The nation is mourning the death of Mama Fatma Karume, the widow of Zanzibar’s first President, who passed away yesterday at the age of 97, 54 years after the assassination of her husband, the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, in 1972.
The death has been met with deep sorrow, with various leaders and football stakeholders in the country remembering the significant contribution of the Karume family to the history of nation-building and the development of sport, particularly the historic Yanga SC.
During her lifetime, Mama Fatma was born in 1930 in Bumbwini, Unguja, and married Mzee Karume in November 1944. She was a strong pillar and an exemplary figure in raising her family, including former President of Zanzibar, Amani Abeid Karume.
As the nation mourns the remarkable woman, football stakeholders have also used the occasion to revive memories of her husband, Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, who is regarded as one of the pioneers and key patrons of modern football in Tanzania through Yanga.
Historical records show that Mzee Karume was a member and passionate supporter of Yanga from his youth, when he worked as a sailor.
His close relationship with the club reached a significant point in 1971, when he became concerned about the infrastructure challenges facing the club.
In what has been described as a major turning point for football, Mzee Karume provided financial support for the construction of Yanga’s headquarters and their training ground in Jangwani, which later became known as ‘Kaunda Stadium’. It is on this same site that Yanga is now building its new stadium.
That move made him the first government leader to make such a significant investment in a football club. However, analysts point out that Mzee Karume was not biased; despite his love for Yanga, he also ensured that their biggest rivals, Simba SC — then known as Sunderland — received a building on Msimbazi Street, helping lay the foundation for the club’s transition away from its colonial-era name.
The death of Mama Fatma Karume has closed an important chapter in the lives of witnesses to the history of the Union and the establishment of our football, but the legacy left by her family in the hearts of Yanga fans and Tanzanians in general will remain forever.
Rest in peace, Mama Karume.
