowd, followed by his Queen band mates
Brian May and Roger Taylor performing We
Will Rock You.
This little boy from Zanzibar became one
of the world’s greatest stars, and through his
talents and stage presence, he personified
the word ‘showmanship’. Freddie Mercury’s
legacy of songs have become immortal
classics, still loved by millions over 20
years after his death. Freddie Mercury has
rightfully been named the Greatest Rock
Legend of All Time.
www.freddiemercury.com
International rock legend Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar to Parsee parents Bomi
and Jer Bulsara, who named him Farrokh at birth on 5 September 1946.
TanzaniaIcon
34 | Best of Tanzania
39. Best of Tanzania | 35
Edward Tingatinga
Born into a peasant family to parents Saidi
Tingatinga and Agnes Binti Ntembo, Edward
and his mother were Christian and Makua by
tribe, while his father was a Muslim from the
Ngindo tribe. Edward was the first born in a
family of four children.
In 1957, Edward Tingatinga left home in
search of work in the Tanga region. He
worked in the sisal plantations until 1959
before leaving for Dar es Salaam. His cousin
Mzee Lumumba had been living in the city
since 1943 where he was a cook at Oyster
Bay. Lumumba’s employer George Pollack
was so impressed with Tingatinga, that he
employed him as a gardener. When Pollack
left Tanzania, Tingatinga and Lumumba went
to live at Msasani Mikoroshoni.
Tingatinga became a street-vendor selling
fruit and vegetables around Oyster Bay on
a bicycle. He began to discover his creative
talents when he started embroidering pillow
cases, table clothes and bed covers, while
also learning to weave mats and baskets.
Taking up one of the traditions practiced
in his home region, Tingatinga began
decorating houses with wall paintings.
In early 1968 he decided to experiment
with painting by brush and oil colours. He
painted animals, scenes and motifs on
square hardboards, usually 4ft2 in size. The
paintings became in large demand with
numbers of tourists and expats.
Also around this time, Tingatinga joined a
Makonde traditional dance group. He was
good at playing the xylophone. Through this
group, he joined the TANU Youth League, a
political wing of the ruling political party.
In 1970, Tingatinga officially married Agatha
Mataka. In 1972 the TANU Youth League
secured a job for him at the Muhimbili
Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam. Tingatinga
was accidentally killed by a traffic policeman
shortly after, leaving behind two children
– Martina and Daudi. After his death, it
was collectively decided by painters in the
movement to call this painting style “Tinga
Tinga”. Edward Saidi Tingatinga’s legacy
now lives on through this popular Tanzanian
art form.
Possibly Tanzania’s most well-known artist, Edward Saidi Tingatinga was born in 1932
in a village called Namochelia, now called Nakapanya, in Tanzania on the border with
Mozambique.
TanzaniaIcon
40. Filbert Bayi – Tanzania’s most accomplished sportsman
Bayi was born on 23 June 1953 in Karutu,
Arusha in Tanzania. Bayi grew up on a farm
with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
He left school at 17 and moved to Dar es
Salaam. Bayi’s early running interval training
in the capital consisted of him sprinting
alongside a moving bus and resting when
the bus stopped for passengers.
In 1971, Bayi achieved an acceptable
personal best in the 1,500m of 3:52. In
early 1972 as a 19-year-old lightweight,
Bayi’s national wins in the 1,500m (3:45)
and steeplechase (8:55) qualified him to
represent Tanzania at the Olympic Games
in Munich – where he got to compete
alongside his idol, Kenyan Kip Keino.
Bayi came ninth in the steeplechase and
set a new Tanzanian national record with
a time of 8:41.4, but was however out of
the competition. In the 1,500m, Bayi was
eliminated when he finished sixth in heat two
– commendably establishing another new
national record of 3:45.4.
Bayi next competed in the annual East
and Central African Championships, held
in Dar es Salaam. Only three months after
the Olympics, Bayi became the regional
champion in the 1,500m on 3 December
1972 with an impressive win and new
national record of 3:38.9. Bayi was fast
gaining confidence in the face of formidable
competition.
The second All-Africa Games in Lagos,
Nigeria in January 1973 saw Bayi take the
lead from the start of the 1,500m, winning
against Keino with a new national record of
3:37.18. This was a tactic which he began
to frequently adopt in his races and he
became noted worldwide as a Tanzanian
phenomenon.
A string of wins in international competition
followed in 1973. In Paris, Bayi won the
1,000m with an Africa record of 2:19.5,
followed by three 1,500m wins in Sweden.
He then decided to attempt the 800m in
Germany and came second with a new
Tanzania record of 1:46.9. He set a new
1,500m Tanzania record with a win of 3:35.6
at the Aarhus Games in Denmark, which he
bettered at the World Games in Helsinki with
3:34.6. He went on to establish the Tanzania
mile record of 3:52.86 in Stockholm.
At the 1974 Commonwealth Games in
Christchurch, New Zealand, Bayi competed
in the 800m followed by the 1,500m. Bayi
won the first 800m heat and advanced to
the finals after finishing fourth in the semis.
He went on to finish fourth in the finals
with a new Tanzania record of 1:45.32.
His specialisation was the 1,500m and he
finished second in his heat to qualify for
the finals. The finals, Bayi’s most iconic
career race, lingered in the minds of track
enthusiasts for a very long time. Bayi took
the lead from the start, and beating John
Walker of New Zealand and a Kenyan Ben
Jipcho in a thrilling 1,500m race, he finished
with a new world record of 3:32.16 – just
15 months after his mediocre debut at the
Munich Olympics.
This World Record is one of the two longest
lasting in the Commonwealth Games
and remains unbroken. Bayi’s elation
was palatable as he jogged in front of the
appreciating jubilant crowd after his world-
record win.
On 17 May 1975, Bayi competed in the
mile against formidable competition in
Kingston, Jamaica, at the Martin Luther
King International Freedom Games. He took
the lead from the moment the gun went off
and completed this “Dream Mile” in a world
record breaking time of 3:51.
Sadly Bayi could not compete in the
Montreal 1976 Olympic Games due to a
Boycott – right at the height of his career.
Bayi’s success was epitomised in the
3,000m steeplechase of the 1980 Moscow
Olympic Games, where he won a silver
medal. He started the final round ahead of
the world record pace and led for a further
two laps before the finish line – behind
Polish Bronislaw Malinowski. Bayi came in
second to clinch the silver with a time of
8.12,5 – becoming Tanzania’s first Olympic
medallist. Bayi and Suleiman Nyambui
are still the only Tanzanian Olympic medal
winners.
Now a retired Major, Filbert Bayi and his
wife built schools and set up the Filbert Bayi
Foundation to develop youth athletics talent.
He is also the Secretary-General of the
Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC).
www.tanzaniasports.com
Filbert Bayi is Tanzania’s most famous former athlete. His career highlights include winning
the 1974 Commonwealth Championship 1,500m with an unbeaten world record (3:32.16),
and winning an Olympic silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase in 1980 (8:12.48).
TanzaniaIcon
36 | Best of Tanzania
41. Best of Tanzania | 37
Hasheem Thabeet
As the only National Basketball Association
(NBA) basketball player to have ever come
out of Tanzania, Thabeet currently plays at
centre position with number 34 at Oklahoma
City Thunder.
Thabeet hadn’t considered playing
basketball until he watched a street
basketball practice at the age of 15. One
of the players was impressed by his height
and gave Thabeet sports shoes to play
with them the next day. He then played
basketball for the team at his secondary
school in Dar es Salaam, Makongo. He was
selected to compete in the East African
Games in Nairobi, Kenya. There an agent
spotted him and offered him a basketball
scholarship to the United States. Thabeet
took his middle name for his surname on his
father’s death, and left Dar es Salaam for the
United States.
He attended Cypress Christian High School
in Houston, Texas in 2005-06, helping his
team win the State 4A championship for
the sixth time in seven years. He then went
on to the University of Connecticut where
he played for the Connecticut Huskies from
2006 to 2009.
As a freshman at Connecticut in 2006,
Thabeet tied the University record of 10
blocks. Thabeet was named to the 2007
All-Big EastRookie Team. On 5 January 2008
as a sophomore, he tied his career high of
10 blocks. Thabeet was named Big East
Defensive Player of the Year.
Thabeet emerged on the national scene as
a junior. He earned his first career triple-
double on 31 January 2009, with 15 points,
11 rebounds and 10 blocks. He finished
with 152 blocks in the season, and became
known for the shots he prevented. Thabeet
surpassed the 1,000-point mark on March
26, 2009 and helped lead Connecticut to
their first Final Four appearance since 2004.
In April 2009, Thabeet decided to declare
for the 2009 NBA Draft instead of his senior
season. His professional career was ignited
when he was the second pick overall by
the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first
Tanzanian-born NBA player. He also played
D-League for the Dakota Wizards from 2009
to 2010, the Houston Rockets from 2011 to
2012, the Rio Grande Vipers D-League in
2011, and the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012.
On 11 July 2012, he signed as a free agent
with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the
2012-13 season. Thabeet has played 135
professional games in his career and had
his best season from 2009 to 2010 with
Memphis Grizzlies.
At a height of over seven feet (2.21 metres)
and weighing 119 kilograms, he is the tallest
active player in the NBA.
His career highlights and awards include
winning the NABC Defensive Player of the
year twice in 2008 and 2009, Second Team
All-America, and the Big East Player of the
Year in 2009.
www.thetallestman.com
www.nba.com
Tanzanian basketball player Hasheem Thabeet was born Hashim Thabit Manka on
16 February 1987 in Dar es Salaam – the son of Thabit Manka and Rukia Manka. His
mother lives in Dar es Salaam and he has a sister, Sham, and a brother, Akbar.
TanzaniaIcon
42. Sport in Tanzania
Like most other African nations, sport in Tanzania is a unifying force with multitudes of
fans – particularly in football. Football is widely played all over Tanzania, which has two
main clubs – Young African Sports Club (Yanga) and Simba Sports Club (Simba).
The country’s Mainland League is closely
followed, creating spirited rivalries among
cities such as Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
This unwavering support of football is
despite seldom success from the national
team – showing a true passion for the
beautiful game.
Prolific footballers include Eddie Anaclet and
Said Maulid. Well known football clubs are
Simba SC, Prisons FC, Young Africans FC,
Kahama United, and Moro United.
Tanzania’s well-known football stadiums
include Jamhuri Stadium, Kambarage
Stadium, Amaan Stadium, Manungu
Stadium, Umoja Stadium, CCM Kirumba
Stadium, and Lake Tanganyika Stadium.
There are a number of sports clubs
throughout the country, such as The Heron
Recreation Centre in Arusha, the Raskazne
Swimming Club in Tanga, the Upanga
Sports Club in Dar es Salaam, and the
Salander Bridge Cub in Dar es Salaam.
The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is the
National Stadium of Tanzania. This multi-
purpose stadium in Dar es Salaam is named
after the third president of Tanzania. It is
mostly used for football matches and can
seat 60,000 people. Constructed by the
Beijing Construction Engineering Company
Limited and costing a total of TZS 56.4-
billion, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium opened in
2007. It is built in accordance with FIFA and
Olympic Standards and replaced the William
Mkapa Stadium as the national stadium.
Basketball is a popular sport in schools
and within the Tanzanian army. Hasheem
Thabeet is Tanzania’s first NBA player and
currently plays for Oklahoma City Thunder.
At 2.21 metres tall, Thabeet is the tallest
active NBA player.
After Tanzania hosted the ICC Cricket
League division 4 in 2008 and achieved one
win in the tournament, cricket has received
a major boost in the country and is growing
rapidly. Tanzania also has its own national
cricket team.
Partly due to the British influence, Rugby
union is a growing sport in Tanzania
although still minor.
Other sports in Tanzania include boxing,
cycling, athletics, rugby, scouting, fishing,
golf, hockey, hunting, tennis, and volleyball.
Sport in Tanzania is evolving and is set to
produce eminent sportsmen and women in
the near future.
Tanzania organised a national Olympic
committee in 1968, becoming recognised
by the International Olympic Committee.
38 | Best of Tanzania
43. Athletes representing Tanganyika
participated in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics,
and Tanzania made its debut at the 1968
Mexico City Olympics. Since then, Tanzania
has participated in every Olympics except
for 1976. Tanzania’s Olympic medal
winners are Filbert Bayi and Suleiman
Nyambui – both from the 1980 Moscow
Olympics. Tanzania also competes in the
Commonwealth Games and the African
Championships in Athletics.
Prominent names in Tanzanian athletics
have included Boay Akonay, Martin
Sulle, Lwiza John, Faustin Baha, Fabiano
Joseph, Damian Paul Chopa and Francis
Naali. Some of the well-known Olympic
competitors from Tanzania are Restituta
Joseph, Agapius Masong, Ikaji Salam, Juma
Ikangaa, Zebedayo Bayo and John Nada
Saya.
The government of Tanzania is actively
taking steps to improve coaching
facilities to foster young talents. Sports
committees exist to improve the standards
of sport, namely the National Sports
Council of Tanzania and the National
Sports Association. It is hoped that the
improvement in Tanzanian sport will see
more of an impact on the world arena.
At school level, sports education in Tanzania
is highly developed, with an emphasis
on physical fitness in the curriculum. For
recreation, Tanzanian children competitively
play marbles, catchers, and soccer –
nurturing a competitive love of sport from
early on. The beautiful climate, outdoor
culture, and strength in the heritage of the
Tanzanian people, all make for a sturdy
platform for sports development in Tanzania.
The near future may well see Tanzanian
sports stars lighting up the world stage.
Best of Tanzania | 39
45. Best of Tanzania | 41
Flaviana Matata
Having lost her mother in her childhood to
the tragic boat accident of the ferry boat
MV Bukoba that capsised on Lake Victoria,
Flaviana grew up with her siblings raised
by a single parent. She studied Electrical
Engineering in Arusha Technical College.
Her star started shining when she shot to
international fame in 2007 after she won the
Miss Universe Tanzania title and became the
first woman to represent her country in the
pageant history.
Flaviana also was the first bald woman to
compete in a beauty pageant, defying the
notion of beauty.
Her natural African look and her charming
personality propelled her to 6th place in the
finals of Miss Universe 2007 in Mexico City.
But this was just a first step for this bold
African. She served her title with outstanding
charity activities, including being Goodwill
Ambassador of SOS Children’s Village
Tanzania and working with youth on drug
addiction.
Flaviana also travelled the world as
Tanzania’s representative in various events
including the glamorous esteemed Budapest
Opera Ball in 2008.
After finishing her reign as Miss Universe
Tanzania, Flaviana continued with her
modelling career in South Africa with Ice
Models. She is currently signed with Boss
Models SA.
In a visit to a charity event in New
York, Flaviana was discovered by Russell
Simmons who helped her secure interviews
with modelling agencies in the US. She went
on to sign with international agency – Next.
She now works with Next Europe (UK, Paris
and Milan), Wilhelmina Models US and Boss
Models South Africa.
Flaviana is currently living and working
in New York and has been listed in the top
10 Black Models in Essence Magazine and
online magazine, Models and Moguls.
Flaviana has worked with some of the
most respected professionals in the fashion
industry. She has strutted the catwalk for
Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Wu, Rachel Roy,
Charlotte Ronson, Tony Burch and Vivienne
Westwood, among others. Her photos
have been taken by some of the most
prominent photographers in the industry like
Russell James, her mentor Fadil Berisha,
Josh Ollin, Mario Torres, Jenni Hare,
Patrick Demarchelier, Klas Strom, Caroline
Templeton, Jason Kibler, Alasdair McClellan,
Methew Kristal.
Flaviana has also been part of photo
shoots of major brands by outstanding
photographers like i-D denim campaign
by Mark Kean, Hockley look book by Haifa
Wohlers Olsen, Hunger by Rankin, Grazia
main beauty by Paul Scala, Arise Magazine
by Claudette Prosper, Laha Magazine by
Andrew Hobb, just to mention a few.
Flaviana has graced the catwalks of New
York, London and Paris.
This African star won the Model of the
Year 2011 award at the Arise Magazine
Fashion week in Lagos, Nigeria.
Flaviana was also part of Top Shop
campaign in Europe and USA and the TiGi
hair campaign, Selfridges Beauty campaign,
Sony worldwide campaign and Face Lace
campaign.
Flaviana was featured in various
prestigious magazines including Essence,
Nylon magazine, Glass magazine, Arise
Magazine, FA Japan, the high fashion
L’Officiel Paris magazine, the Hunger
editorial, Vision magazine – China, Grazia
Italy and UK, Elle magazine and Schon
magazine.
This African model has also modelled for
the catalogues of Macy and Sheri Hill just to
mention a few.
Apart from her modelling career, Flaviana
is also turning her attention to charity.
She is Angel Ambassador of Diamond
Empowerment Fund (DEF) along with Kim
Kardashian, Nicola Breytenbach-Steiner and
Selita Banks – all are working closely with
Russell Simmons, on various charities in
Africa.
Through her foundation – Flaviana Matata
Foundation – she is reaching out and
helping women and children of her home
country Tanzania, through various charity
activities.
Flaviana is also the Goodwill Ambassador
of Mitindo House – a Tanzanian charity.
Flaviana is also working with Life project
for Africa, Malaika for Life, Usher New Look,
Malaria No More. Hassan Maajar Trust and
has worked with various philanthropists in
different projects including Carlton Masters
and Hope Sullivan, just to mention a few.
Flaviana Matata is on her path to achieve
her dreams and is available for various
engagements through her agency.
Born and raised in Tanzania, Flaviana Matata’s stellar rise in the
modelling industry sounds like a fairy tale; an inspiration to many
African women.
TanzaniaIcon
Photo: Jonathan Knowles
48. Hotel Sea Cliff is the perfect Dar es Salaam
stop-over base to explore this buzzing
city, as well as a luxury getaway for those
seeking romance and pampering.
All 93 rooms are beautifully furnished
and include seven executive rooms,
five executive suites, and a magnificent
presidential/honeymoon suite with
panoramic views out to sea and looking over
the beautifully manicured tropical garden.
The hotel is conveniently located just 5km
from the hustle and bustle of the city centre
and nearby all the popular bars, restaurants
and shopping areas. It has a fitness
centre, large outdoor swimming pool, two
restaurants, bar/lounge area, hair and beauty
salon, gift shop, jewellers and casino on
site. Next door, the Village Shopping Centre
provides a wide range of eateries and shops.
The two restaurants (Karambezi and Alcove)
are two of the most popular venues in Dar
es Salaam, offering breathtaking views and a
mouth-watering menu of seafood specialities
and a wide selection of international cuisine.
The breakfast buffet served in the morning at
Karambezi, coupled with the view is simply
an experience not to be missed!
On entering the hotel, you are guaranteed a
warm Tanzanian welcome and huge smiles
from everyone you meet. The hotel prides
itself on trying harder and going further to
deliver the very highest level of service and
constant attention to detail.
It is also well set up for the business
traveller, offering complimentary Internet,
an Executive Floor, conference rooms, a
business centre, secretarial services, audio
visual equipment, flight booking, car hire
and airport transfer services…
Whatever you’re looking for, Hotel Sea
Cliff is the ultimate choice and their team
will look forward to greeting you with a big
“karibu”!
Tel: +255 764 700 600
reservations@hotelseacliff.com
marketing@hotelseacliff.com
www.hotelseacliff.com
Hotel Sea Cliff
Hotel Sea Cliff is a stunning 5-star hotel located majestically on
top of a cliff jutting out over the turquoise waters of the Indian
Ocean.
44 | Best of Tanzania
49.
50. The Hotel comprises of 68 Luxury Service
Suites, consisting of studios, one bedroom
suites and two bedroom suites.
Sea Cliff Court Hotel & Luxury Apartments
offers both serviced and fully equipped
suites for self-catering business trips as well
as holiday stays.
Packages range from a Studio Apartment
on daily Bed and Breakfast rates to a two
bedroom apartment on a monthly self-
catering rate.
All Suites are elegantly decorated in
a modern afro-influenced design, with
the majority of the furniture and all of
the artwork being locally handcrafted in
Tanzania.
The Hotel & Luxury Apartments offer the
following:
Accommodation:
All suites are elegantly decorated in a
modern afro-influenced design. Each suite
has a kitchen which can be equipped for self
catering on request.
The Hotel & Apartments are fully air-
conditioned and offer:
bedroom apartments)
movies are available upon request
STUDIOS – A bedroom with a double bed,
bathroom, all room facilities and kitchen.
ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT – A
separate bedroom with a double bed,
a spacious living room with sofa bed, a
bathroom, washing machine, kitchen and all
room facilities.
TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT – Two
separate bedrooms (one double and one
twin room), a spacious living room with sofa
bed, a bathroom, washing machine, kitchen
and all room facilities.
Contact Details
SEA CLIFF COURT LTD.
Haile Selassie Road, Msasani Penninsular
P.O Box 3030, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: + 255 22 2601968/7
+255 22 260 2528
Fax: +255 22 260 1975
info@seacliffcourt.com
reservations@seacliffcourt.com
www.seacliffcourt.com
Sea Cliff Court Hotel & Luxury Apartments
The Hotel & Luxury Apartment Complex is conveniently and
centrally situated on the Msasani Peninsular.
46 | Best of Tanzania
51. Best of Tanzania | 47
Sea Cliff Resort & Spa
road through a coconut plantation that leads
to the hotel is a reminder of the Zanzibar of
old. Peace and tranquillity, no other hotels or
busy roads; just open space and palm trees.
With traditional makuti roofs and Arabic
towers lit by brass lights, the hotel is built
with the location in mind. It is a unique
combination of modern facilities and the
original exotic architecture of historical
Zanzibar.
The hotel is situated on a cliff overlooking
the Indian ocean and offers panoramic views
from the lounge, restaurant, bar and the
recreation area, as well as both of the infinity
swimming pools and most of the hotel
rooms.
There is a lovely jetty that offers the perfect
place from which to enjoy sundowners
whilst watching a beautiful sunset that the
west coast of Zanzibar is famous for.
The hotel offers a number of activities for the
energetic, including a fully equipped gym, a
water sports centre offering a wide range of
activates including water skiing, sailing etc,
two tennis courts, horse riding, light tackle
fishing, volleyball court, as well as a squash
court and bicycles for rides through the
coconut plantation.
For guests wanting to relax and be
pampered, there is the Shwari Spa. With
five treatment rooms offering a range of
treatments including manicures, pedicures,
facials and massages by Thai therapists.
After your treatment you can take a swim in
the spa’s private pool or sit and enjoy a cup
of herbal tea in the spa gardens.
There is also a full-time children’s centre
supervised by professional child minders.
perfect hotel for romance, relaxation and
rejuvenation in a luxurious environment in
a unique destination filled with history and
character, beautiful beaches and wonderful
people.
Sea Cliff Resort & Spa
Zanzibar
Tel: + 255 676702241-9
Email: marketing@seacliffzanzibar.com
www.seacliffzanzibar.com
on the West Coast of the exotic Island of Zanzibar, conveniently
52. Serena Hotels has the perfect safari selection for any holiday, with
a wide range of getaways to choose from at affordable rates. The
Serena properties in Tanzania are jewels in the crown.
Serena offers the ultimate adventure getaways in the north. The safari
experience with Serena Hotels is not complete without exploring the
outdoor activities.
Serena Mountain Village in Arusha
and the lake through the shaded groves of coffee plantations; with
canoe along the shores of the lake or take on Mt. Meru – Africa’s fifth
highest mountain – for a rewarding climb, walk or hike.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
This lodge offers cycling and a breathtaking view of the landscape
Village – Mto wa Mbu – on the lake’s shores, which is a living
different tribes, it is possibly the only place in Africa where Bantu,
Nilotic, Khoisan and Cushitic are all spoken.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
mankind’ and site of one of the most important and controversial
Palaeolithic finds in recent history. Indulge in an open-air crater
barbecue lunch or just relax with our selected range of beauty and
health services.
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
This getaway is a true African experience. This offers either a hot
air balloon safari with magnificent views of the plains below or a
succulent bush barbecue dinner and breakfast, staged on the bluff
overlooking the Mbingwe valley.
Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp
The ultimate in infinite calm, Mbuzi Mawe offers a timeless blend
of classical safari and world-class sophistication. The sundowners,
camp’s own kopjes are simply unforgettable.
Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp
The evocatively set camp is the epitome of a classic safari
experience and a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Selous Luxury Camp and Mivumo River Lodge
World Heritage Site, it is the largest game reserve in Africa with
species; Africa’s largest population of hartebeest, gnu, sable and
buffalo; half of Tanzania’s elephant population; and one third of
Africa’s population of the endangered wild dog.
Zanzibar Serena Inn
Zanzibar and the ancient Stone Town are rich in history; noted in the
architecture. The legendary Inn is a member of the prestigious Small
Luxury Hotels of the World. Mangapwani Beach Club culminates in
adventure, calm and romance. The freshest seafood can be sampled
Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel
At the heart of Dar es Salaam is this oasis of luxury. Whether for
business or a city getaway, the choice of restaurants and bars,
the sundeck, live music, the health club and recreations, are on
offer for all.
Victoria Nyamunga | Serena Hotels
4th Floor, Williamson House,
4th Ngong Avenue
P.O. Box 48690 GPO, 00100
Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa
Tel: +254 20 284 2238
Fax: +254 20 271 8103
Mobile: +254 734 699 868
Email: vnyamunga@serena.co.ke
Web: www.serenahotels.com
Serena Hotels
Enjoy East Africa’s Best Kept Secret…
48 | Best of Tanzania
53.
54. Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam City Centre
International Airport in Dar es Salaam’s
major business district, Holiday Inn Dar es
Salaam City Centre is a peaceful haven
away from the city streets. Your sleek guest
room is a stylish home away from home with
air conditioning to keep you cool.
the thatched canopy of rooftop Al Dar
Host your presentation in one of our five
modern meeting rooms with wireless
Internet, and ask about our good-value
package to enjoy refreshments and a three-
course lunch. Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam
City Centre’s business district location puts
embassies, banks and government offices
on your doorstep.
Our helpful staff can help plan wildlife
safaris or trips to Zanzibar’s aromatic spice
plantations. The ferry terminal for exotic
hotel.
with an indulgent facial in the spa. The
menu is as colourful as the decor in
Tanzanian dishes like pumpkin and sweet
potato curry are served.
Features
for luxury extras like bathrobes and a
spa bath. You’ll also enjoy access to the
complimentary breakfast and snacks and
refreshments served throughout the day.
www.holidayinn.com
Make the Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam City Centre hotel your relaxing
retreat in the heart of the bustling Tanzanian capital.
50 | Best of Tanzania