Ninety-one years ago, on September 29, 1933, Samora Moisés Machel, a towering figure in African history, was born in the small village of Xilembene in Mozambique. His life and legacy would go on to shape not only his nation but also the struggle for independence across Southern Africa.

Machel, who later became the first President of Mozambique, was a revolutionary leader known for his fierce dedication to the liberation of his people from colonial rule. As a commander of FRELIMO (the Mozambique Liberation Front), he led the country to independence from Portuguese colonialism in 1975 after years of armed struggle. Machel’s leadership extended beyond Mozambique’s borders, as he supported anti-colonial and anti-apartheid movements in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Although his life was tragically cut short in a plane crash in 1986, Machel’s influence endures. His legacy lives on in the values of self-determination, freedom, and unity that continue to inspire generations of Africans. Today, as we reflect on his life 91 years after his birth, Samora Machel remains a symbol of resistance and hope for a free and united Africa.