Baby Panda 🌻

As your friend and sister, I am deeply saddened by your comment below. It really pierced my heart that I can love and care for someone who can be this callous about a very painful chapter in our history. Samora Machel’s contribution is a matter of historical record. Under his leadership, Mozambique sheltered South African exiles and supported the ANC’s liberation struggle, enduring apartheid military raids and destabilisation. Many died from the cross border incursions of the apartheid army into Mozambique. But many were saved by the protection Machel offered. Apartheid South Africa aligned with RENAMO, the armed militias fighting Machel's government. Machel worked closely with Oliver Tambo and publicly defended the liberation movement. After South African forces attacked ANC safe houses in Matola in January 1981, he continued to affirm solidarity with the oppressed people of South Africa. 17 people were killed. There is also a global, post and anti colonial element to Machel's place in history. Machel led FRELIMO’s struggle against Portuguese colonial rule and became Mozambique’s first president at independence in 1975. He regarded Mozambique’s freedom as inseparable from the liberation of its neighbours. The Nkomati Accord was a tragic and painful moment that even Tambo understood. Machel was put in a corner by the well resourced apartheid regime- in exchange for ending support for RENAMO's military operations, apartheid SA demanded Machel restricts ANC presence in Mozambique. Basically, he had to choose between supporting the ANC or continuing the civil war in his country - which killed hundreds of thousands, caused hunger and disease. The Nkomati Accord was blackmail. Machel and Mozambique paid a heavy price. We honour him. And your post, my friend and brother, is shameful and ignorant.