This is a list of notable people from Tanzania.
Actors
Artists
George Lilanga (1934–2005), Makonde artist
Business people Jayantilal Chande (1928–2017), businessman and philanthropist Reginald Mengi (c.1943–2019) Ali Mufuruki (1959–2019) Mohammed Dewji (born 1975)
Fashion
Mustafa Hassanali (born 1980), fashion designer Nancy Sumari (born 1986), Miss Tanzania 2005 Flaviana Matata (born 1987), fashion
Human rights Geline Fuko (born c.1980), lawyer and human rights activist Fatma Karume, lawyer, human rights Salma Kikwete (born 1963), wife of President Jakaya Kikwete Kinjikitile Ngwale (died 1905), medium and leader of the Maji Maji Rebellion John Okello (1937–1971), revolutionary Rakesh Rajani (born 1966), world civil society leader Maria Sarungi Tsehai, activist Anna Tibaijuka (born 1950), Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Frederick Werema (born 1954), former attorney general of Tanzania
Media
Benjamin Fernandes (born 1992), TV presenter and public speaker Sajjad Fazel, (born 1991), health researcher and columnist
Musicians Siti binti Saad (1880–1950), Taarab singer Bi Kidude (c. 1910s–2013), Zanzibari Taarab singer Hukwe Zawose (1938–2003), singer Freddie Mercury (1946–1991), lead singer of Queen George Kinyonga (died 1992), Kenyan/Tanzanian musician Bakar (born 1992), singer Daniel Owino Misiani (1940–2006), Kenyan/Tanzanian benga musician Cool James (1970–2002), rapper Joseph Mbilinyi (Mr. II) (born 1972), rapper Imani Sanga (born 1972), composer and ethnomusicologist Joseph Haule (Professor Jay) (born 1975), rapper Rose Mhando (born 1976), gospel singer Saida Karoli (born 1976), singer Lady Jaydee (born 1979), pop singer Dully Sykes (born 1981), rapper Tumi Molekane (born 1981), South African/Tanzanian rapper Ray C (born 1982), artist, singer-songwriter Nakaaya Sumari (born 1982), model and singer Baby Madaha (born 1988), singer Diamond Platnumz (born 1989), artist, songwriter and dancer Bill Nass (born 1993), rapper Ali Kiba (born 1980), artist, singer-songwriter, dancer and actor Nahreel (born 1989), producer, artist in Navy Kenzo Duo group Harmonize (born 1991), musician Mimi Mars (born 1992), singer and actress Lava Lava (born 1993), singer Aslay (born 1995), singer Barnaba Classic, singer-songwriter Lucas Mkenda, singer Darassa, rapper Albert Mangwea, rapper Abby Chams, singer and social activist RJ The DJ, (born 1988), DJ, singer and actor Gigy Money, (born 1998), singer and socialite
Politicians Anna Abdallah (born 1940), Member of Parliament Maida Abdallah (born 1970), Member of Parliament Aziza Sleyum Ally, Member of Parliament Ameir Ali Ameir (born 1961), Member of Parliament Ame Pandu Ame (born 1963), Member of Parliament Bahati Ali Abeid (born 1967), Member of Parliament Thobias Andengenye (living), regional commissioner Mohamed Rished Abdallah (born 1952), Member of Parliament Mohammed Abdi Abdulaziz (born 1958), Member of Parliament Khadija Salum Ally Al-Qassmy (born 1958), Member of Parliament Juma Jamaldin Akukweti (1947–2007), Member of Parliament Ali Tarab Ali (born 1947), Member of Parliament Ali Haji Ali (born 1948), Member of Parliament Fatma Ali (born 1950), Member of Parliament Naimi Sweetie Hamza Aziz, ambassador Paul Bomani (1925–2005), ambassador Patrick Chokala, ambassador to Russia Remidus E. Kissassi, member of the African Union's Pan-African Parliament Jakaya Kikwete (born 1950), President of Tanzania from 2005 to 2015 Freeman Mbowe (born 14 September 1961), leader of CHADEMA Bibi Titi Mohammed (1926–1963), founding member of the Tanganyika African National Union Gertrude Mongella (born 1945), president of the Pan-African Parliament William F. Shija (1947–2014), member of the National Assembly of Tanzania from 1990 to 2005 Joseph Kakunda (born 1968), Minister of Trade, MP Bahati Ndingo (born 1985), Member of Parliament Tatu Mussa Ntimizi, Member of Parliament 1990–2010 Rashid Abdalla Rashid (born 1973), Member of Parliament Mateo Qares, former cabinet minister
Religion
Laurean Rugambwa (1912–1997), cardinal, archbishop of Dar es Salaam Polycarp Pengo (born 1944), cardinal, archbishop of Dar es Salaam
Royalty Mirambo (1840–1884), Nyamwezi royal Emily Ruete (Sayyida Salme) (1844–1924), Princess of Zanzibar Chief Mkwawa (1855–1898), Hehe chief Mangi Meli, Chagga royal who was executed by German colonialists in 1900 Ngalami, Chagga royal who was executed by Germans in 1900 Abdullah bin Khalifa of Zanzibar (1910–1963), tenth Sultan of Zanzibar Thomas Marealle (1915–2007), Paramount Chief of the Chagga people Rengua, Chagga royal of Machame Kimweri, King of the Shambaa Oswin Norbert John
Scientists
Myles Turner (1921–1984), warden of the Serengeti National Park Adelaida K. Semesi (1951–2001), marine scientist and mangrove ecologist Joyce Kinabo (born 1955), food scientist and researcher Felix Chami (born 1958), archaeologist known for his research on East African coastal archaeology and ancient Indian Ocean trade networks
Sportspeople Hasheem Thabeet (born 1986), basketball player Martin Kolikoli (born 1989), basketball player Feisal Salum (born 1998), footballer Mbwana Ally Samatta (born 1993), football player Erasto Nyoni (born 2000), football player
Writers Shaaban bin Robert (1909–1962), poet, author, essayist Mathias E. Mnyampala (1917–1969), lawyer, writer, and poet Julius Nyerere (1922–1999), politician, writer, philosopher Muhammed Said Abdulla (1918–1991), journalist and novelist Justinian Rweyemamu (1942–1982), economist, mathematician and writer Euphrase Kezilahabi (1944–2020), novelist and poet Amandina Lihamba (born 1944), playwright Leonard Shayo (born 1948), writer, mathematician, columnist Godfrey Mwakikagile (born 1949), writer, scholar and specialist in Africa Studies Richard Mabala (born 1949), writer of short stories, columnist and poet Julius Nyang'oro (born 1954), writer, political scientist and legal scholar Josiah Kibira (1960-2021), writer, director and businessman Christopher Mwashinga (born 1965), writer and poet Fadhy Mtanga (born 1981), writer, poet, photographer and blogger Joseph Marwa (born 1999), novelist, poet and actor Sandra A. Mushi, interior designer, published author, poet Nahida Esmail, writer of short stories and social activist Silas P.Zakayo (born 1984), writer, tutor, researcher and project planner.)
References