Maria Sarungi Tsehai

Maria Sarungi Tsehai by profession, is a communication expert and a media personality. However, in reality, Ms. Sarungi- Tsehai is known for a wide varied action-packed career. Her evolution in her career has today made Maria a recognizable brand in Tanzania. She is one of the most vocal and active media personalities, and mentor to young women. She is director and owner of Compass Communications, which she founded with her husband David Tsehai, but she is also director/producer of award winning films and documentaries in addition to presenting and producing many well-known and highly viewed shows in Tanzania since 2000. Maria’s name recognition however extends beyond the TV screen onto social media as she is the co-founder of the citizens’ social media movement called Change Tanzania. She personally has a following of over 380,000 on Twitter while the hashtag #ChangeTanzania has now close to 200,000 members and followers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Change Tanzania movement has been able to do some impressive social media action including repealing section of the Financial Act 2013 which created a Sim Card Tax and ongoing petition and activism against the repressive Cyber Crime Law. It was through Change Tanzania, that Maria was also appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania to be a member of the Constituent Assembly in 2014.