Name Bibi Mohammed | Role Politician | |
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Died 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
Bibi Titi Mohammed (1926–2000) was a Tanzanian politician. She was born in 1926 [1], 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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
One of Dar es Salaam's major roads is named after Mohammed in honour of the great achievements made by her toward Tanzanian independence.