John Wagesa Heche, Vice Chair, Chadema Party

John Wagesa Heche is the current vice-chairman of the Chadema party. He was elected in January 2025 after defeating his closest rival, Ezekia Wenje. He took over from Tundu Lissu, who became the Chadema chairman after defeating Freeman Mbowe during the party’s election on 22nd January 2025.

Heche was born on July 14, 1981, in Tarime, Mara region, Tanzania. He attended Bulima Primary School before joining Musoma Alliance for his secondary school education. After high school in 1997, he joined Bunda Teachers’ Training College and graduated with a Diploma in teaching in 2004. He later joined St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SUAT) and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education (Arts) in 2009.

In 2010, Heche was elected as a councillor for the Tarime District Council. He served as a member of Parliament (MP) for Tarime Rural Constituency between 2015 and 2020. The politician also served at various levels of the party’s hierarchy. He was once the leader of the Chadema youth council (Bavicha), Serengeti Regional Chairman, and a member of the party’s national executive committee.

After taking over as Chadema vice-chair, Heche said his main goal and that of the party is to implement strategies to defeat the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in the general election this year.