SA honours the life of President Samora Machel

The South African government will on Monday honour the life of the late Mozambican President Samora Machel, the first President of the independent Mozambique and the 34 individuals who lost their lives in a plane crash in Mbuzini, Mpumalanga province. 

The event will take place at the Samora Machel Monument and Museum in Mpumalanga. 

The year 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the tragedy and the event will take place under the theme: “Commemorating Lifelong Dedication to the People of Southern Africa: Honouring All Victims of the Mbuzini Tragedy”.

The event seeks to achieve the following: 

• Honouring the lives of President Samora Machel and the 34 individuals who died during the plane crash in Mbuzini.

• Highlighting the role played by the people of Mozambique towards the liberation of South Africa and other countries in Southern Africa.

• Promoting resistance and liberation heritage as a vehicle for fostering social cohesion, nation building, economic development and inclusive citizenry.

• Raising awareness through the use of educational programmes, dialogues and public engagements on the significance of resistance and liberation heritage.

President Samora Machel passed away on the 19th of October 1986 in a plane crash travelling back to Mozambique from Zambia, where he attended a summit of Front-Line States Leaders to discuss issues of regional security.

The total number of fatalities in the crash was 35, inclusive of President Machel and 34 of his compatriots, including journalists and pilots.

The plane crash took place near the Mozambican border on South African soil in Mpumalanga.

President Machel spearheaded Mozambique’s struggle for liberation from Portuguese colonial rule. He was the first President of Mozambique following its independence in 1975. He provided support to liberation movements in Southern Africa, including the struggle against apartheid in South Africa 

The Mbuzini Anniversary is observed every five years under the leadership of the national government and annually under the leadership of the Mpumalanga provincial government. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.