Goodbye, Lundenga, the heart behind Miss Tanzania and modern Arts

Dar es Salaam. The nation is in deep mourning following the death of a legend in the entertainment, arts, and sports industries, Hashim Lundenga.

Lundenga passed away on April 19, 2025, after a long illness. He will be laid to rest on Monday, April 21, at the Kidatu Cemetery in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region.

The late Lundenga, popularly known as “Uncle Hashim,” was not just a name, but a symbol of social, cultural, and even economic transformation for many young Tanzanians, especially through the beauty and entertainment industry.

To those who lived during his era and witnessed his work, the name Lundenga brings memories of the Miss Tanzania beauty pageant.

However, his contributions extended far beyond that. He touched the lives of artists, athletes, journalists, and even political leaders in a unique way, using the arts as a platform to build and shape society.

Lundenga began his professional life as an employee at the Urafiki Textile Factory.

It was there that he started gaining recognition as an entertainment enthusiast and became one of the founders of the Tanzania Disco Music Association (TDMA), an organization that promoted disco music and various entertainment competitions across the country.

Through TDMA, Lundenga started as the association’s secretary before rising to become its chairman. In that role, he organized disco competitions that rocked the nation from the 1980s through the early 1990s.

These competitions attracted many young people and provided a stage for new talent to shine.

This was only the beginning for Lundenga, a man who always believed that arts and entertainment could be powerful tools for social change.

Lundenga in football

The late Hashim Lundenga was not only a pioneer in the world of beauty pageants and entertainment, but he was also a passionate football lover.

His love for the game was evident throughout his life, and he remained closely connected to the sport until his passing. Lundenga was a devoted member of one of Tanzania’s most celebrated football clubs, Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga).

His support for the club went beyond being a fan—he played a crucial role in strengthening its foundation.

He was the founder of the famous “Yanga Family,” a dedicated group of Yanga supporters who joined forces with the aim of contributing financially to the club.

The group worked closely with the club’s leadership to ensure that players received direct monetary support as motivation and encouragement.

This initiative not only boosted team morale but also set a precedent for fan involvement in club development.

Lundenga’s contribution to football didn’t end there. In his home neighborhood of Kimara Stop Over in Dar es Salaam, he founded a local football club named Stop Over FC.

 The club quickly became known for its ability to nurture young talent. Over the years, Stop Over FC produced numerous players who went on to shine in Tanzania’s Premier League, joining top-flight clubs and making names for themselves on a national stage.

The birth of Miss Tanzania

In his quest to find new ways to nurture talent and empower Tanzanian girls, Lundenga came up with the idea to organize the Miss Tanzania beauty pageant.

It is well known that Miss Tanzania was first held in 1967 but was later banned by the government. Lundenga decided to re-establish the event and put the idea into action in 1993, and in 1994, the first Miss Tanzania competition was held at White Sands Hotel, with Aina Maeda winning the crown.

 Lundenga successfully organized this event in collaboration with Prashant Patel, who served as the Chairman of the Miss Tanzania committee at that time.

This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the country—a history of empowering women through beauty and culture.

Challenges and struggles

In 1995, Lundenga faced his first major challenge in his Miss Tanzania journey.

That year’s winner, Emily Adolf, was a student, which sparked controversy with the government, leading to threats of banning the competition altogether.

 However, Lundenga did not give up. Together with his partners, they fought hard to preserve the dignity of the pageant.

Eventually, an agreement was reached with the government that no student would be allowed to participate in Miss Tanzania going forward, a decision that laid a strong foundation for the pageant’s new rules and direction.

Elevating the pageant’s status

Following that controversy, Lundenga focused on raising the standard of the Miss Tanzania competition.

He began seeking sponsorship to make the event more attractive and impactful. These efforts bore fruit in 1997 when Aspen Cigarette Company came on board as the main sponsor.

That year’s winner, Saida Kessy from Arusha, was awarded a car— a prize that boosted the excitement surrounding the competition nationwide.

The arrival of such grand prizes didn’t stop with cars. In later years, Lundenga invited international artists such as TKZee from South Africa to boost the entertainment value during the grand finale of the competition.

The revolutionary year 2005

For many Miss Tanzania followers, 2005 is remembered as a revolutionary year.

That’s when Nancy Sumari won the crown under the sponsorship of Ocean Sandals (OK Plast). Nancy was awarded a house in Tabata—a prize that sent a strong message to the community about the value of female talent.

Nancy didn’t stop there—she went on to win the Miss World Africa title and ranked among the Top 10 finalists globally.

 This was a historic moment that placed Tanzania on the global map through the beauty industry—all under the sponsorship, leadership, and vision of Hashim Lundenga.

Beyond beauty

Despite the success of Miss Tanzania, Lundenga’s impact wasn’t limited to beauty.

To ensure that beauty queens developed a mindset of service and progress, Lundenga encouraged them to establish foundations aimed at helping communities.

Through these foundations, many queens engaged in social initiatives even after their reigns.

One such example is Brigitte Alfred, who founded the BAF Foundation in 2013, which worked to fight harmful myths about people with albinism.

Lundenga also used the Miss Tanzania platform to help girls secure employment, gain scholarships abroad, and access entrepreneurial opportunities.

He was a reliable believer in empowering women and youth. He once said, “Beauty is not just about appearance, but about intelligence, ethics, and a desire to serve the community.” This quote reflects how he used the arts as a true agent of change.

Lundenga also mentored various talent competitions and often collaborated with media outlets and private institutions to ensure young people had opportunities to showcase their abilities.

A nation in mourning

The death of Hashim Lundenga is a tremendous loss for Tanzania.

It leaves a void that cannot be easily filled. Family, friends, entertainment stakeholders, and artists have lost a mentor, a friend, and a leader.

To many, he was like the father of modern Tanzanian arts—a visionary who saw opportunities where none existed and created pathways for others to follow.

Many of the former Miss Tanzania winners have gone on to become leaders, entrepreneurs, ambassadors of international organizations, and advocates for social development.

All this is the fruit of the seeds Lundenga planted with a sincere heart.

Lundenga has left an indelible mark. His life is a lesson in vision, perseverance, hard work, and faith in the youth.

He taught us that the arts are more than just entertainment—they are a tool for transformation. We will remember him not only for Miss Tanzania but for the life he lived—a life of service to society.

Rest in peace, “Uncle” Hashim Lundenga—a legend of arts, entertainment, and youth development in Tanzania. The nation will remember you forever.