Navigation
Script from JavaScript Kit
MBUZINI
The Death of Samora Machel
19 October 1986
Dossier MZ-0017
Regional and Worldwide Reactions
to the Disaster at Mbuzini, 1986-1987
The worldwide reaction to the news of the disaster at Mbuzini and the death of Samora Machel was shock, dismay, and in many places, palpable anger. Anger was especially noticable in neighbouring countries in southern Africa, where Samora’s reputation as a leader during the freedom struggle, his commitment to the total liberation of the African continent, and his lively style of oratory had made him a widely respected, popular and indeed heroic figure. In Zimbabwe, students marched in protest and broke some windows at US and other consular and diplomatic offices. They were duly dispersed by the riot police. A few white Zimbabweans made foolish and inappropriate celebratory comments and quickly faced the wrath of the state.
Above: Anxious Zimbabweans queuing for copies of the morning newspaper, central Harare, morning of 20 October 1986.
Messages of solidarity and grief poured in; politicians made speeches, musicians composed and played songs, poets wrote indifferent verse and playwrights and actors presented theatre pieces to express their sense of loss and their outrage. Ian Smith, the old foe, saluted Machel for his courage. P. W. Botha, the current foe, described Machel as one of the ‘great leaders of Africa’ and expressed his ‘deep regret and shock’. His wife, and the wife of Pik Botha, sent their condolences to Graça Machel. Winnie Mandela sent a much more personal, and undoubtedly more heartfelt message on behalf of herself and Nelson Mandela, who was still in a South African prison cell at the time. Margaret Thatcher, with whom Machel seems to have had a genuine rapport, sent her condolences.
Paulo Oliveira, the Lisbon spokesperson of Renamo, the MNR, the «armed bandits», announced that the struggle against the government would continue. He described Machel as ‘the main obstacle to peace’ and commented that the end of the conflict was brought closer by Machel’s death. This was dismissed in a Zimbabwean editorial as a pathetic misreading of the public mood.
Much, much later – twenty years in fact – the Zimbabwean journalist Geoff Nyarota, a former editor of the Bulawayo Chronicle, caused a minor stir when he alleged that Mugabe may have been pleased when Machel was killed. In a book published in 2006 – Against the Grain: Memoirs of a Zimbabwean Newsman (Cape Town: Zebra Press), page 121 – Nyarota writes that Mugabe hated Machel, and had commented after Mbuzini, «Good for him, good for us». But Nyarota didn’t hear this remark himself, he is quoting from the Swedish journalist Per Wästberg, who is in turn repeating something Sally Mugabe told him. Even so, Canal de Moçambique ran the story on 11 December 2006 under the headline «Robert Mugabe sentiu satisfação pela morte de Samora Machel».
Below, MHN lists contemporary sources describing some of these immediate reactions to the news.
MHN Resources
◊ 20 October 1986
Death shocks Muzenda. Herald [Harare] (20 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 62 kb. Reaction of acting Zimbabwean prime minister Simon Muzenda.
◊ 20 October 1986
Machel our closest ally. Herald [Harare] (20 October 1986), p.2. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 598 kb.
◊ 20 October 1986
Pretória impede manifestações por Samora. Notícias [Maputo] (20 October 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 73 kb. Religious services in homage to Samora are banned in South Africa.
◊ 20 October 1986
African National Congress. Statement of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress on the death of Comrade President Samora Machel. Lusaka] (20 October 1986), 1 page. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 119 kb.
◊ 21 October 1986
Aluta [sic] continua! New Nation [Johannesburg] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 67 kb. Editorial.
◊ 21 October 1986
ANC statement on Machel’s death: suspicion of Pretoria’s full responsibility. PANA dispatch from Dakar on 21 October 1986, reprinted in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 104 kb.
◊ 21 October 1986
Comment: Machel’s death. Citizen [Johannesburg] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 77 kb. Editorial.
◊ 21 October 1986
Demos in Harare over Machel’s death: S African, Malawian premises attacked. Reports dated 21 October 1986 from the ZBC and SAPA on the violent public reaction to the Mbuzini disaster in Zimbabwe, reprinted in Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 130 kb.
Above: Zimbabwean students protesting Samora’s death along Second Street in Harare being dispersed by police with tear gas. The disaster brought thinly-veiled racial tensions to the surface in Zimbabwe, with some whites arrested and prosecuted for making celebratory comments.
◊ 21 October 1986
Leaders send sympathy messages. Herald [Harare] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 995 kb.
◊ 21 October 1986
MNR vow to pursue offensive. Citizen [Johannesburg] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 242 kb. A report from Lisbon.
◊ 21 October 1986
No-one can foretell the consequences. Citizen [Johannesburg] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 35 kb. NGK leaders pray that Mbuzini will ‘not lead to further disasters in the [southern African] region’.
◊ 21 October 1986
PW expresses deep regret and shock. Citizen [Johannesburg] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 163 kb. South African State President P. W. Botha reacts to news of the disaster.
◊ 21 October 1986
S African comment on Mozambique after Machel. An SABC commentary broadcast on 21 October 1986 and printed by the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 103 kb.
◊ 21 October 1986
A shiver in southern Africa. New York Times [New York] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 81 kb. Describes Machel as a ‘political realist who more than once advanced the cause of stability in [southern Africa]’.
◊ 21 October 1986
Thatcher praises efforts for peace. Citizen [Johannesburg] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 41 kb. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sends a message of condolences to the Mozambican government.
◊ 21 October 1986
Zimbabweans shocked by death. Herald [Harare] (21 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 60 kb.
◊ 22 October 1986
Africa without Machel. International Herald Tribune [Paris] (22 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 51 kb. Lead editorial.
◊ 22 October 1986
Buthelezi calls on S Africa to stop escalation of tension with Mozambique. SAPA report dated 22 October 1986 reproduced in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London] (). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 28 kb.
◊ 22 October 1986
Harare demo. Herald [Harare] (22 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 546 kb. An editorial comment describes the demonstrations on 21 October as having been evoked by ‘understandable outrage’ at Samora’s death.
◊ 22 October 1986
Mengistu says Machel died at the hands of his enemies. Radio report from Addis Ababa on 22 October 1986 published in Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 50 kb.
◊ 22 October 1986
Mozambican officials receive Zambian and Angolan ministers. Broadcast in Portuguese by Radio Mozambique on 22 October 1986, reported in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 56 kb.
◊ 22 October 1986
Student demo turns sour as violence hits Harare. Herald [Harare] (22 October 1986), p.1, 7. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 402 kb. Includes a box, «Don’t take law into own hands», reporting that Maurice Nyagumbo of ZANU-PF had warned that further violence would be dealt with ‘firmly and to the full extent of the law’.
◊ 22 October 1986
World’s shock over tragic death. Herald [Harare] (22 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 590 kb.
◊ 22 October 1986
Youths protest nationwide. Herald [Harare] (22 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 46 kb. Reports of demonstrations in protest at the Mbuzini disaster in Bindura, Marondera and Gweru.
◊ 22 October 1986
ZCTU mourns death of loyal patriot Machel. Herald [Harare] (22 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 59 kb. Statement by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions on the Mbuzini disaster.
◊ 22 October 1986
Sheila Rule. Diplomatic offices attacked in Harare in protest over Mozambican’s death. International Herald Tribune [Paris] (22 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 65 kb. Rioting Zimbabwean youths attack South African, US and Malawian diplomatic premises in emotional protests on 21 October, over the Mbuzini disaster.
◊ 22 October 1986
Sheila Rule. Machel’s death sets off a riot in Zimbabwe. New York Times [New York] (22 October 1986), p.A17. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 49 kb.
◊ 23 October 1986
Death leaves great void - Makoni. Herald [Harare] (23 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 29 kb. Statement by the SADCC Executive Secretary, Simba Makoni.
◊ 23 October 1986
The death of Samora Machel: further reaction, MNR announcement. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8397 (23 October 1986), p.ii. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 37 kb.
◊ 23 October 1986
Friendship bond can only grow. Herald [Harare] (23 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 39 kb. Lt.-Col. Clemence Gaza of ZIMOFA comments on the air crash.
◊ 23 October 1986
Minister defends police demo tactics. Herald [Harare] (23 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 42 kb. Nathan Shamuyarira says the violence by students was ‘precipitated by remarks by certain whites’.
◊ 23 October 1986
Nigerian high commissioner hails Machel. Herald [Harare] (23 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 177 kb.
◊ 23 October 1986
Peaceful student protests honour great leader. Herald [Harare] (23 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 109 kb. Several hundred students from Harare Polytechnic demonstrated in memory of Samora Machel, watched by riot police.
◊ 23 October 1986
UZ talks on Machel’s life, death. Herald [Harare] (23 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 40 kb. Chakanyuka Karase says that a two-day series of lectures is being organised by the University of Zimbabwe ‘to ensure that his death would not go unnoticed’.
◊ 24 October 1986
Gas, batons after Machel meeting. Cape Times [Cape Town] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 229 kb. A meeting at the University of the Witwatersrand was addressed by Albertina Sisulu, Aubrey Mokoena and Frank Chikane; afterwards, students were baton-charged and tear-gassed by police.
◊ 24 October 1986
Minute’s silence in Russia. Citizen [Johannesburg] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 393 kb. Mikhail Gorbachev leads a minute’s silence in honour of Machel and his entourage.
◊ 24 October 1986
Samora Machel. The Leader [Durban] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 203 kb. Recognises that Samora was a ‘respected and popular leader’.
◊ 24 October 1986
Sport cancelled during mourning. Herald [Harare] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 67 kb. All sporting events in Zimbabwe have been postponed during the period of mourning for Machel.
◊ 24 October 1986-30 October 1986
Clashes at Wits memorial. Weekly Mail [Johannesburg] (24 October 1986-30 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 210 kb. Riot police clashed with students at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg after a memorial service for Samora Machel.
◊ 24 October 1986-30 October 1986
Howard Barrell. Harare: fears about M’bique security. Weekly Mail [Johannesburg] (24 October 1986-30 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 285 kb. Article argues that Samora’s death, alongside that of Alcântara Santos, has thrown SADCC plans for trade route alternatives into disarray.
◊ 25 October 1986
Teachers mourn Machel’s death. Herald [Harare] (25 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 347 kb. With a photograph of weeping women.
◊ 26 October 1986
COSATU mourns. City Press [Johannesburg] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 93 kb. Announcement that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is to hold a memorial service at Cosatu House in Johannesburg, to coincide with the funeral in Maputo.
◊ 26 October 1986
Mocker arrested. Sunday Mail [Harare] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 469 kb. Vincent Joseph appeared in court after stating that ‘One black leader is gone, and plenty more will soon be eliminated.’ He was remanded until 7 November for sentencing.
◊ 26 October 1986
Samora Machel. City Press [Johannesburg] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 88 kb. An article summarising recent developments, such as the establishment of a Mozambican commission to investigate the disaster.
◊ 26 October 1986
Samora Machel, marching into history: there’s no lifeline. City Press [Johannesburg] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 604 kb.
◊ 26 October 1986
Samora’s death a unity lesson. Sunday Mail [Harare] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 70 kb. Mugabe says that Machel’s death is a lesson in unity for Zimbabweans.
◊ 26 October 1986
Zimbabweans to honour Machel at major rally. Sunday Mail [Harare] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 150 kb. A major rally is to be held at Rufaro Stadium in Harare as part of Zimbabwe’s national mourning for Samora.
◊ 26 October 1986
David Allen. Numbed, devastated by death of Machel. Sunday Star [Review] [Johannesburg] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 69 kb. Comments that the ‘black press’ has already decided that Machel’s death is a disaster.
Above: the front page of the weekly Domingo, then edited by the Mozambican novelist and essayist Mia Couto, for Sunday 26 October 1986, a week after the disaster. The caption reads «Força de viver de quem não morre».
◊ 26 October 1986
Lupi N. Gararirimo. Machel, you were a peak. Sunday Mail [Harare] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 39 kb. A poem.
◊ 27 October 1986
40,000 Zimbabweans mourn Machel. Herald [Harare] (27 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 97 kb.
◊ 27 October 1986
Schoolboy beaten for taking part in demonstration. Herald [Harare] (27 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 55 kb.
◊ 28 October 1986
Four held for assaults. Herald [Harare] (28 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 24 kb. Four white Zimbabweans were arrested following violent incidents at the Mount Pleasant shopping centre on Tuesday 21 October.
◊ 28 October 1986
Harare services. Herald [Harare] (28 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 473 kb. President Canaan Banana is to conduct a religious service at the National Sports Centre in memory of Samora Machel.
◊ 28 October 1986
Patricia Zavahir. Sri Lankan tribute to Samora Machel. Herald [Harare] (28 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 46 kb. Letter to the editor signed by Patricia Zavahir.
◊ 29 October 1986
Mandelas send condolences. Herald [Harare] (29 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 62 kb. Includes the English text of the message expressing their condolences, from the Mandelas to the people and government of Mozambique.
◊ 29 October 1986
Tanzanians weep. Herald [Harare] (29 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 25 kb. Solemn march in Dar es Salaam, the ‘silence broken only by the women’s wailing’.
◊ 29 October 1986
Julie Frederikse. Sorrow over Machel’s death turns to anger. Guardian [New York] (29 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 158 kb. Reports on the ‘volatile mood’ in Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the disaster at Mbuzini.
◊ 30 October 1986
Cowardly boast. Herald [Harare] (30 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 518 kb. Editorial reacting to MNR statements from Lisbon to the effect that with Samora gone, the MNR would be able to seize power easily. This is described as a ‘pathetic judgement’ that fails to take into consideration the ‘will of the Mozambican people themselves’.
◊ 30 October 1986
SWAPO pledges intensification of struggle after Machel’s death. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8403 (30 October 1986), p.B/8. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 31 kb.
◊ 30 October 1986
SWAPO to fight for Machel. Herald [Harare] (30 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 2.1 Mb. SWAPO pledges to intensify the struggle for the liberation of Namibia in homage to the memory of Samora Machel, a task it describes as a ‘sacred duty’.
◊ 31 October 1986
Kenneth Kaunda. Kaunda’s tribute to Machel. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8404 (31 October 1986), p.B/1-B/2. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 143 kb. Kaunda was speaking in his capacity as chairperson of the Frontline States at a summit in Maputo on 29 October, the day after the funeral.
◊ 31 October 1986-6 November 1986
Howard Barrell. In Harare, talk of a second Vietnam. Weekly Mail [Johannesburg] (31 October 1986-6 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 835 kb. Warns of the possibility of a drift towards generalised war across southern Africa, which could end up resembling Indochina in the 1960s and 1970s.
◊ November 1986
Rob Davies. Mozambique and South Africa: death of a president. Work in Progress [Johannesburg] no.45 (November 1986), p.3-9. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 1.7 Mb. At this time, Davies was a researcher at the Centro de Estudos Africanos, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo.
◊ 1 November 1986
Court told of Machel death jibes. Herald [Harare] (1 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 483 kb. A Portuguese man is prosecuted under an unspecified section of the Miscellaneous Offences Act for allegedly celebrating the death of President Machel.
◊ 3 November 1986
Memorial for Machel. West Africa [London] (3 November 1986), p.2337. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 84 kb. Photograph of Andimba Toivo ja Toivo of SWAPO speaking at a memorial evening in London on 25 October. Also present were Abdul Minty, Basil Davidson, Reg September, Polly Gaster and Tony Gifford.
◊ 3 November 1986
Songs will honour Machel. Herald [Harare] (3 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 461 kb. Marijani Rajabu and other Tanzanian musicians are to compose praise songs for Samora.
◊ 5 November 1986
Cultural festival to honour Machel. Herald [Harare] (5 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 35 kb. A cultural event is being organised by the Association of Community Theatres in Harare.
◊ 5 November 1986
Machel’s tragic death to be discussed by MPs. Herald [Harare] (5 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 62 kb.
◊ 5 November 1986
Minister calms Maputo demo. Herald [Harare] (5 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 54 kb. Sérgio Vieira helped to calm a crowd of Mozambican youths in Maputo after they had attacked the Malawi Embassy and were heading for the South African Trade Mission, famously telling the crowd that breaking windows is not a revolutionary act.
◊ 5 November 1986
Response to Machel’s death ends in court. Herald [Harare] (5 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 34 kb.
◊ 7 November 1986
MPs grieve over death of Machel. Herald [Harare] (7 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 39 kb. Rudo Mungwashu, MP for Murewa North, wept as she paid tribute to Machel as the Assembly debated a motion deploring the Mbuzini disaster.
◊ 9 November 1986
Hundreds pay Machel tribute in poem, song. Herald [Harare] (9 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 493 kb.
◊ 12 November 1986
Smith praises Samora Machel for his courage. Herald [Harare] (12 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 59 kb. Ian Smith, former leader of the white minority Rhodesian regime after UDI, speaking in the Assembly, praised Machel for his courage and his willingness to take unpopular but necessary decisions.
◊ 12 November 1986
Zvobgo call for Hansard on Machel. Herald [Harare] (12 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 482 kb. Eddison Zvobgo, Leader of the House, asked for the debate on the motion of condolences to be printed as a special issue of Hansard.
◊ 13 November 1986
Fighters hail Machel. Herald [Harare] (13 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 29 kb. Reports a special ceremony of homage by members of the Destacamento Feminino of Frelimo.
◊ 20 November 1986
Andrew Meldrum. Machel death fuels Harare racism. Guardian [London] (20 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 765 kb. In broad terms, Machel’s death split Zimbabweans along racial lines, with whites celebrating and blacks plunged into mourning.
◊ 23 November 1986
Oliver Tendai. A song to Samora Machel. Sunday Mail [Harare] (23 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 467 kb. Proposes that Zimbabwean musicians should compose a song eulogising Samora Machel.
◊ 29 November 1986
Machel’s death a bitter lesson for Africa. Herald [Harare] (29 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 645 kb. Remarks by Brigadier Hashim Mbita of the OAU Liberation Committee.
◊ 1 December 1986
Shock over Machel’s death. West Africa [London] (1 December 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 50 kb.
◊ 4 March 1987
Tribute to Machel paid by Senate. Herald [Harare] (4 March 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 51 kb.
◊ 12 March 1987
Machel tribute. Herald [Harare] (12 March 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 550 kb.
◊ 30 March 1987
Tribute to Machel. Herald [Harare] (30 March 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 26 kb.
◊ 20 July 1987
Machel tragedy prompts play. Herald [Harare] (20 July 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 480 kb. Theatre group Zambuko-Izibuko is to produce a play called Samora Continua.
◊ 7 October 1987
Através do seu parlamento, Zimbabwe rende homenagem a Samora: moção de condolências e simpatia entregue à Assembleia Popular, delegação zimbabweana regressou ainda ontem ao seu país. Notícias [Maputo] (7 October 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 461 kb.
◊ 19 October 1987
John Morrison. Mwaka mmoja baada ya kifo cha Samora [One year since the death of Samora]. Uhuru [Dar es Salaam] (19 October 1987), p.7. In Kiswahili. Click here to download a PDF file, size 755 kb.