Kleist Sykes

Who was Kleist Sykes?

Kleist Sykes was a Tanganyikan political activist. He helped formed the Tanganyika African Association.

Sykes was born in Pangani to father Sykes Mbuwane, a Zulu mercenary hired by the German Empire, and a Nyaturu mother. After his father died, Sykes moved with his godfather, Effendi Plantan, to Dar Es Salaam, and would later fight for the Germans in the First World War.

After the war, Sykes worked for the Tanganyika Railway. He met Dr. James Aggrey, Ghanaian teacher, who inspired Sykes to form the Tanganyika African Association in 1929, along with friends including Mzee bin Sudi, Cecil Matola, Suleiman Mjisu and Raikes Kusi. In the 1930s, AA members built the organization's headquarters at New Street, where the Tanganyika African National Union would later be created in 1954.

Sykes was the first African to join the Tanganyika Chamber of Commerce, and the second African to serve in colonial Dar es Salaam's Municipal Council.

Sykes had three sons, Abulwahid, Ally, and Abbas, who would also have prominent careers in Tanzania.