Reawakening Africans take 4: Mozambique enhanced my voice

Traveling broadens my worldview and enriches my perspective. Traveling develops my analytical mind and enhances my ability to think critically. Every country I visit I learn so much about the culture, heritage and democracy. I observe and immerse myself to encounter the truth. This journey is one that requires an open mind and heart.

My perception of Mozambique is my personal observation. The views that I share about Mozambique are not meant to shame the country. Rather, I am solely here to persuade you to travel on the African continent. 

The journey 

Taking precautionary measures is part of the traveling story. Fortunately, Mozitec had to be a friend to me for close to two weeks. I don’t like medication however, I had to comply because Malaria is a disease. According to the Global Fund (2023) ‘’Malaria is an extremely climate -sensitive disease. With the increase in cases, deaths are seen after extreme weather events around the world’’. There is a need now more than ever to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. The mitigation of the health impacts will need a story on its own, now back to Mozambique.

The land

Mozambique borders on South Africa and the Kingdom of eSwatini to the south. Zimbabwe to the west and Zambia and Malawi in the northwest. Mozambique is not Maputo. Inhambane province was the final destination. Well, Morrungulo to be exact, the beach-fringed bay with stunning views of the camping site. A breath of fresh air and humidity at the center. What a warm welcome to a beautiful country. 

Greenery from the Komatipoort border is what caught my eye. My eyes scanned to the left and to the right more greenery. I was not looking for anything specific by the way but everything was green. I immersed myself in the greenery. There was something about the greenery that reminded me of rural Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa. Only this time I could sense that there is more than what meets the eye.

I touched the soil with my hands. I stood barefoot on the soil. With my hands spread out wide, I embraced the scorching sun on my face. I felt alive and it felt good to inhale Mozambique air. I hopped back onto the bus to mentally prepare for the thirteen hour bus ride that was ahead of me. Yes, thirteen hours from Komatipoort to Inhambane. I packed my books in my bag with the hope of reading. I was overjoyed because I would be spending time offline and that meant connecting with nature. But first, I had to take a nap.

The nap that was meant to revive me was unsuccessful because every time I dozed off the bumpy roads woke me up. Pothole after pothole and every corner we were met by potholes. After some time on the road the potholes began becoming deeper. The deeper that has the potential of causing harmful accidents.

I further observed the surroundings and noticed that the infrastructure was mostly incomplete. It was either houses or buildings with no roofs or windows. If not just buildings that were left incomplete. School buildings looked so small like the size of small church buildings in South Africa. I was taken aback by the few learners that went to school and others roaming the streets. 

Only to make a discovery that there are learners that attend their classes in the morning and others in the afternoon. This is because the school buildings don’t have the capacity for a bigger group of learners. The disheartening aspect of the ‘’school child’’ was to bear witness to teenage boys marching with weapons and being led by soldiers in the middle of the night. Trust me, the thirteen hour drive and the stops were worth it.

The people 

Mozambique offers a fascinating blend of cultures. For centuries it has been the home of Tsonga and absorbed into Bantu society. However, in my case ‘’Portuguese only’’ was the order of my stay in Mozambique. I was looking forward to being enticed by Ndau, Nyanja and many more local languages. Instead, the interactions were less and my sight heightened. 

A call remember Mozambique 

Based on my observations and encounter with Mozambique the rich resources and cultural heritage speak of the need for revival. The bustling culture of entrepreneurship needs to be enhanced as a solution for development. The richness of the history of Mozambique needs to echo the challenges faced by Mozambicans. We need to see the fullness of life in the city with strong infrastructure. We need to hear more voices embracing other languages, to spread the message of hope. 

I hope to visit Xaixai’s villages next time. Until the next African country.  

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

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