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Mozambique: Dynamizing the People

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

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Extract

On June 25, 1975, following ten years of armed struggle by the Mozambican people against Portuguese colonialism, the People’s Republic of Mozambique was born. Led by the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which was formed out of the merger of three nationalist organizations in 1962, the Mozambican people had seen many social, political, and economic changes come to the liberated areas in northern Mozambique long before the formal declaration of national independence. FRELIMO, even during the struggle, had begun to confront the legacy of over 400 years of Portuguese colonialism and systematic exploitation and underdevelopment of Mozambique’s human and natural resources.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1978 

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References

Notes

1. For a description of the educational legacy of Portuguese colonialism and the new educational directions being undertaken by the People’s Republic of Mozambique, see Carole Collins, “Education for the People,” in Southern Africa, June-July 1977, Pp. 21-23.

2. For a general description of Mozambican efforts at national reconstruction in the first two years of independence, see Allen Isaacman, “Mozambique’s Two Years On Its Own,” in In These Times, January 4-10, 1978. For an explanation of FRELIMO’s differences from traditional nationalist movements, see John Saul’s article on Mozambique in the September 1973 issue of Monthly Review.

3. For an excellent documentary film on these and other institutions in the liberated areas of Mozambique, see Bob Van Leirop’s A Luta Continua (distributed and produced by Africa Information Service, 1974). Also, see Jennifer Davis, Building Independence: A Report on a Recent Visit (4 pp.; Africa Fund, 1977), for a report on the organization of health and other institutions in the liberated areas.

4. See Establishing People’s Power to Serve the Masses by Samora Machel (Toronto Committee for the Liberation of Southern Africa, 1976, 48 pp.) for a detailed discussion of FRELIMO’s approach to mobilizing the Mozambican population and on the necessity of democratic participation and decision-making in the context of that mobilization.

5. See Mozambican Information Agency (AIM) Information Bulletin for September 1977. The AIM Information Bulletins (in English) along with issues of the weekly Tempo (in Portuguese) are invaluable sources of information on the current period of national reconstruction in the People’s Republic of Mozambique.

6. Interview with Rodrigues Mondlana, responsavel of the Soveste clothing factory (Maputo), 15 August 1977, by Prof. Allen Isaacman, University of Minnesota.

7. See Collins, Carole, “FRELIMO Goes to Factories to Lay Socialist Foundations,” in Guardian (New York), July 13, 1977, p.13.Google Scholar

8. Isaacman interview with Manuel Armando Machay, responsavel for Production at the District Level (Gaza), 21 August 1977.

9. Isaacman interview with Francis Sumaili, administrator of Chibudu, 22 August 1977.

10. Group interview by Isaacman at Aldeia Communal 25 de Setembro in Nampula, 27 August 1977.

11. Isaacman interview with Vasco and Elias Cubai of the Cooperativa Agricola Heroi Mozambicana, 22 August 1977.

12. Isaacman interview with Irene Tivane on 22 August 1977.

13. See Collins, Carole, “Mozambique’s Revolution Advances,” in Guardian (New York), July 6, 1977, p. 14.Google Scholar

14. See Isaacman interview with members of the Consumer Cooperative of Polana, 10 August 1977.

15. See Isaacman interview with Sarifa Amati on August 21, 1977.

16. Interview by Carole Collins with workers of Fabrico Counhos, March 1977.

17. See Isaacman interview with Rodrigues Mondlana of Soveste clothing factory (Maputo), 15 August 1977.

18. See Michael T. Kaufman, “Mozambique Seems to Have Gained Discipline Without the Martial Air,” in the New York Times, Saturday, November 12, 1977, p. Iff.