HERMAN MASHABA BLASTS SAMORA MACHEL, THE FORMER MOZAMBICAN PRESIDENT WHO SUPPORTED SOUTH AFRICA’S LIBERATION STRUGGLE AGAINST APARTHEID — MACHEL DIED IN A 1986 PLANE CRASH WIDELY LINKED TO THE APARTHEID-ERA SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT, SPARKING A FRESH POLITICAL CLASH OVER HIS LEGACY!
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has triggered a heated political debate after making controversial remarks about former Mozambican president Samora Machel, whose government supported the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Mashaba argued that Machel was the president of Mozambique, not South Africa, and that while his sacrifices should be honoured in his own country, South Africans should not be pressured into commemorating him.
His comments have drawn strong criticism, particularly because Mozambique was one of the frontline states that supported liberation movements fighting against apartheid.
🇿🇦 Machel played an important role in supporting the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid efforts. His government’s support came at a cost, as Mozambique faced serious pressure and attacks from the apartheid-era South African government.
In October 1986, Machel died when his presidential aircraft crashed in the Lebombo Mountains near the South African border while returning from a meeting in Zambia. The crash became one of the most controversial events of the apartheid era. Evidence and investigations have implicated the apartheid government, although the full circumstances and responsibility for the crash have remained the subject of historical and political dispute.
Machel’s daughter, Josina Machel, has stressed the importance of preserving her father’s memory, particularly as the 40th anniversary of his death is commemorated.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola also strongly criticised Mashaba’s remarks. Lamola argued that Machel died while returning from discussions about the liberation of oppressed people in South Africa and elsewhere, and reminded South Africans that their freedom was supported by people and countries beyond their borders.
The disagreement has reopened an important question about history: should South Africa remember only those who fought within its borders, or should it also recognise the sacrifices made by neighbouring African countries that supported the struggle against apartheid?
💬 SOUTH AFRICANS, WHAT IS YOUR VIEW? WAS HERMAN MASHABA RIGHT TO SAY THAT SAMORA MACHEL WAS MOZAMBIQUE’S PRESIDENT AND SHOULD BE HONOURED THERE, OR SHOULD SOUTH AFRICA ALSO RECOGNISE THE SACRIFICES HE AND THE MOZAMBICAN PEOPLE MADE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST APARTHEID?