Tanzania’s first female cabinet minister passes away
What you need to know:
- She was appointed in 1975 as the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s first female cabinet minister, Tabitha Siwale has died at the age of 86.
Dr Maka Siwale, one of the deceased’s children, told The Citizen sister paper Mwananchi on March 13, 2025, that her mother passed away last night while receiving treatment at Hindu Mandal Hospital.
She stated that her mother, who had been suffering from age-related illnesses, will be laid to rest at Kinondoni Cemetery, Dar es Salaam, on Saturday, March 15.
Dr Maka also mentioned that the funeral is being held at the late Siwale’s home in Mikocheni kwa Nyerere.
Born in 1939 in Mbeya Region, Siwale was the first woman to serve as a minister in the first phase government under Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
She was appointed in 1975 as the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development.
Later in 1980, she was later transferred to the Ministry of Education.
Siwale replaced Nicholas Kuhanga, who had been appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).
However, in 1982, she was reassigned to the Ministry of Lands, where she served until 1984, when she retired from ministerial duties but remained a Member of Parliament until 2000.
Beyond politics, she served as chairperson and board member of several institutions in Tanzania. She was also a founder of the WAT Savings and Credit Cooperative Society.
Additionally, Siwale was a headmistress at various secondary schools in the country, including Bwiru Girls' and Korogwe Girls' secondary schools.
In 2000, she was awarded the Woman of the Century Award by an American institution in recognition of her contributions to Tanzania.
