Hip Hop star now MP in Tanzania

Tanzanian rapper Professor Jay. Joseph Haule, popularly known as Professor Jay, has won a parliamentary seat in the Tanzanian elections. FILE PHOTO 

In Summary

• The star clinched the Mikumi Constituency seat on an Opposition Chadema (Chama Cha Demokrasia Na Maendeleo) ticket.
• Professor Jay was encouraged to join politics by his close allay and an outstanding rapper Jospeh Mbilinyi, better known as Mr Sugu, who captured the Mbeya town parliamentary seat on a Chadema ticket in 2010.

By THOMAS MATIKO
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Tanzanian Hip Hop singer Joseph Haule popularly known as Professor Jay has won a parliamentary seat in the Tanzanian elections.

The star clinched the Mikumi Constituency seat on an Opposition Chadema (Chama Cha Demokrasia Na Maendeleo) ticket.

He was declared the winner on Tuesday after garnering 32,259 votes in a closely contested race against the ruling party candidate CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s) Jonas Nkya who got 30,425.

The 40-year-old, who has been on the music scene for the last two decades, was vocal against the government through his songs.

Through his Facebook account, he thanked the people of Mikumi for electing him as their new Member of Parliament.

“Joseph Haule (Chadema) votes 32,259, Jonas Nkya (CCM) votes 30,425. We have won with a margin of 1,834 votes. Thank you God and the people of Mikumi for bestowing trust and faith in me,” read the post.

The "Kipi Sijaskia" (What have I not heard?) hit maker who has five albums under his belt has promised changes in leadership and development.

This year’s elections attracted a number of high profile artistes.

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It included veteran comedian Rashid Misheshe Mzage popularly known as Kingwendu, who vied for the Kisarawe Constituency but came a distant second after getting 8,863 votes against those of the winner, Jafo Selemani Saidi, who garnered 28,054 votes.

Professor Jay was encouraged to join politics by his close allay and an outstanding rapper Jospeh Mbilinyi, better known as Mr Sugu, who captured the Mbeya town parliamentary seat on a Chadema ticket in 2010.

During this year’s polls, Mr Sugu retained his seat for a second five-year term.

The rapper beat his main rival — another celebrity and Bongo movie actor Jimmy Mafufu — to second place.

Another Tanzania celebrity who floored his opponents is TMK Wanaume and Yamoto band manager Said Fella. He is now the new councillor for Kilungule Ward in Dar es Salaam.

Actress and model Wema Isaac Sepetu lost the CCM nominations for Singida Constituency.

Other entertainers who threw their hats in the ring were hip hop artistes ‘Afande Sele’ (Selemani Msindi) and Kalama Masudi (Kalapina).

They contested for Morogoro Town and Segerea parliamentary seats, but lost.