Salim Kikeke: From a casual miner to BBC

Who is Salim Kikeke?

I am a single father of one. I was born and brought up in Tanzania but I am now based in London. I have a 13-year-old daughter. For the last ten years, I have been working with the BBC World Service and I love my job. I think I will be doing the same thing in the next ten years. Currently, I am a producer and presenter of Dira ya Dunia, a news magazine that is aired in Kiswahili across East Africa and Central Africa.

How has your career journey been?

It has been bumpy. To begin with, I loved journalism, but my father influenced me to pursue a career in agriculture. However, my dream of becoming a journalist remained. I remember I would write stories about anything and would read them loudly, pretending I was in a studio.

I was jobless for three years after graduating with my Diploma in Irrigation Engineering. This pushed me to settle for menial jobs. In 1995, I found myself working at a mine in Tanzania, one of the hardest and roughest times of my life. Being a miner is not easy. You can imagine digging a dusty terrain for hours on end and not finding the elusive precious stone. It meant not getting paid that day. I couldn’t bare the suffering anymore. I quit and moved back to Dar-es-Salaam.

What happened after that?

For a whole year, I would dress in my best clothes and walk to the city to hunt for job. I was not successful and finally decided to switch and pursue journalism. So in 1997, I joined Tanzania School of Journalism with my parents’ support. I was determined to achieve my childhood dream — to be a journalist at BBC. I wrote stories on anything that was happening in and around school, and posted my articles on the noticeboard.

Besides BBC, where else have you worked?

My first job was at Radio Tanzania as a scriptwriter. For a whole year, I was not allowed to touch a microphone. I literally saw the studio through the windows. However, Radio Tanzania nurtured and moulded me to who I am today.

When did you get your first show?

At the end of 1998, I managed to get my own show and doubled up as a producer and a presenter of the musical show. I remember my boss insisting that I do a script for the programme. To date, I never do anything without giving it a thought, because the audience is the king in this business and you must satisfy them.

After Radio Tanzania, I joined Channel 10 where I presented both in English and Kiswahili until 2001, then I moved to ITV, a Tanzanian TV station where I was an English presenter.

When was your big break?

It was in 2003 when I joined BBC Swahili as a producer and presenter based in London. I produced and presented Amka na BBC for three years. This was enriching. I loved and I still love my job. Working with BBC has been an exciting voyage and I have learnt a lot from experienced gurus like Gray Phombeah and Ali Saleh. They have mentored me.

Who are some of your famous interviewees?

I have interviewed presidents, prime ministers, pop stars, sports stars, artistes, writers and even rebel leaders.

What else do you do?

I love sports, especially football. Manchester United is my team. At BBC, I am a football commentator and summariser for the BBC Swahili weekend radio programme Ulimwengu wa Soka.

What are some of the key highlights in your career?

Everyday when I am on set is a key milestone. I try to be better than the day before. This has been my maxim in life. However, covering the 2008 USA elections and witnessing the first black president, Barack Obama — and for that matter an East African — winning an election, was inspiring.  I also covered the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and I saw Africa rising. This was the first time such an event was held in Africa. I also covered the Westgate attack in September 2013 and it was very sad. I was also assigned to cover the elaborate funeral and burial ceremonies of my greatest role model — former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

What about your low moments?

The death of my mother in 2010 was a big blow. I lost my mum while covering the 2010 FIFA world Cup in South Africa.  Mum was my confidante, my number one fan and ‘my everything’. She believed in me. She always told me from a tender age that I was destined to be at BBC and here I am. 

Family life...

I am not married yet but I have a 13 year-old daughter whom I adore. I love to hang out with her whenever I am free.

Your last words…

Journalists are not celebrities. They have a noble duty to communicate important messages to the public.