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Lamola urges South Africa and Mozambique to honour Machel legacy

Published

Speaking at the 40th anniversary of the Mbuzini tragedy in Mpumalanga on Monday, Minister Ronald Lamola asked both countries to advance economic freedom, regional integration, peace and development. He also condemned violence against migrants.

Lamola is the International Relations and Cooperation Minister. He spoke at the crash site where Mozambican President Samora Machel died in 1986. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Graça Machel attended the commemoration.

Lamola said: "We reiterate that there is no justification for the violence, displacement and intimidation of fellow Africans," He also said the struggle for freedom remains incomplete because many people still live with poverty, inequality, unemployment and exclusion.

He said Mozambique is South Africa's largest trading partner on the African continent. Lamola said 2 500 commercial trucks travel along the Maputo Corridor daily. He said approximately 300 South African companies operate in Mozambique and support more than 40 000 jobs.

Machel died with 34 other people in the crash. Nelson Mandela unveiled the Samora Machel Memorial in 1999.

Key facts

Who
Ronald Lamola (International Relations and Cooperation Minister); Samora Machel (former Mozambican President who died in the 1986 crash (commemorated)); Daniel Chapo (Mozambican President, attended the commemoration); Graça Machel (attended the commemoration (referred to as Mama Graça Machel))
What
Lamola, addressing the 40th anniversary commemoration of the 1986 Mbuzini air crash that killed Mozambican President Samora Machel, urged both countries to advance economic freedom, regional integration, peace and development, and condemned violence against migrants.
When
19 October 2026
Where
Mbuzini, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Status
Reported

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