Tanzanians unite to champion conservation in new national campaign
Dar es Salaam. Tanzanians from all walks of life—celebrities, professionals, and everyday citizens—gathered in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday to rally behind a growing call to protect the country’s natural heritage, underscoring that everyone has a role to play in environmental conservation.
The event, held at the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) studios, was part of the Mimi ni Muhifadhi (I am a Conservationist) campaign, which aims to foster a nationwide sense of shared responsibility for the environment.
It highlighted the deep, intrinsic connections between Tanzanians and nature, and how those ties cut across backgrounds, professions, and social status.
Among the prominent voices lending their support were renowned singer and television personality Nakaaya Sumari, music duo Navy Kenzo, and Professor Mohamed Janabi, Tanzania’s newly appointed Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organization.
“Nature is Tanzania. Nature is for everyone,” said Nakaaya in her address, urging Tanzanians to reconnect with the natural world. “Spend time outside with your family or friends. Don’t eat unregulated wild meat, don’t throw plastic where it shouldn’t go, and think twice before cutting down a tree,” she advised.
The campaign's message also resonated at the grassroots level. Hassan Sengo, a boda boda rider featured in two campaign videos to be aired on TBC and social media, shared how nature supports his everyday work. “I wait for passengers under a neem tree—it gives me shade. Whether you're in the village or the city, nature helps us all,” he said.
Musicians Navy Kenzo also shared their perspective, highlighting nature’s creative value. “We get inspiration for our music from nature,” they said. “As Tanzanians, our identity, our economy, and our future depend on using nature sustainably. Sisi ni wahifadhi!”
Tanzania’s landscapes are not only breathtaking—they are also critical to the country’s economy and identity. The nation boasts the largest wild lion population in the world and the second-largest population of elephants. Approximately 18 percent of the country’s GDP and 1.5 million jobs are generated through tourism, much of which depends on the country’s natural attractions. In rural areas, tourism revenue contributes directly to education, health services, and infrastructure.
The Mimi ni Muhifadhi campaign, backed by the Community Wildlife Management Areas Consortium (CWMAC), Honeyguide Foundation, and WildAid, with support from TBC and the Safari Channel, hopes to inspire every Tanzanian to recognize their connection to nature and take steps to preserve it.
For Neema Mduma, a waitress in a Dar es Salaam café, nature means something deeply personal. When asked what it means to her, she replied simply: “Happiness.”
