Maria Sarungi Tsehai is a renowned Tanzanian communications expert, journalist, and frontline digital activist. She is the founder of "Change Tanzania," an influential social movement that utilizes digital platforms to advocate for good governance, human rights, and freedom of expression. As the Director of Compass Communications, she was also the driving force behind the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant before dedicating her life entirely to civil society activism. Maria represents the modern face of Tanzanian resistance. During the internet blackouts and media suppression of the 2020 and 2025 general elections, she became a vital conduit of information to the outside world, documenting human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests, and electoral fraud. She popularized the online "Maria Spaces" (Twitter/X Spaces), which serve as the largest uncensored virtual town halls for Tanzanians to debate politics, often drawing tens of thousands of listeners. Her relentless advocacy has made her a frequent target of state surveillance and cyber-harassment.