- Title: The Tanzanian woman who found global fame in 2019 with viral soccer videos
- Date: 30th December 2019
- Summary: Hadhara Mjeje is a Tanzanian woman whose ball juggling wizardry sparked a viral video that also caught the attention of US President Donald Trump. She is traveling around Africa wowing crowds and charging for her performances in order to feed her family. DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA (FILE) (REUTERS) FOOTBALL ON THE GROUND HADHARA MJEJE STRETCHING VARIOUS OF MJEJE JUGGLING FOOTBALL FOR SPECTATORS, SOME OF THEM GIVE HER MONEY (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) HADHARA MJEJE, FOOTBALL JUGGLER, SAYING: "I started juggling using orange peels and I liked it a lot. I watched Ronaldo and Messi, they inspired me. I used orange peels, then a handmade football and then finally a proper football." VARIOUS OF MJEJE AND A FRIEND WATCHING VIDEOS ON A PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) HADHARA MJEJE, FOOTBALL JUGGLER, SAYING: "The video was posted on social media by journalists from Malawi TV. I would like to give thanks to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, for acknowledging my talent. He supported me and I am very grateful." MJEJE JUGGLING BALL WITH HER HEAD AND SHOULDERS PEOPLE WATCHING MJEJE AND TAKING PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPECTATOR SAYING: "I have observed her skills and I feel intimidated. There is no way I can match her ball control. She has been recognized globally so it's time we recognized here as well." (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPECTATOR SAYING: "Our leaders; let's not only support men's soccer, support the women as well. President Magufuli; take care of this lady. She has an amazing talent and she's flawless. She has trained hard and we see her on the TV, but for those of us women who are keeping the home, we support her." VARIOUS OF MJEJE JUGGLING THE BALL FOR SPECTATORS (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) HADHARA MJEJE, FOOTBALL JUGGLER, SAYING: "If I manage to get sponsored, I will continue to train and improve my skills. I will also to coach other jugglers, but they won't be many because it's about having the talent, like for me I can dribble with my head 5,800 times while sitting." MJEJE JUGGLING BALL IN THE STREET
- Embargoed: 13th January 2020 14:11
- Keywords: Donald Trump Hadhara Mjeje Tanzanian ball juggler football juggling viral video
- Location: DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
- City: DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
- Country: Tanzania
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001BC63BRR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A small crowd has gathered on a side street in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's commercial capital. They are here to watch Hadhara Mjeje display the "keepie uppie" skills featured in a viral video that has been making the social media rounds in recent weeks.
The clip that shot her to international fame was filmed in Malawi, but Mjeje is Tanzanian.
She fell in love with soccer as a child but developed a respiratory condition that kept her off the pitch. Her frustration at being sidelined, and restlessness while watching others play, kicked off her fascination with juggling.
"I started juggling using orange peels and I liked it a lot. I watched Ronaldo and Messi, they inspired me. I used orange peels, then a handmade football, and then finally a proper football," she said.
Mjeje's natural talent, dedication, and ability to entertain the crowd soon drew the attention of event promoters in Tanzania and other countries like Malawi - where the potentially life-changing video was shot. It was shared online and eventually caught the attention of none other than U.S. President Donald Trump.
"The video was posted on social media by journalists from Malawi TV. I would like to give thanks to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, for acknowledging my talent. He supported me and I am very grateful," she told Reuters.
Mjeje has also earned the grudging respect of many male football players.
"I have observed her skills and I feel intimidated. There is no way I can match her ball control. She has been recognized globally so it's time we recognized here as well," said Justus Kiwele who was in the crowd during Mjeje's impromptu performance.
Some Tanzanian women are calling her an inspiration and want the country's leaders to take notice.
"Our leaders; let's not only support men's soccer, support the women as well. President Magufuli; take care of this lady. She has an amazing talent and she's flawless. She has trained hard and we see her on the TV, but for those of us women who are keeping the home, we support her," said Amina Ahmed, who also watched as Mjeje put on a show.
The years of practice may soon pay off. Mjeje is waiting to hear if a sponsorship deal - that could mean a better life for her and her two sons - has gone through.
"If I manage to get sponsored, I will continue to train and improve my skills. I will also to coach other jugglers, but they won't be many because it's about having the talent, like for me I can dribble with my head 5,800 times while sitting," she added.
In the meantime she's using her head - and is promoting her online videos so as to draw more fans and potential sponsors. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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