How Tanzania’s Mamy Baby is empowering girls and women through media and advocacy
Mamy Baby is one of Tanzania's influential female broadcasters, with over 10 years of experience in radio, using her platform to advocate for girls' issues. In an exclusive interview, she shared insights on her professional journey, the challenges she faced, and her commitment to empowering women and girls through her work and her organization, Dada Hood.
The Beginning of Her Media Journey
Mamy Baby began her broadcasting career at Mambo Jambo FM in Arusha in 2009, before moving on to well-known stations like East Africa Radio and Clouds FM. Asked about her early experiences and challenges, she shared:
"Starting work right after college was such a joy for me. I had the passion to do a job I loved and enjoyed, and the experience was immense in shaping me, building my courage. My confidence grew daily, especially working in Arusha—‘Hip Hop City.’ I hosted an entertainment show, so you couldn’t survive if you were too soft," (she laughs).
A major challenge back then was financial. She explained:
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"The challenge was financial. You know, regional radio stations often don’t bring in enough advertising revenue, and there are still station running costs. Sometimes, you didn't even know how you’d get to work, but the show had to go on air.”
Joining Clouds FM and Success on XXL
In 2016, Mamy Baby joined Clouds FM, taking a position on the popular entertainment show, XXL. She described how important this opportunity was for her and credited mentors like B Dozen and Adam Mchomvu with her career success:
"Joining Clouds was a crucial and significant step in my career. One of my biggest dreams was to work at Clouds on their leading entertainment show, XXL. What attracted me was becoming part of the top team on Tanzania's number 1 entertainment show and seeing my talent reach a larger audience. Being alongside icons like Dozen and Adam Mchomvu, their support and welcome when I joined the team were powerful.”
Her Role in Promoting Tanzanian Music
Mamy Baby has made significant contributions to Tanzanian music through entertainment shows like XXL and the Clouds FM Top 20. She explained how Tanzanian music has evolved since she began featuring it on her platform and the role radio plays in its growth:
“Through shows like XXL and Clouds FM Top 20, Tanzanian music has evolved significantly, reaching music trends across Africa and worldwide. However, we still don’t have a distinct identity for Tanzanian music, and while there are many great songs, not all are long-lasting classics. Nowadays, music’s reach isn’t dependent on radio alone as it used to be. Social media has made it easier to push songs to go viral.”
Starting the Dada Hood Initiative
Beyond broadcasting, Mamy Baby founded the Dada Hood Initiative, an organization that focuses on inspiring and guiding young girls. She outlined the primary goal of this initiative, saying:
“Dada Hood is an organization made up of artists and celebrities whose main goal is to use their talents and social status to help create a community where girls and women understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities, as well as their potential. Our contribution through Dada Hood is to ensure that a new generation of women grows with personal development, community impact, and national progress in mind.”
Balancing Marriage and Career
In 2022, Mamy Baby married Dr. Hassan Abbas, a prominent government leader. Despite this, she has managed to balance her married life with her broadcasting career. She said:
"It has never been an issue. Dr. Hassan Abbas is also a media and entertainment person, so it’s just about balancing time, and I’ve cut back on some responsibilities but not stopped working.”
Future Aspirations
Mamy Baby dreams of continuing to be a voice for girls and women in Tanzania. She shared her vision for the future, saying:
“My goals in the future are to continue being the ‘Voice’ for girls and women, helping them become better starting from family, community, and national levels.”
The Orange Concert: An Annual Event Empowering Women
To achieve her mission of supporting women and girls, Mamy Baby launched The Orange Concert, an annual event held in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. This concert aims to empower girls and women to showcase their talents and fight gender-based violence. She said:
“The Orange Concert is an annual charitable music event held on International Women’s Day, March 8. The event aims to empower girls and women in talent and advocacy against gender-based violence in our community. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the contribution of girls in social development and end gender violence through the arts.”
Mamy Baby continues to exemplify a woman of vision and strength, inspiring countless girls and women in Tanzania. Through her media influence and social initiatives, she leaves a lasting impact, encouraging women to recognize their worth, take bold steps, and advance in various spheres of life.
The Beginning of Her Media Journey
Mamy Baby began her broadcasting career at Mambo Jambo FM in Arusha in 2009, before moving on to well-known stations like East Africa Radio and Clouds FM. Asked about her early experiences and challenges, she shared:
"Starting work right after college was such a joy for me. I had the passion to do a job I loved and enjoyed, and the experience was immense in shaping me, building my courage. My confidence grew daily, especially working in Arusha—‘Hip Hop City.’ I hosted an entertainment show, so you couldn’t survive if you were too soft," (she laughs).
A major challenge back then was financial. She explained:
"The challenge was financial. You know, regional radio stations often don’t bring in enough advertising revenue, and there are still station running costs. Sometimes, you didn't even know how you’d get to work, but the show had to go on air.”
Joining Clouds FM and Success on XXL
In 2016, Mamy Baby joined Clouds FM, taking a position on the popular entertainment show, XXL. She described how important this opportunity was for her and credited mentors like B Dozen and Adam Mchomvu with her career success:
"Joining Clouds was a crucial and significant step in my career. One of my biggest dreams was to work at Clouds on their leading entertainment show, XXL. What attracted me was becoming part of the top team on Tanzania's number 1 entertainment show and seeing my talent reach a larger audience. Being alongside icons like Dozen and Adam Mchomvu, their support and welcome when I joined the team were powerful.”
Her Role in Promoting Tanzanian Music
Mamy Baby has made significant contributions to Tanzanian music through entertainment shows like XXL and the Clouds FM Top 20. She explained how Tanzanian music has evolved since she began featuring it on her platform and the role radio plays in its growth:
“Through shows like XXL and Clouds FM Top 20, Tanzanian music has evolved significantly, reaching music trends across Africa and worldwide. However, we still don’t have a distinct identity for Tanzanian music, and while there are many great songs, not all are long-lasting classics. Nowadays, music’s reach isn’t dependent on radio alone as it used to be. Social media has made it easier to push songs to go viral.”
Starting the Dada Hood Initiative
Beyond broadcasting, Mamy Baby founded the Dada Hood Initiative, an organization that focuses on inspiring and guiding young girls. She outlined the primary goal of this initiative, saying:
“Dada Hood is an organization made up of artists and celebrities whose main goal is to use their talents and social status to help create a community where girls and women understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities, as well as their potential. Our contribution through Dada Hood is to ensure that a new generation of women grows with personal development, community impact, and national progress in mind.”
Balancing Marriage and Career
In 2022, Mamy Baby married Dr. Hassan Abbas, a prominent government leader. Despite this, she has managed to balance her married life with her broadcasting career. She said:
"It has never been an issue. Dr. Hassan Abbas is also a media and entertainment person, so it’s just about balancing time, and I’ve cut back on some responsibilities but not stopped working.”
Future Aspirations
Mamy Baby dreams of continuing to be a voice for girls and women in Tanzania. She shared her vision for the future, saying:
“My goals in the future are to continue being the ‘Voice’ for girls and women, helping them become better starting from family, community, and national levels.”
The Orange Concert: An Annual Event Empowering Women
To achieve her mission of supporting women and girls, Mamy Baby launched The Orange Concert, an annual event held in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. This concert aims to empower girls and women to showcase their talents and fight gender-based violence. She said:
“The Orange Concert is an annual charitable music event held on International Women’s Day, March 8. The event aims to empower girls and women in talent and advocacy against gender-based violence in our community. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the contribution of girls in social development and end gender violence through the arts.”
Mamy Baby continues to exemplify a woman of vision and strength, inspiring countless girls and women in Tanzania. Through her media influence and social initiatives, she leaves a lasting impact, encouraging women to recognize their worth, take bold steps, and advance in various spheres of life.
