Tanzania: Mwana FA, Babu Tale win parliamentary seats

Babu Tale, born Shaban Tale, won the Morogoro South East constituency seat unopposed while provisional results from the National Electoral Commission indicated that Mwana FA, born Hamis Mwinjuma, garnered 47 578 votes to beat the opposition Chadema party candidate, Yosepher Komba, for the Muheza constituency seat. The win follows his appointment as a board member of the country’s National Arts Council (BASATA) in 2018.

Among the first to congratulate Mwana FA was fellow artist AY who tweeted: “It’s honourable Hamisi Mwinjuma. Congratulations, finally, your long-time dream to serve the people of Muheza has been achieved. All the best, my ‘son’, I believe in your will and plans for development, God is good, now let the work commence.”

Meanwhile, Tanzanian rapper-turned-politician Joseph Haule, popularly known as Professor Jay, who was vying with the opposition ticket, failed to defend his Mikumi parliamentary seat and lost to Dennis Lazaro of the CCM. Fellow rapper Joseph Mbilinyi, known as Mr Sugu, also lost the Mbeya Urban seat, which he clinched in 2010 and 2015.

Other Tanzanian musicians who vied for various political positions include musician, educator and activist Vitali Maembe, reggae artist Jhikoman, music producer Joachim Marunda, popularly known as Master Jay, and rapper Wakazi. 

Musicians joining politics is a growing trend in East Africa, especially in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In Uganda, several musicians have already declared their interest to run in the 2021 general election. They include Bobi Wine, Jose Chameleone and Sophie Gombya, among others.