South Africa to host 35th commemoration event of President Samora Machel

The Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mozambique will jointly host a ceremony to honour the late Former President of the Republic of Mozambique, Samora Machel. This year, 2021, marks the 35th anniversary since the passing of President Samora Machel. The ceremony will take place at the accident site in Mbuzini, with government leaders from both Mozambique and South Africa scheduled to attend.

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi are scheduled to speak at the occasion and lay wreaths.

The Commemorative event serves as a reminder to honour and express appreciation to those who gave their lives to guarantee that South African countries attained their freedom and democracy that are enjoyed by many today. President Samora Machel’s regime was instrumental in the independence of South Africa and several other South African Development Community (SADC) countries. Those who assisted in the Liberation of South Africa, they wholeheartedly embraced South African liberation warriors fighting to destroy the apartheid regime.

President Machel’s support, together with his resistance to the apartheid administration, resulted in him being targeted by South Africa’s apartheid security operatives.

The late Mozambican President and his compatriots died when their plane, Tupolev TU 134A-3, crashed in the Lebombo Mountains in 1986, on his way back from a Summit in Lusaka, Zambia with African leaders.

The accident is thought to have been caused by the South Africa apartheid regime, although no convincing proof has been presented to confirm this.

Source: Government of South Africa