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05 Sep Abdu Simba

Posted at 22:29h in by

Abdu holds a BA (Honours) degree in History and Politics from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. As a professional, he has developed significant business experience as a director of a number of firms engaged in consumer goods manufacturing, insurance brokerage, advisory services and entertainment.

He is the former Head of the Tanzania Media Fund, a donor funded organisation supporting journalists and media institutions in the fields of public interest and investigative journalism.

He is also a founding trustee of The Flame Tree Media Trust, a non profit organisation created to support and promote creativity in the Tanzanian visual arts and media industries.

Abdu is currently a founding partner of Serengeti Advisers Limited, a Tanzanian Business Advisory Services firm, where he specialises in Media Analysis and Communication Strategies advice. He is also the Managing Director of Abdu Simba Productions, a small company focused on writing and producing independent media products for the local film, television and advertising industry.

  • 2003 – Co-author of Tanzania scenarios booklet entitled Tutafika Tanzania – Imagining our Future.
  • September-November 2004 – Book and Film Reviewer for Tanzanian English language daily newspaper, The Citizen.
  • February 2005 – Author of original stage play, Sema Kweli, for Tanzania British Council ‘Theatre in Education’ project.
  • August 2005 – Participant to inaugural invitation only Maisha Screenwriters Lab run by acclaimed Hollywood Director, Mira Nair.
  • December 2005 – Contracted by DV8 Films, a leading South African film production company to write original screenplay titled ‘The Informal Citizen’
  • April 2006 – Writer, Producer and Director of a 35-minute documentary on the East African Scenarios process entitled: Imagining the Future – The East African Scenarios Project, for Society of International Development.
  • October 2006 – Contracted by MFD Tanzania to write feature length screenplay titled The Cost of Love, about an elderly caregivers struggle with the effects of HIV AIDS.
  • January 2007 – Writer and Creator of comic book concept titled ‘The Vijana Crew’ for Tanzania Advertising Agency, Creative Eye
  • March 2007 – Writer and co Producer of 5 minute video short interview with award winning Tanzanian music producer , Paul ‘PFunk’ Matthyese titled. ‘What is Bongo Flava?’
  • 2008 – 2009 Head Writer of 13 part TV series, ‘The Agency’, commissioned by MNET AFRICA. Episodes aired in 2009
  • 2008 – Writer of MNET AFRICA commissioned documentary, The Legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’. Programme aired in 2009
  • 2009 – Writer and Producer of short film, ‘Weakness’. Officially selected for a number of Film Festivals including –
    • Kenya International Film Festival, 2009
    • Amakula Kampala International Film Festival 2009
    • ION International Film Festival 2009
    • Pan African Film Festival 2010
    • New York African Film Festival 2010.
    • Durban Film Festival 2010
    • AMMA 2011 (nominated for Best Short Film)
  • 2010 – Writer of short film ‘The Moment of Truth’. Special Mention at Zanzibar International Film Festival 2011.
  • 2012 – Consultant to Media For Development International, assigned to developing feature film projects for Johns Hopkins financed Swahiliwood Project
  • 2012 – Writer / Producer of Vodacom MPesa Mini Films project, 5 short commercial films designed to raise awareness of Mpesa service.
  • 2013 – Writer for BBC Media Action on Proposed Haba na Haba drama series.