DAR ES SALAAM: VETERAN journalists and media stakeholders have expressed optimism following the appointment of their peer to the State House as Director for Presidential Communication, describing him as a reliable link between the office, the media and the public.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed former Managing Director of Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL), Mr Bakari Machumu, to the position, succeeding Sharifa Nyanga, who has been reassigned to a new role.
President Samia also appointed veteran journalist, Mr Tido Mhando as the President’s Adviser on Information and Communication.
Notably, both Mr Mhando and Mr Machumu previously worked at MCL at different times, each serving as Managing Director. Mr Mhando held the position from 2011 to 2013. In addition, both currently serve on a nine-member committee tasked with assessing the economic state of the country’s media industry, a committee chaired by Mhando himself.
Speaking to the Daily News via telephone yesterday, veteran journalists shared their experiences working with Mr Machumu and Mr Mhando, expressing confidence in their ability to excel in their new roles.
The Tanzania Editors’ Forum (TEF) Chairperson, Mr Deodatus Balile, described Mr Machumu as a hardworking and dedicated professional, with extensive knowledge, experience and high competence in the media industry, qualities he demonstrated during his tenure as TEF Vice-Chairperson.
“TEF is confident that Mr Machumu’s appointment will strengthen the link between State House and the media sector. We extend our congratulations to him and wish him every success in his new responsibilities,” said Mr Balile.
Mr Balile also congratulated Mr Mhando on his appointment as the President’s Adviser on Information and Communication, describing him as a seasoned journalist with extensive expertise. He added that Mr Mhando’s skills and experience are particularly vital in today’s world, where communication faces major global challenges.
Clouds Media Group Chief Editor, Joyce Shebe, who worked closely with Mr Machumu, described him as a flexible and hardworking individual capable of handling responsibilities effectively. She praised his adaptability, composure and resilience, citing his leadership in helping MCL swiftly transition to digital platforms.
“President Samia has made the right choice by appointing Machumu. He is one of us in the media industry and will help strengthen relations between State House, the media and the public,” Ms Shebe said.
Former Daily News Sub-Editor Deogratius Mushi echoed these sentiments, calling Mr Machumu’s appointment appropriate. He described him as meticulous and hardworking and emphasised the importance of engaging all media platforms, including digital outlets, to support the president in upholding unity, peace and stability.
Commenting on the appointment, political analyst Maggid Mjengwa said that Mr Mhando joins State House with extensive experience gained both locally and internationally.
He noted that Mr Mhando, who currently serves as Chairperson of the Journalist Accreditation Board (JAB), is a highly competent media professional with strong relationships across both local and international media houses, an asset that, he said, will support State House in executing strategic government communication and help the nation advance from one stage to the next.
Mr Machumu is a seasoned journalist who served as TEF Vice-Chairperson before his appointment. He joined MCL in 2004 as Business Editor for The Citizen, later becoming Managing Editor. In 2012, he was promoted to Managing Director of MCL, overseeing all publications, including Mwananchi, The Citizen, Mwanaspoti and their digital platforms.
Before MCL, he worked at Business Times Ltd for six years as a business reporter, features editor and news editor.
Academically, Mr Machumu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Sokoine University of Agriculture (1998), an MBA from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) and a Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation from Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr Machumu succeeds Sharifa Nyanga, who had acted in the position following the transfer of Zuhura Yunus to the Prime Minister’s Office, Labour, Youth and People with Disabilities as Permanent Secretary. Previous holders of the position include Gerson Msigwa under President John Magufuli, Salvatory Rweyemamu during President Jakaya Kikwete’s tenure and Geofrey Nkulu and Ambassador John Kalaghe under President Benjamin Mkapa. In earlier administrations, Paul Sozigwa, Habib Halahala and Patrick Chokala served as Presidential Press Secretaries under Presidents Julius Nyerere and Ali Hassan Mwinyi, respectively.