Samora Machel 30th Anniversary A Reminder South Africa’s Freedom Didn’t Come Easy
South Africa is playing host Monday to the 30th Anniversary Service of the late Mozambican President Samora Machel, who died in a plane crash over South African soil on 19 October 1986, along with 34 others. Only nine survived the crash at Mbuzini, Mpumalanga. Questions still hang over the crash today, with some suspecting it was not […]
South Africa is playing host Monday to the 30th Anniversary Service of the late Mozambican President Samora Machel, who died in a plane crash over South African soil on 19 October 1986, along with 34 others. Only nine survived the crash at Mbuzini, Mpumalanga.
Questions still hang over the crash today, with some suspecting it was not “human error” as was concluded at the time, but rather an assassination. (At the time South Africa’s then Foreign Minister Pik Botha alleged that the Russian pilots were “high” on vodka.)
On Twitter today, the sentiment has been, in the words of one tweet: “May this day serve as a sharp reminder that SA’s freedom didn’t come easy and Frontline states suffered immensely.”
South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, address the Service in Mpumalanga.
President Machel’s widow, Graca Machel (who is also the widow of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela), is present; as well as the Mozambican Prime Minister, representatives of the Russian Federation and families of those who perished.
Graca Machel gave evidence in private to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission official in 1998, alleging that her husband had been killed following a conspiracy involving Mozambique, Malawi and SA apartheid government agents.
The theme for this year’s anniversary is “Commemorating life-long dedication to the people of Southern African people, We remember them!”
The commemoration aims to grow relations between SA and Mozambique, commemorate those who died, highlight the role played by Mozambique and other countries towards South Africa’s liberation, and promote Liberation Heritage and inclusive citizenship.
The widow of the late President Machel, Graca Machel, arriving at the monument #SamoraMachel pic.twitter.com/QEYEVpKAux
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 17, 2016
Some of the debris outside the Samora Machel Monument in Mbuzini. The plane crash occured: 19 Oct '86 #SamoraMachel pic.twitter.com/bYBvpzrV6p
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 17, 2016
Without you Africa is poor, without your leadership Africa has been robbed of intellect and wisdom..#SamoraMachel ✊✊ pic.twitter.com/7ChzfLL6eY
— Neza 🇿🇦 (@Neza4real) October 17, 2016
"International Solidarity is not an act of charity: It is an act of unity…" #ANCRemembers #SamoraMachel pic.twitter.com/qmQTZ8HT31
— African National Congress (@MYANC) October 17, 2016