Zanzibar’s coral reefs are among the most diverse in the world, with over 500 marine species. Zanzibar is a dive destination with something for everyone.
Zanzibar is more than just a beach island to relax on, with over 30 dive sites that include reef, wall, and wreck diving.
THI had a chat with Jamal, a 24-year-old stuntman who rose to prominence through his creative videos of him and a couple of others diving in Tanzania, having the time of their lives, or simply being happy, as he puts it. Jamal tells The Hustle Insight about the purpose of his diving and the challenges he faces behind the videos we see.
Who is Jamal?
Jamal is this guy who is a lover, I was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania.I am a guy who is 24 years old, I’m a guy who likes to share talent with the world
On your Instagram bio, it’s says its all about being happy. Tell us exactly the idea and inspiration behind these stunts that you do?
It’s like a culture, our grandfather use to dive and we have a lot of things that make people happy. I saw good comments, then thought that maybe I should start recording these moments and post online. It has been going on for a long time but when I start to post online, one video went viral. Then we started getting recognition from other countries.
We have seen not just one or two, but several of you performing, so are you like a group or just doing this individually?
Everybody is welcome here. If you want to come, you can just come and dive just for fun. It’s not just about a group, yeah we are a group of people but anyone is allowed to come here.
Does everyone agree on the same stunts?
It is just randomly, but we can do a stunt and ask them if they can do it too. I know my limit and other people know their limit. So, we don’t challenge people beyond their limit.
What challenges do you face
This place has become quite popular and a lot of people come here. So, when a lot of people come, we end up getting like a small place to jump and some get injured because, a lot of people they just see the videos and they come but they don’t know how to dive properly. Also, it is quite hard to record the videos sometimes.
While doing these stunts, who is always the most careful person?
I’m always the one that says, let’s not do this or that because I feel like it’s my duty and that of others to protect ourselves
Has anyone ever gotten injured?
Yes, there are many. Sometimes some people might decide not to jump and their friend just pushes them when they’re unprepared and it just surprises them.
Epic Fail: The boy who hits his head on the wall
Has your diving inspired others to do the same?
Yeah, it has.
How long have you been doing this stunts for?
I’ve been doing this for more than 12 years, I only recently started uploading videos.
What lesson do you want people to learn from watching your videos?
The only thing I can say is for people to be happy.
How has the support been like?
Actually yeah, I get more recognition online from people around the world.
Apart from diving, what other things do you do?
I am a dancer, I do acrobatics, I teach stunts and create contents for a living.
How do you feel the internet has impacted what you do?
I never expected this much recognition. The only thing I can say to other content creators is that it’s not easy because you can’t have a million people watching your videos and have all of them to like you. Sometimes I wake up and I go through my comments on the internet and I see a lot of hate comments.
Have you had people from Outside Tanzania come to watch and dive, and how did it make you feel?
Yeah, and it has made this place popular. It makes me happy to see other people happy.
Watch the divers performing
Culture Beyond the Mainstream 