Charles Hillary Nkwanga, Zanzibar State House Communications Director, Dies at 66

Charles Hillary Nkwanga, Director of Communications at the Zanzibar State House, passed away on Sunday, May 11, at the age of 66. His death occurred as he was being rushed to Muhimbili National Hospital after a sudden illness, according to the Zambia Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

Nkwanga was appointed in 2023 by President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi to serve as the Government Chief Spokesperson. Previously, he held the position of Director of Presidential Communications from 2021, where he played a crucial role in overseeing the government’s official communications.

Before joining public service in Zanzibar, he had an extensive career in journalism, earning national and international recognition. He worked with prominent media organisations including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Deutsche Welle (DW) and Azam Media. He was widely respected for his professionalism, mentorship, and commitment to journalistic standards.

Born in 1959 in Jang’ombe Ward, Zanzibar, Nkwanga moved to Dar es Salaam with his family in 1962 and lived there for most of his life. He attended Ilala Mchikichini Primary School and began his career in broadcasting in 1981 at Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam (RTD), where he served for 13 years.

In 1994, he was part of a group of broadcasters recruited by businessman Reginald Mengi to launch Dar es Salaam’s first television station, under IPP Media. After leaving, he joined DW Radio in Germany in 2003. Three years later, in 2006, he transitioned to the BBC Swahili service in London.

He returned to Tanzania in 2015 and took up the role of Head of Uhai Radio at Azam Media. He remained there until 2023, when he was appointed to lead the Communications Directorate at the Zanzibar State House.

Throughout his career, Nkwanga was a strong advocate for media freedom, journalism education, and reform. He leaves behind a legacy of significant contributions to the development of modern media in Tanzania.