Mozambican activist Graça Machel intends to leave a lasting contribution to the preservation of the memory and thought of Samora Machel through the creation of a centre dedicated to Mozambique’s first president, 40 years after his death, the Lusa news agency reported on Thursday, 12 November.

According to the agency, the architectural project for the Samora Machel Centre was presented on Wednesday, 11 November, at the site where it will be built, next to Independence Square in Maputo. The initiative aims to promote the legacy of the former head of state and bring knowledge of his principles and ideas to new generations.

“I really want to leave something meaningful,” said Graça Machel, widow of Samora Machel, during the project presentation, explaining that she intends to transform the lessons of the past 40 years into a lasting contribution to the preservation of his memory.

She argued that the centre should provide a deeper understanding of the principles that guided Samora Machel, both in the exercise of leadership and in his personal life, while also stimulating reflection on the qualities required to lead.

“To be a leader, you are not the one who decides you are a leader. Someone has to say it, has to recognise in you the qualities of a leader,” she said, advocating for the recognition of different models of leadership.

Developing New Leadership

According to Graça Machel, the project aims to contribute to the development of new leaders — women and men alike — in the community, business, academic, cultural, and civic spheres, grounded in the principles of human dignity, equality, and inclusion.

“We want his thinking to continue to be useful to people and to Mozambique, to inspire new generations, awaken consciences, and challenge us to think critically about the society we have and the society we want to build,” she said.

Samora Machel was born on 29 September 1933 in Gaza province and worked as a nurse before joining the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) in 1963. Following the death of Eduardo Mondlane in 1969, he assumed leadership of the movement.

On 25 June 1975, he proclaimed national independence and became Mozambique’s first president. He died on 19 October 1986, when the presidential aircraft in which he was travelling crashed at Mbuzini, in South Africa, near the border with Mozambique.

Four decades after his death, the Samora Machel Centre aims to keep his legacy alive through the preservation of his memory, the dissemination of his thought, and reflection on the values associated with leadership.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=561312