Young Samora Moises Machel grew up as a village boy who helped his father with agricultural activities, including herding cows. He faced various difficulties that hindered him from completing his secondary education. Samora Machel used his fourth-grade certificate to enroll for a nursing course in Maputo. Despite the humble background and challenges he faced in his childhood, Samora Machel beat all odds and became the first president of Mozambique under the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO).
Machel's motivation to join national politics came from several factors, including his comprehension of the country's history, and the brutality that people faced from the Portuguese government. On many occasions, Samora witnessed his close relatives' suffering while working in harsh conditions, with some of them losing their limbs and even dying. Moreover, the government forced farmers, including Samora's family, to sell their produce at low prices to merchants, making them struggle to meet their basic needs. Furthermore, his personal experiences of unfair remuneration for black nurses at his workplace and discrimination in the offering of job opportunities contributed to his urge to fight for economic freedom. His political role model was Edwardo Mondlane, the founder and leader of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO).
Quote: The rich man's dog gets more in vaccination, medicine, and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man's wealth is built." ~ Samora Machel
Machel relocated to Tanzania to join the FRELIMO military activities after quitting his job as a nurse following the discrimination in remuneration between white and black nurses. While in Dar es Salaam, he attended external trainings in other countries, including Algeria. He rose the ranks within the military camps and led army troops as the commanding officer.
Eventually, Samora went back to Mozambique and attended mass gatherings sharing the Mozambique Liberation Font’s agenda of formulating a constitution. The Portuguese colonial rule finally handed over power to Samora Machel, who was the FRELIMO movement leader, which made him the first president of the People's Republic of Mozambique. During his swearing-in ceremony, Samora reiterated that his leadership would prioritize the people who had faced oppression from the colonial masters for a long time; that it was time for the Mozambicans to enjoy their freedom.
Quote: The state must be the first to be organized and totally committed to serving the interests of the people.” ~ Samora Machel
In his tenure as the President, Machel made many changes, including the nationalization of natural resources such as land, and the cessation of existing private health and education services. The president ensured that citizens no longer pay rent that facilitated the significant rural to urban migration as native Mozambicans occupied houses that previously belonged to the Portuguese. Samora built his government around socialism that saw the uplifting of low-class citizens' standards of living.
Samora Machel succumbed to an airplane accident that happened mysteriously. However, he left a long-lasting legacy through the various liberation activities he participated in as a freedom fighter and the president of Mozambique's independent government. He is a true African hero.
Author: David Katana,
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Twitter Handle: @DCK_2020
Sources: Allen Isaacman (2020). Toward a Biography of Samora Machel: The Making of a Revolutionary, 1933-1970 ca. South African Historical Journal, doi: 10.1080/02582473.2020.1725784 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02582473.2020.1725784?journalCode=rshj20
