PSSSF builds journalists’ capacity on social security matters

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF) has conducted a special training for journalists on social security matters as part of its efforts to increase public and members’ understanding of the services, rights and responsibilities provided by the Fund.

The two-day training, which began on August 17, 2026, was officially opened by the PSSSF Kinondoni Zone Manager, Mr Costa Mpagike, on behalf of the PSSSF Director General, Mr Fortunatus Magambo.

Speaking during the opening of the training, Mr Mpagike said the main objective was to build and strengthen a lasting relationship between PSSSF and the media to facilitate the provision of accurate information to the public on social security matters.

“As you know, this two-day training aims to build and strengthen a lasting relationship with the media and journalists, increase public and members’ understanding of PSSSF activities, as well as their rights and responsibilities through various training topics, promote the production of analytical articles and reduce the dissemination of misleading information,” Mr Mpagike said.

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He added that, apart from equipping journalists with knowledge about PSSSF systems and services, the Fund hoped that participants would become ambassadors for disseminating accurate social security information in newsrooms and the wider community.

“We will build your capacity so that you have accurate information about PSSSF and its services, which will make it easier for you to report the truth with greater professionalism and accuracy,” he stressed.

Some participants expressed their appreciation for the training opportunity, saying the knowledge they had gained would help them improve their journalism work, particularly when reporting on social security matters.

The training coordinator, Mr Nevile Meena, said the knowledge gained would assist journalists in their professional duties.

“If you do not know something, you cannot write about it accurately. If you understand something, you will write about it accurately. I thank PSSSF for building our understanding. Personally, I have been a journalist for many years, but there are some things I have learned only now. Learning never ends. I believe we will put this training to good use and perform well in our work,” Mr Meena stressed.

Journalist from Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN), Ms Zena Chande, said the training had increased her understanding of the services and benefits provided by PSSSF.

“Basically, I have increased my understanding of how PSSSF carries out its responsibilities. The things we have learned here will help me perform my work better. Before this training, I did not have sufficient knowledge about the retirement lump-sum benefit, pension and the eligibility requirements for accessing these benefits, but now I have gained a much better understanding,” Ms Chande said.

“These are highly beneficial training sessions for us journalists because we have a major role in communicating with the community, including PSSSF members,” said Ms Julieth Robert, a journalist with ITV.

For his part, veteran journalist and current PSSSF pension beneficiary, Mr Beda Msimbe, shared his experience on the importance of pensions in the life of a retiree.

“This pension helps me greatly in my daily life. After retirement, there are challenges in life, but I am happy to be a PSSSF member. Now I am a retiree receiving a pension every month. Whenever the 22nd of the month arrives, I receive a text message informing me that the money has been deposited into my account. Indeed, PSSSF is performing its role well,” Mr Msimbe said.

The training is part of PSSSF’s strategy to continue working with various stakeholders, particularly the media, to educate the public about the importance of social security and the services provided by the Fund.