18 Facts About Josina Machel

Josina Abiathar Muthemba Machel was a leader of FRELIMO and a significant figure in the struggle for independence in Mozambique.

Josina Machel's father worked as a nurse in government hospitals and this required him to periodically move the family to accommodate his job transfers.

At age 7, Josina Machel entered the primary school Dom Joao de Castro in Mocimboa da Praia, a school for the children of Portuguese and assimilado families.

Two years later her father was transferred to the town of Joao Belo, and Josina Machel enrolled in Mouzinho de Albuquerque.

In 1958, now 13 years old, Josina Machel entered the commercial school Dr Azevedo e Silva to pursue accounting.

Five months later, in the month of her 19th birthday, Josina Machel was released from jail as a result of an international campaign carried out by FRELIMO.

Josina Machel resumed attending secondary school, but she was watched by police agents.

Four months afterwards Josina Machel fled Mozambique for a second time, again with a group of fellow students.

From this point, Josina Machel never saw any member of her family again.

Josina Machel began work at the Mozambique Institute, a residential education center for Mozambican students in Tanzania, as assistant to the director.

Josina Machel subsequently became one of 25 young women to go through three months of military training at Nachingwea in southern Tanzania where Mozambique liberation fighters received their military training for Mozambique guerrilla war.

Josina Machel plays a visionary role in identifying the need for child care centers to look after children who have been orphaned or separated from their families by the war.

In mid-1968 Josina Machel is named a delegate to the Second FRELIMO Congress where she is a strong advocate for the full inclusion of women within all aspects of the liberation struggle.

Josina Machel is then appointed head of the Women's Section in FRELIMO's Department of International Relations.

Josina Machel is appointed head of FRELIMO's Department of Social Affairs where she actively develops child care and educational centers in northern Mozambique and advocates with local populations for the importance of sending girls to school.

In March 1971 Josina Machel traveled again, this time to Cabo Delgado, to evaluate social programs being implemented there.

Josina Machel was taken to Muhimbili Hospital and died on April 7,1971, at the age of 25 years.

Josina Machel was buried in Kinondoni Cemetery where her uncle Mateus Muthemba, who was assassinated by Portuguese agents in 1968, is interred.