By Margaret Kamba
I had never had an intimate relationship with the country Mozambique until recently when I was nominated to be part of the team going to observe the 2024 elections. All I knew was getting my passport stamped at the two borders when I was in transit to Malawi. The road along that strip was always characterized by the potholes and I always dreaded that journey to and fro Zimbabwe.
This 2024 visit after close to 15 years before going back there enlightened me. Mozambique is a beautiful country along with its people. Despite the language barrier one can have in some parts of the country, the men and women are indeed a wonderful lot, very respectful and kind hearted too.
I had quite a few pleasant experiences that I want to share from my visit and hopefully some of you will take your time to visit and have your own experiences.
My trip took me through South Africa where I missed meeting my brother, Mason and sister in law Lerato along with the youngest member of our AaroHelm Clan.
The only option I had was to video chat with them and ask someone to pass to them a little parcel. It was better than nothing. Given the chance, I would have loved to spent some time with them.
Upon arrival at the Maputo International Airport, we had a team waiting for us and they whisked us to the accommodation facility.
I didn't know what to expect at all because this was a part of Mozambique I had never been to at all. To my lovely surprise, there close to the Indian Ocean was the Afrin Prestige Hotel in its beauty.
This is a hotel which caters for guests from all over the world. It's evident in the cuisine served, the hotel staff as well as the ambience and art.
From the entrance and literally throughout the hotel are artifacts which depict the way of life of the locals. The fisherman in his skimpy clothing pulling his net, the young man crouching while carrying his bow and arrow, the women carrying a water jug and the man carrying a briefcase catch your attention.
Some if these art pieces are not even framed in extraordinary frames but planks. All these coupled with painting on cloth and canvas just give a twist to the hotel.
The clocks on the wall at the front desk showing the time in London or Paris, the massage parlour on the second floor and the new energy saving card system in place shows that the country is indeed moving with the times.
The rooms in this hotel are not only spacing but provide a home away from home for the guest. The restaurant also provides a menu that one can relate with occasional inquiries if need be.
There was an incident that occurred during my stay at the hotel. I was craving watermelon and the time that I stood up to collect it, it had been finished. My kind hearted superior decided to request on my behalf the watermelon from one of the waiters and little did he know that the waitress had not understood what he was asking for. I jokingly said the waitress would bring milk instead of watermelon because I was doubt she understood the instruction. Lo and behold, the glass of milk did come. It made me realize that it is important for one to learn a few basics of the language you are travelling to in order to avoid misunderstandings.
The tourist facilities in Mozambique are just too many to mention. We managed to see the heritage sites as these were closer to home for the mission at hand. The occasional walks along the sea were a pleasure as they gave me an opportunity to come face to face with something in my High School Geography books.
The coconut drink was something I had to try drinking. At only 25 merticash translating to 30 cents, I was able to have a whole coconut to myself.
Watching men catch fish and crabs was also quite a scene. The temptation to have my feet touch Indian Ocean was too much to resist. It was indeed refreshing.
For FRELIMO to win these 2024 elections, I cannot help myself but go beyond myself with merry. Many who have had an opportunity to sit down and hear the Presidential candidate Cde Daniel Chapo speak, can testify to how he is an old wise man in a young body. This is a weird description of a wise young man. For his age, it seems impossible to find someone who is level headed and a visionary. He is what I prefer calling a reincarnation of the late President, Cde Samora Machel. He is a selfless man who is clear on how his people must live and all this in relation to his neighbours.
He knows and is clear that these borders are colonial and meant to divide the African people. Who wouldn't want a leader so focused.
When I think of it, it makes me happy that forces are coming together to build Africa as one, that is to say? His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa here in Zimbabwe and Cde Chapo in Mozambique. The Liberation Movements must come together and build together.
I don't want to forget a few comrades I met there. Cdes Cuna, Sigauque, Sandra, Ubisse, Antonio and Dr Edite just to mention a few. Meeting you was a pleasure. Most importantly, Congratulations Cde Chapo, your name is indeed "quick, quick".