From Mediocrity to Greatness

NANCY SUMARI, former Miss Tanzania and Miss World (Africa), is also a published author of children’s books, a businesswoman and social entrepreneur. Here she speaks with PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNAN as part of the GLOW Webinar series, on her roots, being crowned Miss World, the work she has been doing with children and youth, and the role of the heart.

Q: In 2017, Africa’s Youth Awards named you one of the 100 Most Influential Africans. You are a business graduate from the University of Dar es Salaam and the managing director of Bongo5 Media Group Ltd, which focuses on digital media creation. You are the founder and the executive director of The Neghesti Sumari Foundation and the Jenga Hub that runs programs to teach kids from marginalized backgrounds how to do software coding. You are interested in improving the state of your community by working towards digital literacy for all. And your foundation has transformed learning outcomes for youth and little children through its digital literacy programs and applying design making methodology to create value. Today you are going to inspire all of us to break out from mediocrity to greatness. Welcome Nancy.

Thank you so much for having me, this is a great honor.

Q: Likewise. Tell us a little bit about yourself, Nancy.

I’m the third-born of five children. One of my parents is a farmer and the other runs her own hotel business, she’s into catering. I had a very interesting childhood, I grew up on a farm and as you can imagine it was full of adventure, mischief, and just joy and love. My parents were very keen for us to get a good education, and to also grow up in a close-knit loving family.

I have very fond memories of my childhood.