SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the day of:  January 2, 2009

Commission File Number 001-32500

TANZANIAN ROYALTY EXPLORATION CORPORATION

(Registrant's name)

404-1688 152nd Street

South Surrey, BC  V4A 4N2

Canada

 (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F    P        

Form 40-F    ___

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):__

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):__

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes   ___

No    P           

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):

Attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by reference herein is the Registrant's News Release dated January 2, 2009.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation

(Registrant)

James Sinclair

Date:   January 2, 2009

James E. Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 1

Connecticut Office:

Form 20-F, File No. 001-32500

93 Benton Hill Road

Trade Symbol:

Sharon, CT  06069

   TSX:

 TNX

Tel:  (860) 364-1830

   NYSE Alternext US LLC:  TRE

Fax:  (860) 364-0673

Vancouver Office:

Suite 404 – 1688 152nd Street

South Surrey, BC  V4A 4N2

Toll Free: 1-800-811-3855

Email:

    investors@TanzanianRoyaltyExploration.com

Tel: (604) 536-7873

Website:  www.TanzanianRoyaltyExploration.com

Fax: (604) 536-2529

News Release - January 2, 2009

Tanzanian Royalty Chairman Will Proceed With $375,000 7^th Tranche

of $3 Million Private Placement and Advance to the Company Another $375,000

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation announces that Mr. Sinclair is proceeding with the 7^th tranche of the private placement announced on August 10, 2006 whereby Mr. Sinclair agreed to purchase common shares of the Corporation representing an aggregate value of $3,000,000.  Such shares are to be purchased in 8 quarterly tranches of $375,000 each, commencing February 1, 2007.  The 7^th tranche of the Placement will consist of 69,832 common shares of the Corporation having a purchase price of $5.37 per share for proceeds totaling $375,000.  The purchase price reflects the greater of the 5-day weighted average trading price on the Toronto Stock Exchange of the Company’s shares for the period ended December 18, 2008 of $4.815 and the closing price on December 18, 2008 of $5.37.

Mr. Sinclair’s investments and interest free advance of $375,000 reflects his continued confidence in and commitment to Tanzanian Royalty’s endeavours.

The placement common shares are subject to certain mandated hold periods and the certificates representing such shares are legended accordingly.  No warrants, options or other rights have been issued or granted in connection with the placement.

The private placement is subject to Regulatory approval.

Respectfully Submitted,

“James Sinclair”

James E. Sinclair

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact Investor Relations at 1-800-811-3855

Visit our website:  www.TanzanianRoyaltyExploration.com

The Toronto Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - The United States Securities and Exchange Commission limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms on this news release, such as “reserves”, “resources”, “geologic resources”, “proven”, “probable”, "measured", "indicated", or "inferred" which may not be consistent with the reserve definitions established by the SEC.  U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No. 001-32500.  You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Certain information presented in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Investors are referred to our description of the risk factors affecting the Company, as contained in our Form 20-F, File No. 001-32500, for a more information concerning these risks, uncertainties, and other factors.