Samora Machel is renowned for his role in leading the Mozambicans to Independence from the Portuguese colonialists. He was a man of many faces; a military commander, a political leader and a socialist who leaned more towards Marxism-Leninism.
Early life
Born in the small village of Madragoa on 29th September 1933, he grew up under the colonial rule experiencing first-hand how the Mozambicans suffered under their masters. Joined school in 1942 for his primary education but never completed his secondary education. Went to train as a nurse and worked at the Miguel Bombarda Hospital until he left to join the Mozambican nationalist struggle in neigbouring Tanzania.
Political Journey & Independence Struggle
He started his political activities while still at the Hospital where he protested the difference in pay between the black and white nurses. He fled the country to join FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front) which was based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. While there, he volunteered for military service and was among those sent to Algeria for guerilla training. He rose through the ranks and became the head of the army after the death of its commander in October 1966.
After the assassination of FRELIMO’s founder in 1969, he was elected to lead the movement alongside other two; Uria Simango (deputy founder) and Marcelino dos Santos (nationalist & poet). In 1970, Machel was elected as FRELIMO president. He championed Marxism-Leninism and under his leadership the party evolved into a Marxist party.
FRELIMO’s persistence of an independent Mozambique finally paid off and on 7th September 1974, the Portuguese agreed to transfer full power to FRELIMO and on 25th June 1975, Samora Machel proclaimed
the total and complete independence of Mozambique and its constitution into the People's Republic of Mozambique.
This, he said, would be
a state of People's Democracy, in which, under the leadership of the worker-peasant alliance, all patriotic strata commit themselves to the destruction of the sequels of colonialism, and to annihilate the system of exploitation of man by man.
Socialism and populist-socialist Approach
A keen look into Machel’s socialist approach, one understands why…
- Africa at large lacked a political or economic ideology to foster socio-economic development and growth. He saw socialism as a way to liberate his people from extreme poverty, suppression, exploitation…
- The Portuguese were capitalists and the introduction of socialism helped in fostering unity, equality, social mobilization among the Mozambicans…. eventually driving the whites out
- Machel was a bright leader. To achieve his goals, he tweaked socialism by adding a populist angle. He employed populist-socialist ideology to push for:
- Radical nationalism- Perfect recipe for revolution and self-independence
- Adoption of a moderate socialism and social democracy- this ideology brought forth the characteristics of both social and liberal democracy
- Exaltation of the peasantry- From personal experience, peasants were made to suffer and work for the colonial masters
- Women liberation- Saw this (giving women their rightful places in the society) as an important cog for the wheel of revolution
- Isolationist principle- From colonial experience, Machel isolated Mozambique especially from European countries especially the Soviet Union
The populist-socialist ideology was inspired mainly by his experience as he grew up. He saw how the Portuguese treated the Africans and the trickle-down effects of this treatment on the socio-economic development of Mozambique. He really wanted his people to be free and independent.
How did this ideology fair?
- Ensured socialization and nationalization of wealth. This way, everyone had a fair share and the resources of the state was shared equitably
- Made FRELIMO a Marxist-Leninist party. This ensured that its ideology was practices all over the country
- Provided for concurrent expansion of the military and the political system
- Dedicated military and socialist revolutionary measures which presided over the independence of Mozambique from Portugal
Death
Samora Machel died on 19th October 1986 in a plane crash enroute Mozambique from Zambia at Mbuzini, near the Mozambique- South African border. Had gone to Mbala, Zambia for mediation talks aimed at putting pressure on Zaire’s dictator Mobutu Sese Seko over his support for Angolan opposition movement, UNITA. His death remains a mystery to date with factions divided on whether it was an assassination or pure accident.
Samora Machel was buried in Maputo in a star-shaped crypt at Mozambican Heroes’ Square.
Samora Machel: A Legacy of Liberation and Leadership