International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has called on South Africa and Mozambique to honour the legacy of former Mozambican President Samora Machel by advancing economic freedom, regional integration, peace and development, as the two countries commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Mbuzini tragedy.
Addressing the commemoration at the Mbuzini Crash Site in Mpumalanga on Monday, Lamola said the tragedy remained one of the most painful chapters in Southern Africa’s liberation history and a symbol of the shared sacrifices that brought the region closer to freedom.
“Today, forty years after the tragedy, we gather here to renew that pledge,” Lamola said.
Machel, a prominent liberation struggle leader and founding President of independent Mozambique, died on 19 October 1986 when the aircraft carrying him and members of his delegation crashed in the Lebombo Mountains near Mbuzini, close to South Africa’s border with Mozambique and Eswatini.
Thirty-four other people, including Cuban doctors and the ambassadors of Zambia and Zaire, also perished in the crash.
Machel had been returning from a regional summit focused on peace, stability and development in Southern Africa.
The tragedy occurred during apartheid, when Mozambique and other Frontline States supported South Africa’s liberation struggle despite facing significant political, economic and security consequences for their opposition to the apartheid regime.
The Samora Machel Memorial was unveiled in 1999 by former President Nelson Mandela to honour those who died and commemorate the solidarity between the peoples of Southern Africa.
Lamola said the memorial served as a reminder of the cost of freedom and the need to guard against attempts to romanticise apartheid and colonialism.
“We honour the legacy of President Machel and memorialise all those who perished alongside him. We also celebrate the ideals they championed: freedom, human dignity, solidarity and the right of all people to determine their own future,” he said.
The commemoration was attended by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, First Lady Mrs Chapo, Mama Graça Machel, survivors of the crash and families of those who died alongside government leaders and representatives from both countries.
Advancing the unfinished work of liberation
Lamola said while Africa had overcome formal colonialism and minority rule, the struggle for freedom remained incomplete as many people continued to experience poverty, inequality, unemployment and exclusion.
He called for greater efforts to build local economies, create jobs, improve service delivery and expand opportunities for young people.
“This is the unfinished task of our generation. It is also the most meaningful way we can honour the legacy of Samora Machel and all who dedicated their lives to the cause of freedom,” he said.
The Minister outlined priorities for South Africa and Mozambique, including accelerating regional integration through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area, promoting local manufacturing and beneficiation, strengthening food security, investing in education and skills development, and advancing peace and security.
He highlighted the close economic ties between the two countries, noting that more than 2 500 commercial trucks travel along the Maputo Corridor daily, transporting goods between the countries and to other markets.
Mozambique is South Africa’s largest trading partner on the African continent, while approximately 300 South African companies operate in Mozambique, supporting more than 40 000 jobs, Lamola said.
He also called for stronger cooperation in responding to climate-related disasters, addressing cross-border crime and resolving conflicts through dialogue and mediation.
Violence against migrants condemned
Lamola also condemned violence, intimidation and displacement directed at migrants, stressing that there could be no justification for attacks against fellow Africans.
“We reiterate that there is no justification for the violence, displacement and intimidation of fellow Africans,” he said.
He acknowledged public concerns about undocumented migration and corruption at ports of entry, while emphasising that the enforcement of immigration laws must be consistent with human rights, dignity and non-discrimination.
The Minister further highlighted the need to intensify efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide, describing gender equality and women’s participation in political and economic life as central to the region’s development.
He said Machel’s belief in women’s emancipation remained relevant, particularly as violence against women continued to affect communities across the SADC region.
Preserving a shared legacy
Lamola said South Africa and Mozambique had a responsibility to ensure that younger generations understood the sacrifices that made their freedom possible.
He recalled the pledge made after Machel’s death that the monument at Mbuzini would symbolise the common suffering of Southern Africa’s people and affirm their shared destiny of liberty, peace and social progress.
“The task of our generation is to give concrete meaning to the vision they championed. An Africa that is united, peaceful and prosperous, where every person can live with dignity and fulfil their potential,” Lamola said.
He said advancing that vision would be the most meaningful tribute to Machel and all those who lost their lives in the tragedy. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.
