Mohammed, Bibi Titi (1925–2000)

Bibi Titi Mohammed is Tanzania's most famous woman. Even though she had little formal education, she played a prominent role in the independence politics of the country. The role of African women during the anti-colonial nationalism on the African continent has not been acknowledged adequately, and very few [Page 967]studies have been done on the role they played in the liberation struggles of their countries. One woman who has received attention is Bibi Titi Mohammed, who played a prominent role in the formation of African nationalism.

Julius Nyerere, leader of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), needed an outgoing and gregarious woman who would draw women to the organization; he chose Bibi Titi Mohammed for a lead role in this effort, and at the independence celebration on December 9, 1961, Bibi Titi Mohammed shared the stage with Julius Nyerere.

Bibi Titi's career began in the 1950s as one of the founders of the Umoja wa Wanawake wa Tanganyika (Union of Tanganyikan Women), an organization that was a source of support for the Tanganyika African National Union in general and Julius Nyerere in particular.

Bibi Titi Mohammed, an Amazon-like bundle of nerves and energy, swept virtually overnight to the front of the political affairs of Tanganyika. She vigorously campaigned for the uplifting of African women's social status in the belief that it was essential if Tanganyika was to advance to its fullest capacity. Equality for men and women was one of the key planks of her policy. When TANU was formed in 1954, Bibi Titi Mohamed became a member almost immediately. Her talent for organization and her capacity for analysis were soon recognized, and she was elected chair of the women's section of TANU. Her greatest asset, however, was undoubtedly her ability to capture a meeting and hold an audience. Bibi Titi was known to be spontaneous when addressing crowds of TANU supporters in meetings, and she had a certain vitality lacking in her male counterparts.

Bibi Titi was not embarrassed to speak her mind about what she perceived as male chauvinism in Tanzania. At one TANU rally, Bibi Titi scolded male chauvinism but was quick to point out that Nyerere himself supported women's equality. All the previous confidence and trust of Julius Nyerere disappeared in 1969 when she and Labor Minister Michael Kamaliza were arrested, along with four army officers, for plotting to overthrow the Nyerere government. This was Tanzania's first treason trial, and all the accused, including Bibi Titi, faced the death penalty. At the end of the 127-day trial, Bibi Titi received a life sentence. In April 1972, Bibi Titi Mohammed received President Julius Nyerere's pardon and was released from prison. She died on November 5, 2000, while being treated for a blood-related illness in a Johannesburg hospital.