Activist Mange Kimambi warns against letting Tanzanian artists return to the spotlight
By Paulette Mboga, November 25, 2025Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi has issued a strong warning to citizens about the role of artists in the country, urging them not to allow performers back into the public spotlight.
She argued that artists are seeking attention to profit from citizens while ignoring the nation’s suffering. Kimambi on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, said, “Watanzania nawaita mara 3, msikubali kuwarudisha wasanii mjini. Sasa hivi wanatapatapa kwa kila njia ili warudi kwenye attention za wananchi ili waanze kupiga show tena ili waweze kupata pesa zenu, msiwaruhusu.” She further added, “Mkiwarudisha wasanii kwenye trending ya aina yoyote ile ni kwamba vita ya ukombozi tumeshindwa.”
According to Kimambi, artists have long been used by governments to manipulate citizens, and returning them to trending platforms would only continue this trend. She said that some performers have supported actions that harm Tanzanians, including what he described as abuses and killings, and should not be given a platform again.
She said, “Kama tutapata ukombozi kwenye nchi ni lazma hawa waliopambana kuipa uhalali serikali hii, hawa so-called vioo vya jamii waliosapoti utekaji wa wananchi, mauwaji ya wananchi ili wao yao yaende wasipewe nafasi tena.” She stressed that citizens must not support these artists’ work or promote them, warning that doing so would validate the government’s actions and undermine the liberation movement.
Artists and entertainment in a suffering nation
Kimambi also criticised artists for focusing on entertainment while the country suffers. She highlighted recent releases by Nandy and Zuchu, questioning the priorities of performers during times of national hardship.
“Nimeona juzi Nandy anafanya kibao kata, kweli nchi inavuja damu ila wasanii hawana time ndo kwanza wanafanya vibao kata? Yani Nandy na Zuchu wameonyesha watanzania kuwa maumivu yetu wao hawayahusu, wao wanachojali ni kupata pesa zenu wananchi basi,” she said.
She pointed out that performances previously sponsored by the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi, CCM, have ended, and now artists are seeking income from citizens instead, potentially betraying the public again by 2030.
Kimambi urged citizens to distance themselves from entertainers who ignore the nation’s pain. She called for campaigns to unfollow pages that promote artists and entertainment, emphasising that Tanzanians must focus on justice and not return to “business as usual.”