When Dastan first arrived at The School of St Jude, no one could have predicted that a shy ten-year-old would one day captivate an entire school. But in 2014, while in Standard 3, his class teacher, Mr Samson, asked him to deliver a speech titled “Am I Speaking?” at a school assembly. Dastan spoke passionately about how young Africans could draw inspiration from the patriotism of Tanzania’s founding leaders like Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah to drive economic progress in their communities.
He concluded with a line that resonated his beliefs. “We are children of Africa, let us fight poverty through education, century to century, generation to generation.”
He delivered the speech with such confidence that his classmates immediately gave him a nickname “Mr President.” While it was playful, it also captured something real. St Jude’s had unlocked a voice that was impossible to ignore.
Over the years, St Jude’s continued to give him countless opportunities to nurture this talent. Whether he was speaking at assemblies, joining debates or representing St Jude’s in competitions, Dastan steadily grew into a thoughtful and bold communicator. Those experiences taught him discipline, courage and the belief that his voice could make a difference; lessons he still carries today.
By the time he finished Form 4, he felt a strong pull toward journalism and storytelling, fields that allowed him to influence conversations around Tanzania’s growth. He went on to study media at Habari Maalum College, where, in his very first year, he was elected Vice President of the student government. One year later, he won the presidential election by a landslide 75% of the vote, officially becoming the 25th Student President.
Today, Dastan continues to use media as a platform for activism through his latest projects MAPEMWA (Mawazo Pevu Mwangani) Journal and Kipaza cha Siasa, a political documentary series. His work has aired on several Tanzanian radio stations, as he explores African politics, human rights, and governance while promoting civic awareness.
When asked how he found the confidence to pursue leadership so boldly, he points back to St Jude’s. “St Jude’s didn’t just educate me. It shaped my character, values, and purpose,” he says.
From a young boy standing nervously on a school stage to a university president and rising media voice, Dastan’s journey reflects what’s possible when a child is given opportunity, encouragement and the belief that their future can be extraordinary.
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