Mwajuma: From sports star, food vendor to presidential hopeful

In Tanzania, anyone, rich or poor, can aspire to lead.

Old or young, woman or man, every citizen has an equal opportunity. No one is excluded by gender.

This is the essence of Tanzanian democracy, reflecting the inclusivity underpinning the Union.

Ms Mwajuma Noty Mirambo dreams of becoming Tanzania’s President.

Her candidacy demonstrates that in this country, all is possible.

The Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD) has nominated her, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has endorsed her bid.

Now, Ms Mirambo is campaigning to convince Tanzanians to hand her the keys to State House in the October 29, 2025, General Election.

Life stories are full of twists. What appears today may change tomorrow.

The sun sets, night falls, and dawn brings transformation.

This mirrors Mwajuma’s journey. She never imagined politics until she turned 43.

Since multiparty democracy began, she followed politics keenly, particularly supporting the opposition Civic United Front (CUF).

Drawn to politics yet rooted in sport, her lifelong passion, she eventually yielded to encouragement from those who saw her leadership potential.

Today, she is contesting the presidency.

Sports journey

Ms Mirambo’s sporting path began in primary school with netball, which secured her first job.

At the time, talent was valued and sport united government institutions, organisations, and the nation through competitions at district, regional, and national levels.

She rose steadily, her journey shaping her profile.

Early life

Born on July 7, 1967, at Ocean Road Hospital in Magogoni, Dar es Salaam, Ms Mirambo was the youngest of three children of Noty Sella Mirambo and Mwangaza Minshehe Kibinda.

She enrolled at Mzimuni Primary School in 1974, completing in 1980, before joining Kaole Secondary School in Bagamoyo from 1981 to 1984 for O-Levels.

Afterwards, she pursued short courses: secretarial studies at Baptist College, Magomeni Kota, and storekeeping at Msimbazi Centre, both in 1984.

Her netball prowess opened doors. In 1984, Tanzania Shoes employed her as a procurement clerk primarily to feature in its netball team.

She remained until 1987, before moving to Ubungo Textile Mills until 1990, when she opened a business.

That year, she launched a clothing shop in Magomeni, trading in khangas, vitenge, and cosmetics until 2008.

She later shifted direction.

Today, she runs a food vending enterprise in Tabata, Dar es Salaam, alongside a khanga and kitenge outlet at Karume Market, Ilala.

This marks 35 years of entrepreneurship since leaving factory work.

Sports profile

Netball and women’s football defined much of her life.

From school teams to factory clubs, she excelled, receiving numerous local invitations, known as ndondo, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

She credits Mwanaheri Ng’adu of the Civil Service Department, who recruited her into their team, travelling to various regions.

A trip to Tanga deepened her interest in women’s football, then championed by sides such as Coastal Union and African Sports.

She joined as a player, but marriage later curtailed her playing career.

By then, she had already represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Stores, and local Magomeni teams, including Tuwashukuru Wazazi, Young Sisters, and Muungano.

Later, she joined Sayari Women’s Football Club in Magomeni Kota, first as a player and then as team manager.

In 1994, she married Omar Farijala Hemed.

Though he discouraged her from playing football, he allowed her to remain in leadership roles.

Ms Mirambo advanced further, becoming a Kinondoni Football Association (KIFA) committee member under Secretary General Msafiri Mohammed.

Trained by Amref as a reproductive health and HIV/AIDS educator, she joined the “Zinduka Through Football” project, visiting schools to educate girls.

She later served in the Women’s Football Committee of the Dar es Salaam Regional Football Association (DRFA), the Yanga Women’s Football Committee, and in 2019 was appointed manager of Yanga Princess by then Yanga chairperson Mshindo Msolla.

She also previously led Mburahati Queens. Today, she is Secretary of the Association of Retired Women Footballers.

With this background, Ms Mirambo says she understands Tanzania’s sporting challenges and pledges swift progress if elected.

Politics and Mwajuma

Her political path began in 2010 during a sports trip to Morogoro. UMD was searching for a candidate for Mzimuni Ward, Magomeni.

Encouraged by her friend Ms Asma Hemed Mshamu, she contested the councillor seat but lost. Yet her potential was evident.

Later that year, she was appointed UMD Women’s Coordinator for Dar es Salaam.

From 2011 to 2014, she held the same role at mainland level.

In 2015, she became National Women’s Coordinator, succeeding Ms Mary Osward Mpangala, and is now serving her third term.

UMD has placed its 2025 hopes on her. She previously contested Kinondoni constituency in 2015, Ubungo in 2020, and the Kinondoni by-election in 2018, all unsuccessfully, but always flying the UMD flag.

Mwajuma’s priorities

Her foremost pledge is ensuring Tanzanians have access to quality healthcare, which she believes is the foundation of development.

She also vows to improve education, modernise agriculture, and ensure clean farming environments.

She promises jobs for all Tanzanians in their fields, whether farming, mining, or trade.

Her employment slogan is: “Tanzanian first, foreigner later.” She declares, “As President, no Tanzanian will regret being born here.

UMD will build a nation of dignity and joy.”

Ms Mirambo is also a wife and mother. With her husband Omar Farijala Hemed, she has one daughter, Hanifa Sembe Mohamed. She now appeals to Tanzanians to support her, listen to her policies, and trust her to serve the nation with dedication.