In a long and moving message posted on Facebook, the President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, pays a vibrant tribute to one of the most respected figures of Mozambican nationalism, Marcelino dos Santos. On this 20th of May 2023, the Mozambican icon would have turned 94, had death not taken him on 11 February 2020.
Marcelino dos Santos is remembered by Nyusi as a tireless defender of the spirit of Mozambican nationalism and of the fight against colonial oppression worldwide. The emotional tribute, full of reminiscences, portrays a remarkable figure who, in the diplomatic sphere, earned respect in several capitals around the world.
In the message, which appeals to the hearts of Mozambicans, Nyusi invokes "Kalungano", the name by which Marcelino dos Santos was affectionately known. The president recalls that "death will not condition our sincere tribute" to Santos and his invaluable contribution to awakening Mozambican awareness of the importance of freedom.
Nyusi's praise stresses the dedication of Santos, who spent his youth laying the sustainable foundations that led Mozambique to independence. This legacy is thus immortalised in the collective memory of the Mozambican people, who today more than ever need to recover the determination and strength that gave rise to it.
In the president's speech, Marcelino dos Santos is celebrated not only as the staunch nationalist, the poet of freedom, the diplomat of consensus and the leader focused on the people's problems, but above all as a man of unshakeable beliefs.
The Mozambican leader declares that Marcelino's death will not limit the tribute owed to the "common thread" of Mozambique's recent history. Santos, according to Nyusi, shines in the country's history, awakening a sense of patriotism, sacrifice, focus and determination, essential for achieving supreme goals for the benefit of the people.
Finally, Nyusi celebrates the life of Marcelino dos Santos, not his death. Today is a day to evoke Santos's selfless and disinterested sacrifice and all that he represented for Mozambique. The Mozambican people are thus invited to reflect on the legacy left by one of their great icons, in a celebration that evokes the memory of, and respect for, this leader's life.
