Mpumalanga marks 40th anniversary of Mbuzini tragedy

Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu joined Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and other dignitaries on Monday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Mbuzini tragedy, which claimed the lives of former Mozambican president Samora Machel and 34 other people.

The commemoration was held at the Samora Machel Monument and Museum in Mbuzini, near Komatipoort, where the aircraft carrying Machel crashed on 19 October 1986.

Among those attending were International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga and members of the Machel family, led by Graça Machel.

The event was jointly hosted by the South African and Mozambican governments, reaffirming the longstanding ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.

Ndlovu said the most meaningful way to honour Machel and his generation of African leaders was to translate their legacy into tangible improvements in people's lives.

“We must honour their legacy by fighting poverty, creating employment opportunities, improving access to quality education and healthcare, and ensuring that our people live with dignity,” he said.

The monument preserves the memory of those who died in the crash and serves as a symbol of the historic solidarity between South Africa and Mozambique.

The 40th anniversary provided an opportunity for both countries to reflect on Machel's legacy and renew their commitment to cooperation and development.