Unguja. Two first-year students at the State University of Zanzibar (Suza) have died after drowning while swimming at Kizimkazi Beach on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The deceased, a Dar es Salaam resident, Thobiasi Chikakalanga, and Hamza Fakih from Mtwara Region, were both pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at SUZA’s Habari Campus in Kilimani.
The incident occurred in the evening after the students had completed a session at Habari FM radio. They reportedly proceeded to the beach for swimming with two other colleagues.
According to initial reports, four students went to the beach, but one declined to enter the water, saying he could not swim, and remained on the shore holding their clothes.
“Three of them entered the water. Moments later, one of the students rushed back to shore shouting that Thobiasi and Hamza had disappeared under the water,” said a student who declined swimming.
