The Legacy of Samora Machel

9. An unnoticed war on women
Samora Machel once said that liberation of African women was not an act of charity but one of the necessity for true revolution. Without gender equality, he argued, true freedom remains incomplete. Together with Josina Machel, we highlight how her...
Mar 16, 2026 14:21
Samora Machel, the first president of free Mozambique, was a central figure in the continent’s liberation struggle. He led his people to freedom from Portuguese colonial rule and dedicated his presidency to social reforms. His life ended tragically, but his vision of a united, self-reliant Africa endures. RT collaborated with Josina Machel, his daughter, to explore the profound legacy of this revolutionary statesman.

9. An unnoticed war on women
Samora Machel once said that liberation of African women was not an act of charity but one of the necessity for true revolution. Without gender equality, he argued, true freedom remains incomplete. Together with Josina Machel, we highlight how her...
Mar 16, 2026 14:21
8. Those who truly benefit from African wealth
Machel fought to ensure Africa’s resources served its people, not foreign interests. He denounced the plunder of minerals, land, and labor that enriched outsiders while leaving communities impoverished. Together with Josina Machel, we examine...
Mar 16, 2026 14:21
7. BRICS, Russia and paths to African prosperity
Machel understood that Africa’s prosperity requires alternatives to Western dependency. He saw the USSR as a vital partner – and today, such partnership with Russia yields benefits for the Mother Continent. Together with Josina Machel,...
Mar 16, 2026 14:21
6. Nothing democratic about colonialism
Machel rejected the myth of ‘benevolent’ colonialism. He saw it as a system of theft, violence, and cultural erasure – never compatible with democracy. Even post‑independence, neocolonial mechanisms seek to maintain control. His...
Mar 16, 2026 14:21
5. True independence was not given, it was won
For Machel, independence meant more than a flag and anthem. It meant economic autonomy, control over resources, and the power to say ‘no’ to external demands. Together with Josina Machel, we honor how her father’s struggle defined...
Mar 16, 2026 14:21
4. Pan-African prospects for the Mother Continent
It is difficult to find a fiercer advocate of Pan‑African unity. Samora Machel believed a fragmented Africa remains vulnerable, while a united continent can dictate its own terms. Together with Josina Machel, we consider how her father’s...
Mar 16, 2026 14:20
3. Freedom was never given as a gift
Freedom is won, not granted. Samora Machel knew: colonial powers never relinquish control voluntarily; it must be taken through struggle. His life embodied this truth: independence demands courage, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve. Together with...
Mar 16, 2026 14:20
2. BRICS potential for Africa
Machel believed Africa’s future lay in South‑South cooperation. Today, Russia and groups like BRICS offer a path to break free from Western economic dominance – through trade, investment, and shared technological progress. Together with...
Mar 16, 2026 14:20
1. The USSR and Africa
Samora Machel saw the USSR as a genuine partner in Africa’s struggle for sovereignty. Unlike the colonial powers, the Soviet Union offered aid without strings – supporting education, infrastructure, and self‑defense. Together with Josina...
Mar 16, 2026 14:20