Samora Machel Monument Explained

Monument Name:Samora Machel Monument
Location:Mbuzini, South Africa
Designer:José Forjaz
Complete:January 1999
Dedicated To:Samora Machel
Map Name:South Africa Mpumalanga#South Africa

The Samora Machel Monument in Mbuzini, near Komatipoort in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, marks the spot where the plane carrying the then-President of Mozambique crashed in 1986. It resulted in the death of President Machel and several Mozambican ministers. It was declared a National Heritage Site in 2006.[1]

The monument was inaugurated by Joaquim Chissano and Nelson Mandela on 19 January 1999. It was constructed at a cost of $240,000 and incorporates some of the wreckage of the plane. Its central feature is 35 tubes of steel, symbolising the number of lives lost in the air crash, that create a wailing sound in the wind.[2]

A planned R11.2 million upgrade was to add access roads, an amphitheater, a helipad and buildings.[3] In 2006 a nearby library with a collection of books in English and Portuguese was opened. A statue of Machel, donated by Norwegian anti-apartheid artists, was also erected at the site.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South Africans, Mozambicans urged to follow Machel's footsteps. BuaNews. 2009-03-24.
  2. Web site: Samora Machel monument inaugurated . SADC Today . 2009-03-24 . dead . https://archive.today/20130222012202/http://www.sardc.net/editorial/sadctoday/v2-5-01-1999/v2-5-01-1999-23.htm . 2013-02-22.
  3. Web site: Moz monument to cost SA R11.2m. News24. 2009-03-24.
  4. Web site: Remembering Samora Machel. SouthAfrica.info. 2009-03-24.