Our Team
Voices of Kilimanjaro
At Voices of Kilimanjaro, our passionate team is committed to fostering creativity, empowerment, and cultural enrichment. Each member brings a unique set of skills in theatre, music, and dance, working together to create a vibrant and inclusive society. Get to know the talented individuals who drive our vision of cultural exchange and transformative artistic expression.
Vicky Rugakingira
Founder, Producer, and Director of Voices of Kilimanjaro
Vicky Rugakingira, widely celebrated as Ma Vicky, the Mother of African Theatre and Entertainment, is a vibrant force hailing from Tanzania and now thriving in New York. As the founder, producer, and director of Voices of Kilimanjaro, she has made a significant mark in the world of African arts.
In addition to her theatrical prowess, Vicky is a talented freelance writer and visionary. Her latest creation, “Juliana,” explores a poignant chapter of history, tracing the origins of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania's Kagera region. The story delves into the period following the fall of Uganda's infamous dictator, Idi Amin Dada, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Mama Wendy Murphy
Director and Board Member
Fondly known as the Godmother of Voices of Kilimanjaro—has been an invaluable guiding force for the organization over the past five years. Her unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in nurturing our mission, and we are profoundly honored to have her wisdom and leadership guiding us every step of the way.
Eliud Rugakingira
Director and Manager
Eliud, based in Tanzania, is the dynamic director and manager of Juliana Arts Group, the creative sibling of Voices of Kilimanjaro. With a keen eye for artistic excellence and a deep-rooted passion for the arts, Eliud steers Juliana Arts Group towards new horizons, shaping a vibrant cultural landscape alongside its sister company.
Elizabeth Lujwangana
Director of Kids Swahili program
As a mother herself, Elizabeth is dedicated to passing on these cherished values to her daughter and niece, understanding firsthand the significance of cultural identity. This commitment inspired her to create Little Swahili Speakers, a series designed to help parents teach their children Swahili and Tanzanian Culture.
Through these books, Elizabeth aims not only to introduce the beauty of Swahili to young readers but also to empower them with confidence and pride in their heritage.
Justa Lujwangana
Travel Program Director and Advisor
Justa’s boundless curiosity and passion for her homeland through Curious on Tanzania, a venture she founded in 2015. This isn’t just a travel initiative; it’s a heartfelt endeavor to deliver deep, transformative experiences for those eager to explore Tanzania’s rich landscape and culture.
At the heart of her work is a unique two-week residency program, crafted for creatives who yearn to live like locals. Participants dive into daily Tanzanian life, connect with like-minded individuals, and collaborate on projects while discovering the country’s hidden treasures. Under Justa’s guidance, this program promises not just an adventure, but a creative journey that blends work and exploration in a vibrant, immersive setting.
Mafor Mambo Tse
Executive Producer
Mambo Tse is known as a choreographer, artistic director and performance artist. Over the past twenty years, she has conducted many community engagement workshops on African Dances, histories, Music & cultures globally.
Mambo Tse was crowned the MAFOR of Alahnkyi in 2016. She is a dedicated and committed community activist who was a cultural coordinator of UNESCO Center for Peace in 2013. She was voted Best Soukous Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards in 2004 with Soukous Stars. She has received many acclaims from organizations she has volunteered in. She is the founder of Siren-Protectors of the Rainforest and has taken her group on corporate sponsored tours around the United States and Canada. In 2024, her group headlined at BAM’s Dance Africa bringing to NYC rare dances from the Cameroons. She won the 2018 Novo Foundation Innovation in Programming Award from Education 1st & the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for community conversations series, a program sponsored by HumanitiesNY with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
She has toured with the Wailers on the East Coast of the United States and was invited to the award ceremony of Her Excellency President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia for The Hunger Project Africa Prize for Leadership because of the non-profit work she and her group had been doing in sub-Saharan Africa. She has also partnered up with The Global Institute for Total Human Development to build wells and schools in Cameroon from 2008 to 2010 and headlined the Hispanico Magazine at Jacob Riis Houses 10th Annual AIDS Awareness for residents of NYCHA. Of all the stages she has held captive, the one that; according to her, makes her feel accomplished is her performance for Chinua Achebe (Africa’s late literary giant) during his receipt of the Lillian Gish Prize for Literature.
She is from Ambazonia but was born in Cameroun, grazed in Texas and now resides in Brooklyn.
Koku Gonza
Director Of Music
Koku Gonza is a Tanzanian-American Afro-soul artist renowned for her blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and neo-soul. With a vibrant connection between Dar Es Salaam and Brooklyn, her music, often compared to neo-soul icons like Sade and Miriam Makeba, embodies the beauty of the African diaspora. As a D’Angelico-endorsed guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Koku’s sultry sound has captured global audiences.
She has graced stages at notable events, including the Umbria Jazz Festival in 2019 with Lauryn Hill and Richard Bona. In 2023, her video for "Zanzibar" was featured at the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali Rwanda, and she performed at the IATF Creative African Nexus in Cairo, Egypt.
December 2024, Koku Gonza released "Motto," another single from her forthcoming project, Young Maandazi. This album, is a collaboration with acclaimed Accra-based bassist and producer Nee Mantse. The project fuses Ghanaian highlife with Swahili and English lyrics, celebrating Tanzanian and Ghanaian cultures. Mantse’s past collaborations include work with Ghanaian and contemporary stars like Kwabena Kwabena, Sarkodie, and contributions to tracks such as "5star" by Adekunle Gold featuring Rick Ross.
Koku Gonza’s music, deeply rooted in her Tanzanian heritage, combined with Mantse’s intricate production, creates a rich and culturally immersive experience. Her artist name, derived from the Haya tribe and meaning "the one who loves," reflects the passion she pours into her craft.