SAMORA MACHEL

From Farming Village to Freedom Fighter

Samora Moisés Machel was born on September 29, 1933, in Madragoa, Mozambique, to a family of farmers. Despite the challenges imposed by Portuguese colonial rule, his father thrived as a successful farmer, owning four plows and 400 head of cattle by 1940. Machel's upbringing in a farming village shaped his early life, attending mission elementary school and later being sent to school in the town of Zonguene in Gaza Province. However, he never completed his secondary education.

In 1954, Machel began studying nursing in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), witnessing the racial injustices faced by Black Mozambicans. His political journey commenced with protests against these inequalities in the Miguel Bombarda hospital. Fearing Portuguese surveillance, he fled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, joining FRELIMO, the Mozambique Liberation Front, via Swaziland, South Africa, and Botswana.

Machel volunteered for military service in Tanzania and played a pivotal role in FRELIMO's guerrilla training and the struggle for Mozambique's independence. After the death of FRELIMO's founder, Eduardo Mondlane, in 1969, Machel rose to prominence, eventually becoming FRELIMO President in 1970. Under his leadership, FRELIMO adopted Marxist–Leninist ideology, strategically countering Portugal's attempts to eliminate the movement.

The overthrow of the Portuguese government in 1974 marked a turning point, leading to Mozambique's independence on June 25, 1975, with Machel as its first President. Challenges ensued, including border conflicts, internal dissent, and human rights criticisms. In 1977, RENAMO's rebellion initiated a civil war, further complicated by South Africa's support for RENAMO after Rhodesia's collapse.

Machel faced economic challenges and signed the Nkomati Accord with South Africa in 1984 to end support for RENAMO and the ANC. However, South African support persisted, prolonging the conflict. On October 19, 1986, while attending a summit in Zambia, Machel's presidential aircraft crashed near the Mozambican-South African border, resulting in his tragic death and 33 others.

Machel's state funeral in 1986 drew international leaders, acknowledging his role in the struggle against apartheid. He was buried in Mozambican Heroes' Square. His personal life included marriages to Sorita Tchaiakomo, Irene Buque, and Josina Abiatar Muthemba, who tragically died in 1971. His second wife, Graça Simbine, later married Nelson Mandela in 1998, becoming the only woman to have been First Lady of two countries.

Internationally, Machel established strong relationships, particularly with Italy, in the fight against apartheid and Portuguese colonialism. He participated in conferences advocating for freedom and independence for Mozambique and other African nations.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samora_Machel