Remembering Samora Machel

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Mozambique’s first president Samora Moisés Machel, who died in a plane crash.

The plane crashed into a hillside at Mbuzini in Mpumalanga, and the cause of the crash is still widely debated.

The crash claimed 34 others alongside Machel, while nine survived.

Dignitaries from South Africa and Mozambique gathered on Monday at the Samora Machel Museum in Mbuzini to celebrate the life of the struggle icon.

South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the congregation and said the commemoration “[allowed] us to pay tribute to the people of Mozambique for their solidarity and sacrifice”.

“He died on his journey to achieve a peaceful, stable, secure and prosperous region ... He continues to inspire us to build a society free of prejudice, racism, patriarchy and exploitation,” Ramaphosa said.

Machel’s widow Graça Machel, Mozambique Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza, representatives of the Russian Federation, and families of those who died with Machel in the crash were present.

The anniversary this year was organised under the theme “Commemorating lifelong dedication to the people of southern African. We remember them!”

It mainly aims to strengthen the relations between South Africa and Mozambique.

Machel was president from June 25 1975 to October 19 1986 and died at the age of 53.

Many took to social media to celebrate his heroism.