Zuhura Yunus, who became the first female to present Dira ya Dunia on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has quit the media house.
According to an internal communication, Zuhura will present her final Dira ya Dunia for the BBC today at 1800 GMT.
"After recently writing a successful biography of Biubwa Amour Zahor, a female political activist during the Zanzibar revolution in 1964, Zuhura informed me recently that she now wishes to concentrate on writing and other interests outside the BBC.
"Zuhura specifically asked me not to make a fuss of her decision to leave and Covid has prevented us from marking this in the office in the way that I would like to. She will still be employed by the BBC for a little while longer as she is officially on leave after today, but I am personally sad to see her go and I’m sure many of you will feel the same way," part of the email read.
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She joined BBC in 2008 as a radio presenter and producer before moving to Swahili TV in 2014.
"In 2014 Zuhura moved to Swahili TV and subsequently became the first woman to present Dira ya Dunia. During this time she has contributed to many of our TV and radio programmes and has covered numerous high-profile stories including the US presidential elections in 2012, Hurricane Sandy and Nelson Mandela’s funeral in December 2013. She also reported on the 2014 Global Summit in London to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. She has interviewed African leaders such as Tanzania’s president Jakaya Kikwete as part of the story about illegal trade in wildlife along with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
"Her interview with the joint opposition candidate in Tanzanian elections, Edward Lowassa, created a social-media buzz across Tanzania and beyond in 2015. The unique content she has delivered for BBC World Service includes a story about the oldest ship still in operation, that was built by Germany during the first world war and that is still in active use in Kigoma, Tanzania. She also made BBC television history in 2019 when she presented Focus on Africa TV and became the first person to present on BBC World News wearing a hijab," the email adds.
This comes barely four months after BBC Africa boss Solomon Mugera the British media house.
“After 22 years, Solomon Mugera has decided to leave the BBC and explore pastures new,” a memo seen by Nairobileo.co.ke read.
Days after exiting BBC, Mugera was appointed Director Communications and External Relations at the Africa Development Bank (ADB).
Read Also: BBC Africa Boss Quits After 22 Years
“It is an honour to work for the Africa Development Bank and supports its vision for the continent. This is an institution that is leading Africa’s effort to transform itself and make a real difference to the lives of millions of people. The bank has the talent, expertise, knowledge and story that needs to be told across Africa and to a global audience,” he said.
