In a powerful display of talent, impact, and storytelling excellence, the Samia Kalamu Awards 2025 shone a spotlight on the best of Tanzanian journalism.
With over 1,100 entries from across the country, the awards celebrated bold, data-driven, and socially relevant reporting and two names stood out among the winners: Silvano Kayera and Issakwisa Njole Mbyale.
What sets them apart? More than just skill, their success is rooted in something deeper the transformative training they received from Nukta Africa, a leading and most innovative digital media company in Sub-Saharan Africa that transforms lives through data and digital content.
This year, the awards organized by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) recognized 38 outstanding stories out of 1,131 entries.
According to TAMWA Chairperson Joyce Shebe, 85 stories reached the finals, but only the very best made it to the winner’s circle. Among them, the stories by Silvano and Issakwisa not only captured judges’ attention but also demonstrated how data journalism is redefining impactful media in Tanzania.
Data and visuals that make stories stick
Silvano Kayera, a journalist from Mlimani TV, won the award for Best Education Reporting. His story focused on the HEET (Higher Education for Economic Transformation) project and how it serves as a foundation for Tanzania’s future economic growth. Using data, visual storytelling, and structured analysis, Silvano highlighted how educational reforms are driving change across universities and impacting young people nationwide.
“The success of this award is largely due to the support I received from Nukta Africa,” Silvano shared. “Their training taught me how to use statistics, arrange visuals that convey meaning, and construct a data-driven story that is convincing and impactful.”
Beyond technical skills, Nukta Africa also helped Silvano learn how to develop strong story ideas, find angles that resonate with readers, and bring numbers to life with narratives that matter.
From human sources to data-driven journalism
On the agriculture front, Issakwisa Njole Mbyale of Highland FM emerged as the winner in the Best Agriculture Reporting category. His award-winning piece, “Namna Vijana Wanavyoweza Kujiajiri Kupitia Kilimo,” examined how young people are using agriculture as a tool for self-employment in rural Tanzania.
“The training from Nukta Africa contributed greatly to my winning this award,” Issakwisa said. “They taught me how to write impactful stories using data. Before, I relied mostly on human sources. After the training, I learned how to analyze data and use it to strengthen my stories.”
Issakwisa added that the skills he gained extended far beyond award-winning journalism.
“Apart from winning awards, I’ve gained more skills in storytelling — and that’s a crucial part of capturing audience attention,” he noted.
His story combined real-life experiences, statistical evidence, and expert insights to present agriculture not just as a livelihood, but as a viable business model for Tanzanian youth.
A call for continuous learning
Both Silvano and Issakwisa agree: journalism today demands constant learning.
“My advice to other journalists is to keep upgrading their skills,” Issakwisa advised. “There are many changes in media reporting — from the rise of digital tools to evolving audience preferences. We must adapt.”
The Samia Kalamu Awards 2025 are not just a celebration of great reporting — they’re a reflection of how Tanzania’s media is evolving. In a world where facts matter and attention spans are short, journalists like Silvano Kayera and Issakwisa Njole Mbyale show that combining data, creativity, and skill is the future of journalism.
Thanks to capacity-building platforms like Nukta Africa, a new generation of Tanzanian journalists is rising — equipped, informed, and ready to tell the stories that shape tomorrow.