TANZANIA: In a world where the majority of employees are not working in their professional fields for various reasons, this is what happened to the former Director of
Presidential Communications, Zuhura Yunus, who has now been appointed as the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities).Zuhura Yunus, who became the first woman to broadcast on the BBC’s ‘Dira ya Dunia’ programme, never dreamt of being a presenter but a doctor since she specialized in animal and plant sciences.
The Tanzanian, born in London, England, United Kingdom, took science studies during her secondary education, opting for the PCB combination (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology). She then joined Mbale University in Uganda, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal and plant sciences.
After graduation, she joined other job seekers to find opportunities related to their professions. She later received a call from her brother, who informed her of a radio presenter opportunity at Times FM in Tanzania. She seized the opportunity without hesitation.
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At Times FM, she hosted Sunrise’s English morning show, the Independent Woman every Saturday, and Zee’s music show A Cruise. Aspiring to grow, she moved to Uhuru FM in 2003, and in August 2004, she joined Mwananchi Communications Limited as a journalist.
In 2008, Zuhura joined BBC Swahili as a presenter and producer, and in 2014 she moved to ‘Dira ya Dunia,’ becoming the first female for the programme.
Among her many achievements at the BBC, Zuhura has interviewed various high-profile leaders, including Tanzania’s former President Jakaya Kikwete and the current President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.
In 2019, she broke another record by being the first female broadcaster to present the ‘Focus on Africa’ program and the first broadcaster in the BBC organization to wear a hijab.
After 14 years of serving at the BBC, on January 14, 2022, she left to pursue other journalism activities elsewhere. However, in the same month, President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed her the Director of Presidential Communication, where she served for two years and five months.
After serving at the country’s highest office in the area of communication for that period, Zuhura’s name came up again on Thursday, June 6, 2024, when it was announced that the Head of State, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, appointed Zuhura as the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities).
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