Women who made great strides 2015

Generally the year 2015 has been a year of major events in Tanzania’s political arena. The process of obtaing a new constitution, Presideantial General Election are mentioned to be among the major events that happened this year. Woman brings you four women who made headlines in 2015 in their respective fields. Whereas politics dominated most agendas in 2015, there are women in other fields such as the entertainment and modeling industry who had big achievements that resonated not only in Tanzania, but across the African continent.

Samia Suluhu, Vice President

To start off, we look at a woman who is currently considered to be the strongest woman in Tanzanian politics, the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu. For the first time in the history of Tanzanian politics, Hassan was in October this year elected as the first ever female vice president. Suluhu is a native of Zanzibar and a former Member of Parliament for Makunduchi Constituency from 2010 to 2015 and has been Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office for Union Affairs since 2010.

In July 2015, President Magufuli chose Suluhu as his running mate for the 2015 election, making her the first female running mate in the party’s history. Suluhu beat two other female CCM candidates Amina Ali and Asha-Rose Migiro who came second and third respectively.

However, this is not the first time Suluhu has made headlines as a top female leader. She once served as the only high ranking woman minister in Zanzibar after then president Amani Abeid Karume appointed her to his cabinet.

Her political journey began in 2000 after she was elecetd as a special seat member to Zanzibar’s House of Represntatives. She also worked as a clerk at the ministry of planning and development before joining the World Food Programme then leaving for UK to study economics at the University of Manchester in 1992.

She is a married woman to Hafidh Ameidh, a retired agricultural officer with whom they have four children. One of her children is also a special seat member in the House of Representatives.

Anna Mghwira – Politician

During the Presidential General Elections this year, we had one female candidate who defied odds and fought the battle up to the last minute. Mghwira, a representative of the new political party ACT-Wazalendo ran for the top job in Tanzania but fell short. But even in defeat, the whole country praised her for her boldness and political will. Her conduct throughout the entire election period, and the fact that she was the only woman running for the top office made her stand out. She was gracious in defeat and her demeanor plus composure is indicative of her status as an outstanding woman.

Mghwira was born in 1959 in Singida and is a mother of three children and a grandmother. Just like most Tanzanian women, Mghwira has been engaging in entrepreneurship projects. Apart from her political career, she is also a farmer. She will forever be remembered for the strong fight she put up in this year’s elections.

Vanessa Mdee – Artist

Also known as Vee money, Mdee has had quite an extraordinary year. She is a recording artist, songwriter, youth activists, Radio and TV host. This year she scooped several local and international awards in the music industry. Some of her international awards include Best female East Africa at Afrimma and Best pop Africa at All Africa Music Awards. Towards the end of the year, MTV Base Africa released names of top five female music artists in Africa. Vanessa Mdee took second spot behind Nigeria’s Yemi Alade.

Mdee is popularly known for being the first ever Tanzanian MTV VJ. She later rose to prominence as a radio and TV host, hosting Epic Bongo Star Search and Dume Challenge for ITV Tanzania while also working as a radio presenter at Choice FM.

Some of her achievements this year

On 26 March 2015, Vanessa Mdee released her fifth single Nobody But Me where she joins with heavy hitting South African rapper K.O. Composed by Vanessa Mdee, Ntokozo Mdluli and Nahreel, the light hearted collabo transcended from the airwaves to the club. Nobody But Me topped charts in various countries in Africa.

On 4 April 2015 - Vanessa Mdee performed in Lagaos, Nigeria at the Gidi Culture Festival known to be Africa’s biggest beach festival, that was presented by Eclipse Live and Lagos State. The festival was held at Eko Atlantic. Vanessa Mdee shared the stage with some of the continent’s top artists like Burna Boy, Awilo Longomba, M.I, Waje, Sean Tizzle, Victoria Kimani, Efya, Skales and many more. Vanessa Mdee was the only artist representing Tanzania at the festival.

AT KTMA this year, Mdee was up for three awards, Female Artist of the Year, Female Entertainer of the Year and Afropop Song of the Year. She took home awards for female artist of the year and female entertainer of the year.

May 13, 2015 Vanessa Mdee joined forces with arguably seven of Africa’s most popular songstresses for ONE mission and ONE mission only - Celebrating girl power! The campaign is called on world leaders to put girls and women in the forefront in 2015. This is the year when the new development goals were set by world leaders at the United Nations. Apart from Vanessa Mdee, the other artists are Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Waje (Nigeria), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selomor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe) and Blessing Nwafor. The song promotes the Poverty is Sexist Campaign globally, and was officially launched in Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa during the World Economic Forum for Africa and the African Union Heads of State Summit.

The song was released in conjunction with a report by ONE titled, “Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty”. The report shows how unlocking women’s economic potential could improve the lives of everyone in society. It also illustrates the structural nature of the social, economic, political and cultural barriers that militate against women and girls. The campaign has a petition which is calling on world leaders to track the fight against inequality and injustice by investing more in women and girls if the world is to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Essence, a popular US magazine - hadn’t shot a cover in Africa since 1978. They decided it was time. They travelled to East Africa and photographed Erykah Badu in Zanzibar, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya for the August issue. Vanessa Mdee featured in this Essence issue where she opened up about Tanzania, her music, inspiration and many more

Millen Magese, Model

Millen Magese is one of the most recognisable Tanzanian models at the international stage. She has managed to stay at the top of her game for nearly two decades. She first rose to prominence in 2001 after she won the Miss Tanzania crown.

After going through ups and downs back at home, Magese decided to go abroad where she managed to establish herself among the top models. Since then, she has been working closely with her society back in Tanzania while living in South Africa. Her efforts are mostly humanitarian through her campaign to raise awareness for Endometriosis in Africa. From recruiting others to help in her vision to starting up campaigns like ‘Many Faces of Endo’ and events to spread the word, Millen has gone the extra mile in ensuring that more Africans are aware of this health issue – one she is dealing with herself.

Her efforts were recognised in July this year after she was awarded the 1st ever Black Entertainment Televison Global Good Awrd for humanitarian work. An award given to highlight the humanitarian efforts of global personalities and celebrities in communities around the world. Her award was given to her by African designer and friend David Tlale.

She was quoted saying from her Instagram page “As the time draws closer, memories of the struggle with Endometriosis come flooding in. There have been many times where I questioned why I had to go through such pain. I kept my silence for so long, ashamed of what might be said.

Endometriosis is so misunderstood on may levels. After speaking out, many times I wanted top stop and go back into hiding, but I had already set an example I couldnt retract.

Today I stand tall on the shoulders of that decision and I thank each and every one who has supported me and my journey. Special thanks to @bet_intl for honoring me with the Global Good Award. Our voice has been heard.“

[email protected]