Dar es Salaam. Finally, on January 5, 2024, a prominent member of the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo(CHADEMA), John Heche, publicly announced his decision to contest for the position of Vice Chairman for Mainland Tanzania in the party’s internal election scheduled for January 21, 2025.
Heche’s decision to submit his nomination form and publicly declare his support for the candidate for Chairman, Tundu Lissu, has further heightened the intensity of the election, with a likely increase in opposition for Ezekiel Wenje, who is also running for the position of Vice Chairman for Mainland Tanzania and supports Freeman Mbowe, who is contesting for the Chairmanship.
As of his announcement to run for the position, Heche has been a member of CHADEMA’s Central Committee since 2011, served as Chairman of the party’s Youth Council (BAVICHA), was a councilor for Tarime District Council, and also served as Member of Parliament for Tarime Rural from 2015 to 2020.
“I decided to submit my nomination after careful reflection and after many members spoke to me about running for the position of Vice Chairman,” Heche said when addressing journalists in Mwanza.
“I want to lead this party towards the goals it was founded for: to win elections, to remove CCM from power, and to use our country’s resources for the transformation of our people.”
“We want to take this party to power, mine our minerals, and have our youth become wealthy and live good lives. We want to provide our people with quality healthcare, and it is possible.”
On the other hand, Ezekiel Wenje has previously served as a Member of Parliament for the Nyamagana constituency from 2010 to 2015. Wenje is also a member of CHADEMA’s Central Committee. In 2020, he ran for Parliament in the Rorya constituency but became a political refugee due to fears for his safety amid the deteriorating security situation for opposition politicians following the elections.
According to research by The Chanzo, based on information from social media, the following individuals have entered the race for the position of Chairman: the party’s current Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu; the incumbent Chairman, Freeman Mbowe; and party members Odero Charles Odero and Romanus Mapunda.
However, the competition in this race is intensifying between Mbowe and Lissu, two strong contenders, and sources indicate that one of them will likely emerge victorious.
BAVICHA
This is the CHADEMA Youth Council, which for a long time has been at the forefront in advocating for the party’s various agendas, including the new Constitution, along with other issues affecting Tanzanian communities. The council has been under the leadership of its Chairman, John Pambalu, during its current term.
Deogratius Mahinyila is one of the young leaders who has emerged to seek Pambalu’s position. Mahinyila is a CHADEMA member who was a political prisoner during the 2020 elections after running for a councilorship in Dodoma.
In 2021, he was sworn in as a member of the bar association after his release from prison. Since then, Mahinyila has been part of CHADEMA’s Directorate of Legal Affairs. He has always been on the front line of party activities.
Others vying for the position of Chairman of BAVICHA include Masoud Mambo, a former leader of CHADEMA Students Organisation (CHASO) at the University of Dar es Salaam in 2019/20. Mambo has also been an activist for various political and social causes since graduating from the university.
Along with Shija Shibeshi, a CHADEMA member who has vowed to make the council a platform for inclusive work between party youth and non-party youth. Shija was also a candidate for the parliamentary seat in Misungwi in 2020. Prior to that, he served as the leader of CHASO during the 2018/19 period.
Those running for the position of Vice Chairman of BAVICHA include: Nice Sumari, the Secretary of BAVICHA in Kibamba, who has decided to enter the contest to remind young people of their political responsibilities and the need to fight for the liberation of the nation.
Others contesting this position include Necto Kitiga and Juma Mohammed Ng’itu, a CHADEMA member from the southern region who has promised to form a council that will inspire youth to fight for their country and their party.
For the position of BAVICHA Secretary General, Sheila Mchamba has entered the race and Benjamin Hilfe Ntele, while Revlin Mbugi is contesting for the position of Deputy Secretary-General.
BAWACHA
This is CHADEMA’s Women’s Council, which has also been at the forefront of advocating for issues affecting Tanzanian women and the broader community. The leadership of this council is currently under the Acting Chair, Sharifa Suleiman.
Sharifa has re-emerged and announced her intention to contest for the position of Chair of the Women’s Council for the next five years.
Susan Kiwanga, a CHADEMA member who has previously served as the Member of Parliament for Mlimba in Morogoro, has also announced her candidacy for the position of Chair of BAWACHA.
Also running for this position is Celestine Simba, a former Chair of CHADEMA’s People’s Parliament and a candidate for the Ulanga constituency seat in 2020.
For the position of Vice Chairman of BAWACHA, Moza Ally, the outgoing Vice Chair of BAVICHA, is contesting against Elizabeth Mwakimomo.
Catherine Ruge, who has held the position of Secretary General of BAWACHA until now, has decided to seek re-election. Pamela Massay, a former Member of Parliament for the East African Legislative Assembly (CHADEMA), and Ester Daffi, have also entered the race for this position. Meanwhile, Glory Tausi is contesting for Deputy Secretary-General.
BAZECHA
This is CHADEMA’s Elder’s Council, which has also been advocating for issues affecting older individuals and the broader Tanzanian community. The council has been under the leadership of Hashim Juma Issa during its current term.
Those vying for the Chairmanship include John David Mwambigija, also known as ‘Mzee wa Upako’, who was once a CHADEMA leader in Mbeya and a candidate for the Rungwe parliamentary seat in 2015.
Others in the race include Suzan Lyimo, the Speaker of CHADEMA’s People’s Parliament and a former long-serving Member of Parliament for special seats, and the member Hungo Kimaryo. Casmir Mabina, a former CHADEMA coordinator for the Coastal region, is contesting for the Secretary-General position.
Member of CHADEMA’s Central Committee
Central Committee Members according to the CHADEMA Constitution are elected by the party’s congress from both Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania (Tanganyika), with members chosen from sub-groups aimed at promoting inclusion, such as disabled persons, women, and a mixed group.
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Some who have submitted nomination forms include Naftal Daniel, a long-time CHADEMA member who has run for Parliament in Kwela in 2015 and 2020. Naftal has also served as the Administrative Officer of BAVICHA under Chairman John Heche and Secretary-General Deogratius Munisi.
John Pambalu, the outgoing Chairman of BAVICHA who served as a councilor for Butimba in Mwanza from 2015 to 2020, has decided to run at the national level after losing in the race for the Chairmanship of CHADEMA’s Victoria zone.
Twaha Mwaipaya, the outgoing BAVICHA Secretary for Propaganda, has also joined the race. Twaha is a well-known figure within CHADEMA and was a political prisoner in 2020 after being detained without trial for over three months.
Dorcas Fransis, a CHADEMA member and former Chair of BAVICHA Queens, has also joined the race.
Patrick Ole Sosopi, a CHADEMA member who has previously served as Acting Chairman of BAVICHA and contested for the Isimani parliamentary seat in 2015, is also contesting. Sosopi is currently a member of the CHADEMA Central Committee.
Others who have submitted nomination forms include Grace Kiwelu, Sina Said Manzi, Pasquina Ferdinand Lucas, William Mungai, Jenerali Kaduma, Frank Mwakajoka, Lawyer Michael Mwangasa, and Sina Said Manzi.
