PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has recognised a veteran musician Mzee Steve Hiza with a 50m/- award during the Tanzania Music Awards (TMA), where Naseeb Abdul alias ‘Diamond Platnumz’ dominated the night with five accolades.
The colourful event took place in Dar es Salaam on Saturday evening and icing on the cake of the evening was Mzee Hiza receiving the newly introduced Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring song, “Tanzania ndio nchi ya Furaha,” by Atomic Jazz Band which has resonated through generations.
Originally produced in 1967, the song has been a staple since the era of the country’s first President, Julius Nyerere and is frequently played at official events. It celebrates the joy and unity found in Tanzania while honouring Nyerere’s role in the country’s independence.
“I am grateful that this song is played at various events, both within and outside the country. Special thanks to President Samia for her generous support,” Hiza expressed.
He also mentioned that despite his age, he continues to compose and plans to release a new song dedicated to President Samia.
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The award was presented to Hiza by Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports Damas Ndumbaro, who praised the TMA organisers for introducing the Lifetime Achievement category.
Meanwhile, it was a triumphant night for Diamond Platnumz, who secured the titles of Best Male Artiste of the Year, Best Male Performer of the Year, Best Dance Music of the Year ( “Awii”), Best Video of the Year (also “Awii”) and Best Collaboration of the Year ( “Enjoy”).
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Faustina Mfinanga, known as Nandy, was awarded Best Female Artiste of the Year, while Zuhura Othman or Zuchu and took home the titles of Best Female Music Performer and Best Female Bongo Flava Singer.
Veteran artist Ali Kiba won Best Bongo Flava Song of the Year for “Mahaba,” and Salmin Maengo (s2Kizzy), was recognised as Best Music Producer of the Year. Omary Mwanga or Mario, clinched both Best Songwriter of the Year and Best Male Bongo Flava Artiste of the Year. Dulla Makabila was awarded Best Singeli Artiste of the Year.
The hip-hop community shone through with Young Lunya winning Best Hip-hop Artiste of the Year and Best Hip-hop Song of the Year. Rajab Kahali, known as Harmonize, also excelled, winning Best Album of the Year for “Visit Bongo” and Best Song of the Year for “Single Again.”
The evening was a vibrant celebration of Tanzania’s musical talent and legacy.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania today declared the end of Marburg virus disease outbreak after recording no new cases over 42 days since the death of the last confirmed case on 28 January 2025.
The outbreak, in which two confirmed and eight probable cases were recorded (all deceased), was the second the country has experienced. Both this outbreak, which was declared on 20 January 2025, and the one in 2023 occurred in the north-eastern Kagera region.
In response to the latest outbreak, Tanzania’s health authorities set up coordination and response systems, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, at the national and regional levels and reinforced control measures to swiftly detect cases, enhance clinical care, infection prevention as well as strengthen collaboration with communities to raise awareness and help curb further spread of the virus.
Growing expertise in public health emergency response in the African region has been crucial in mounting effective outbreak control measures. Drawing on experience from the response to the 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreak, WHO worked closely with Tanzanian health authorities to rapidly scale up key measures such as disease surveillance and trained more than 1000 frontline health workers in contact tracing, clinical care and public health risk communication. The Organization also delivered over five tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment.
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Building on the momentum during the acute phase of the outbreak response, measures have been put in place to reinforce the capacity of local health facilities to respond to potential future outbreaks. WHO and partners are procuring additional laboratory supplies and other equipment for disease detection and surveillance and other critical services.
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Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
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