ELIAS IBRAHIM MHEGERA'S DATA BANK (2008)

BRIEF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Mr. Elias Ibrahim Mhegera was born on June 10th, 1963 in the goldrich township of Geita, which is one among the six districts of Mwanza region. The author grew up in a fervent Christian family of the late Ibrahim Izidory, and Flavia Dominico, later Mrs Flavia Izidory. Being the fourth born of the ten children, the author was very much inspired by the ideals of strong African personalities, particularly ideas of Kwame Nkrumah who eventually became his unelligible mentor throughout his life.

The author was registered in Geita Mission Primary School in 1972, he spent two years in that school before being transferred to Nzera Bugando Primary school, and Kishinda Primary School subsequently following his father's transfers as a normal routine to Tanzanian civil servants. In 1979 he joined St. Mary's Seminary Nyegezi, Mwanza. He completed 'O' level studies in 1982, he was recalled for 'A' level studies where he spent two years, from 1983 to 85 when he completed form six.

As a compulsory measure he joined national service at Bulombora camp in kigoma region, and Maramba camp in Tanga region subsequently. He joined the University of Dar es Salaam in 1987 and he was supposed to graduate in 1990, but the university was closed for one academic year follwing political ferments of that era. He graduated with a BA(ED), Hons-in Political Science, History and Education in 1991.

Mr. Mhegera taught politics (Development Studies), for one year at the then Dar es Salaam Technical College, Now Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). He later on in the same year, 1992, joined the Immigration Department where he worked for seven years. Meanwhile he also pursued a one year PostGraduate Diploma (PGD), in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Centre for Foreign Relations in Kurasini Dar es Salaam.

As from 1999, he rejoined the teaching career starting with Tabora Boys Secondary School where he taught History and General Studies to A level students, he was later transferred to Mwenge Secondary School in Singida region, and later to Bukoba Secondary School in Kagera region. He left government service to join his former school Nyegezi Seminary where he taught for four years consecutively. Meanwhile he managed to pursue a three months short course in Broadcasting and News Reporting at St. Augustine University of Tanzania in Nyegezi, Mwanza.

He later on pursued a Masters in Mass Communications at the same university. At the time of preparing this blog the author was employed on full time basis with The Business Times Ltd. where he was writing for two newspapers Business Times an English broad sheet newspaper and Majira a Swahili tabloid newspaper. He was as well working with Radio Times FM within the same Company.

Mr. Mhegera has attended various courses and workshops in journalism, sub-editing, corruption, photography and environmental issues. He is mainly interested in investigative journalism, politics, and environmental issues. Mr Mhegera is a human rights activist and a champion for democracy. He is married to the former Miss Martina Adrian Mpande and they have been blessed with two children Ibrahim who was born in 2000, and Claudia who was born in 2004. Prior to his marriage the author had one child (a son) Revelian who was born in 1990.

Contacts: mhegeraelias@yahoo.com Telephone 0754 826272.