On 2 July 2026 BTS held a 50th Anniversary celebration evening with BTS President, President Kikwete, in London.
At the event we were delighted to present specially chosen artwork to each high commission: one to the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam and one to the Tanzanian High Commission in London. We hope these will be a lasting reminder of our many years of friendship and support.
We chose two very different pictures, but each has real significance, and we hope future generations of diplomats will enjoy them for very many years.
For the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam, we were fortunate to obtain a drawing of the late Dr Jane Goodall from the artist, Wendy Barratt (www.wendybarratt.com). Wendy won the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year competition in 2023. Her winning commission was to paint Jane Goodall for the National Portrait Gallery. Wendy very kindly agreed to let us have one of her
preliminary sketches of Jane Goodall. Through her long association with and love of the people of Tanzania, Jane Goodall conveys perfectly the spirit of the BTS.
Drawing of Dr Jane Goodall by Wendy Barratt
For the Tanzanian High Commission in Stratford Place, London, we chose a work by the well respected Tanzanian artist, Haji Chilonga (hajichilonga.weebly.com). Chilonga’s work has been shown in exhibitions in many parts of Africa, Europe and the USA. He was invited to take part in the prestigious 2024 Venice Biennale. Haji Chilonga was a participation in the exhibition of Tanzanian artists, which was held at the Royal Commonwealth Society as part of the BTS’s celebrations of Tanzania’s 50th years of Independence. The work chosen features women market traders – still the backbone of the Tanzanian economy. This large work by this well respected Tanzanian artist should enhance the newly refurbished high commission building.
Market traders by Haji Chilonga
We are seeking further donation from the community to cover the purchase, framing and donation of these works. If you are able to give anything to support this cost, it would be greatly appreciated. Please send your donation to the Society’s bank account with the reference: “Appeal + your surname”.
BTS bank details: Account name: BRIT TANZ SOC, Sort code: 40-07-06, Account number: 11066064.