Abdul Kader Mohamed

A pioneering South African educator and disability rights activist who broke barriers for visually impaired individuals through innovative teaching methods.

Abdul Kader Mohamed (1910–1998) was a visionary educator from South Africa who transformed education for the visually impaired. Born in Cape Town during apartheid, he lost his sight at age 12 but became the first blind African to earn a university degree in 1937. He developed the first braille system in Afrikaans language and created tactile teaching tools that remain foundational in special education curricula.

In 1948, he co-founded the South African Institute for the Blind (SAIB), which later became the largest provider of assistive technology in Africa. His 1960s initiative to train blind teachers pioneered inclusive education principles, with over 200 graduates becoming educators themselves. Mohamed's advocacy led to the 1974 establishment of the first braille library in sub-Saharan Africa.

His 1953 book 《Education for the Blind in Africa》 became a seminal text adopted across the continent. Despite apartheid restrictions, he established night schools for adult literacy, training over 5,000 students. The Kader Mohamed Foundation continues his work today, operating 12 braille printing presses.

His legacy influenced global disability rights frameworks, inspiring later activists like South Africa's Thando Mgqolozana. For academic resources, explore the South African History Online archives. His story is featured in the documentary 《Voices in the Dark》 (2015), though no official film exists about his life.