Bibi Titi Mohammed

Tanzania
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Tanzania
Constitution Human rights
Government President (list) John Magufuli Vice-President Samia Suluhu Prime Minister (list) Kassim Majaliwa
Legislature Speaker Job Ndugai
Elections Recent elections General: 2005 2010 2015 Political parties
Administrative divisions Regions Districts
Foreign relations
Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein Vice Presidents Seif Sharif Hamad Seif Ali Iddi Revolutionary Government Revolutionary Council House of Representatives
Other countries Atlas

Bibi Titi Mohammed (1926–2000) was a Tanzanian politician. She was born in 1926 , in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to a Muslim family. She was a close friend of the first President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere being introduced to him in 1954, by the driver of a family cab.

Mohammed was one of the founding members of the Tanzanian African National Union (TANU), and played a major role in fighting for Tanzania's independence.

In October 1969, Mohammed, and the former Labour Minister Michael Kamaliza were arrested, along with four army officers, being charged with plotting to overthrow the government.

Tanzania's first treason trial was held, and after the 127-day trial, Mohammed was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Two years later, in April 1972, Mohammed received a presidential pardon. Upon her release, Mohammed led a life of isolation. Her husband had abandoned her during the trial, her political associates disowned her, and most of her friends deserted her.

In 1991, when Tanzania was celebrating 30 years of independence, Bibi Titi appeared in the ruling party's paper as "A Heroine of Uhuru(Freedom) Struggle".

On November 5, 2000 Mohammed died at Net Care Hospital in Johannesburg where she was being treated.

One of Dar es Salaam's major roads is named after Mohammed in honour of the great achievements made by her toward Tanzanian independence.

Bibi Titi Mohammed was a key player within the creation of TANU (Tanganyika African National Union), which was a major political party within Tanzania. Mohammed’s involvement began when she met Julius Nyerere, who would eventually become the first president. Mohammed was able to hold a position of leadership with TANU, mostly due to Nyerere’s belief of equality. Giving women visibility was a major priority of Nyerere’s policy, giving Mohammed the platform she needed. Bibi Titi Mohammed was the leader of the women’s wing of TANU, called Umoja wa Wanawake wa Tanzania (UWT). This organization was key in the selling and distributing the beliefs and ideals of TANU. UWT also was a great tool in united women throughout Tanzania. UWT was major source of empowerment for women all across Tanzania. This is an incredible achievement especially since history always undermines women, Mohammed and her organization help women throughout Tanzania, in doing this Tanzanian’s were able to take back their country and make it theirs again. In later years Bibi Titi Mohammed was group and placed on trial with conspirators going against the TANU. During her trial Mohammed was found guilty and put on house arrest. Two years later then President Nyerere pardon Mohammed but the damage was done. Mohammed would live the rest of her life in solitude.^{[1] [2] [3]}

References

Further reading

• http://www.gwsafrica.org/knowledge/bibi.html
• http://www.nationaudio.com/News/EastAfrican/081199/Features/PA3.html