Late President Samora Machel, Mozambique. Source: Twitter

Home » Samora Machel 30th Anniversary A Reminder South Africa’s Freedom Didn’t Come Easy

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 […]

By SAPeople Contributor
17-10-16 12:41
in Events
Late President Samora Machel, Mozambique. Source: Twitter

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.

Late President Samora Machel, Mozambique. Source: Twitter
Late President Samora Machel, Mozambique. Source: Twitter

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.