STAKEHOLDERS yesterday launched a special competition that emphasizes the transformative power of education and art in fostering creativity and national pride among Tanzanian youth.

Dubbed: “The Beauty of Tanzania, My Pride” competition invites students to showcase their artistic talents while celebrating the beauty of Tanzania.

Among the stakeholders include Vivo Energy Tanzania and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) through Creative Arts Department.

Speaking during the contest launch in Dar es Salaam, Mohamed Bougriba, managing director of Vivo Energy Tanzania, underlined that education is the foundation of development.

 “True education not only teaches the mind but also helps build character. This initiative seeks to cultivate a generation of artists who can contribute positively to society,” he said.

Participants from secondary schools in Dar es Salaam and students from the Department of Creative Arts at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) will compete for attractive prizes, including a laptop for the first-place winner, a tablet for the second-place winner, and additional prizes for the third-place winner in secondary schools.

For university winners, cash prizes will be awarded: 2m/- for first place, 1m/- for second place and 500,000/- for third place.

Bougriba also emphasised the firm’s commitment to making a positive impact on the community through education and environmental sustainability.

The competition’s theme, The Beauty of Tanzania, My Pride, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education.

Bougriba noted that Tanzania’s stunning landscapes and rich cultural diversity inspire creativity, offering students unique opportunities to express their talents.

The initiative is part of Vivo Energy’s Green Plan, which builds on the success of last year’s #PlantATree campaign. The new initiative, Take Care of a Tree, Live Green 2024, focuses on environmental conservation and supports SDG No. 15: Life on Land, reinforcing Nyerere’s belief that "land is our life; we must protect it.”

Bougriba also spoke about the mental health benefits of art, stating: “Art is not just a tool for self-expression but also a form of therapy. It helps manage stress, improve mental well-being, and create a sense of accomplishment.”

 He stressed that in today’s fast-paced world, art provides a vital opportunity to pause, reflect, and heal.

“Vivo Energy extends heartfelt thanks to its partners—the Government of Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam, UN Global Compact, and East Africa Radio/TV’s Skonga programme—for their unwavering support in making this initiative possible,” he said.

By promoting the creativity of Tanzanian youth, The Beauty of Tanzania, My Pride art competition aims to inspire a new generation of artists and leave a lasting impact on society.

Experts from the Department of Creative Arts at UDSM, including Dr Erick Mgema, highlighted that the competition celebrates artistic excellence through a rigorous selection and judging process. This process will evaluate key criteria to identify 20 participants, 10 from each group, who will attend an art workshop.

Dr Issa Mbura, also from UDSM explained that the initiative engages participants in showcasing their talents by creating artwork that reflects Tanzania’s beauty.

Participants will participate at a two-day training workshop at the Art School, followed by eight days of painting sessions. The top 10 participants from each group will be recognised and featured on Vivo Energy’s social media platforms.

Aileen Meena, energy firm’s  head of communications, marketing and social projects, stated that the competition aims to empower young artists, showcasing the company’s commitment to creativity and social responsibility.

Key aspects of the competition include promoting creativity, enhancing collaboration with educational partners, fostering sustainability, and emphasising education as a tool for development. This initiative nurtures talent and empowers young people to drive positive change.

As a company, Vivo Energy continues to lead across Africa through its Engen and Shell brands in fuel and lubricants, committed to sustainable operations and community development.