Dar es Salaam. Ms Happyness Alphonce never imagined her job driving Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles for Mofat along the Mbagala route would put her behind the wheel for a very special passenger: President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
August 7, 2026, became a momentous day in her life after she was selected to drive the Head of State, creating a memory she will cherish forever.
Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, this week, Ms Alphonce said she was among five drivers selected to transport President Hassan from Waterfront station in central Dar es Salaam to Mtoni kwa Aziz Ally in Temeke District, where the President inaugurated Phase Two of the BRT project.
"It was a day of immense joy for me when I was appointed as one of the five drivers to transport President Samia," narrated Ms Alphonce.
She explained that it was no ordinary workday. Usually scheduled for the 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm shift, but her supervisor called her the evening before to report early the next morning.
Five drivers, three women and two men, were chosen for the presidential convoy.
At 7.00 am, they were instructed to take two buses to Mtoni kwa Aziz Ally for the launch, while the remaining three, including Ms Alphonce, went to Waterfront station to await the motorcade.
While waiting, State House officials asked their supervisor to select who would drive the President.
"The manager told them he trusted all of us, so it was best they chose themselves," she said.
By good fortune, officials picked her bus and affixed special presidential protocol numbers.
"I consider myself exceptionally lucky. It feels like my dream of becoming a top-tier driver is coming true," said Ms Alphonce, reflecting on the milestone.
Overwhelmed with emotion
When President Hassan arrived at Waterfront around 10.00 am and boarded her bus, Ms Alphonce was overcome with emotion.
"I was filled with joy and excitement to the point of tears. I wanted to hug her, but sitting at the wheel, I prayed for composure. It was a uniquely special moment," she said.
Though she had never met the President before, Ms Alphonce maintained complete focus, carefully matching the pace of the escort vehicles.
Upon reaching Mtoni kwa Aziz Ally, she waited on board throughout the official launch and public address, feeling as though she had temporarily stepped into the role of official presidential driver.
"After the ceremony, the President boarded again, and I drove to the main BRT terminal in Mbagala. I was fortunate enough to take a photograph with the President as she held my hand," she recalled.
She added that President Hassan commended her work ethic and urged her to maintain her high standards.
Outpouring of support
Following the event, Ms Alphonce’s phone rang incessantly with calls and text messages of congratulations from friends, relatives, and colleagues.
"So many people wrote to say how proud they were to see me driving the President," she said.
Chief among those she wanted to inform was her mother, a steadfast supporter of her career.
Because her mother does not own a smartphone, Ms Alphonce called her directly to share the news.
A dream born at the gate
Ms Alphonce's journey into professional driving began in 2015 while working as a guard for KK Security at the Wazo Hill cement factory in Dar es Salaam.
Watching women drive heavy haulage trucks carrying cargo across East and Central Africa, including Rwanda, the DRC, and Burundi, inspired her to pursue the profession.
"I asked myself why I couldn't do it too, and I began working towards that goal despite financial constraints," she noted.
Earning a monthly salary of Sh250,000, she managed her household, provided for her child, paid rent, and employed a domestic worker, all while meticulously saving for driving school tuition.
"Despite the modest income, I disciplined myself to save until I had enough for the fees," she explained.
Eyes on the future
Now a mother of one, Ms Alphonce aspires to join the State House fleet or serve as an official chauffeur for top government leaders.
She encourages other women to pursue non-traditional careers with determination and resilience, regardless of obstacles or lack of external support.
Born the fifth of eight children to Mr Aloyce, in a family of seven daughters and one son, Ms Alphonce attended Kiseke Primary School until 2008, then completed her secondary education at Pasiansi Secondary School in Mwanza in 2012.
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