Samora Machel

1st President of Mozambique (1933–1986)

Samora Moisés Machel (29 September 1933 – 19 October 1986) was a Mozambican military commander, politician and revolutionary. He served as the first President of Mozambique from the country's independence in 1975.

Samora Machel
1st President of Mozambique
In office
25 June 1975 – 19 October 1986
Succeeded byJoaquim Chissano
Chairman of the Mozambique Liberation Front
In office
1970 – 19 October 1986
Preceded byEduardo Mondlane
Succeeded byJoaquim Chissano
Personal details
Born
Samora Moisés Machel

(1933-09-29)September 29, 1933
Gaza Province, Portuguese Mozambique
DiedOctober 19, 1986(1986-10-19) (aged 53)
Mbuzini, Lebombo Mountains, South Africa
NationalityMozambican
Political partyMozambique Liberation Front
Spouse(s)Josina Mutemba
Graça Simbine (1975–1986)

Of 44 people on board, Machel and 33 others including several ministers, senior officials of the Mozambican government, a navigator, a radio operator and 6 of 7 crew member aboard (4 flight attendants and both pilots) were killed in a presidential aircraft crashed near the Mozambique-South Africa border while 9 passengers and a flight engineer survived.

Other websites

change