A POIGNANT documentary, Camarada Presidente, which focuses on the life of the late President of Mozambique, Samora Machel, opened the 16th edition of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) and is a must watch.
Directed by Moscow Kamwendo, a Zimbabwean based in the United Kingdom, Camarada Presidente takes one back to a time when several African countries were fighting for their independence, Mozambique included.
Camarada Presidente helps one to understand and appreciate one of the characters who was instrumental in the attainment of independence of fellow African countries.
The documentary does a splendid job portraying a man many Zimbabweans appreciate for assisting their country during the liberation struggle.
For those that do not know the man, especially the young, the documentary is a vivid account of Machel’s illustrious life.
It highlights him in the various facets of life and most importantly shows that Samora despite possessing extraordinary qualities as a leader was also your average human being.
The documentary opens with Machel’s widow Graca Machel describing the moment when she was informed about the death of her husband.
In the opening, one immediately sees the kind of man Samora was and the impact he had made during his lifetime.
The emotions that gripped Mozambicans, both the young and old, when he died is evidence that he was a leader dearly loved.
And it is not only Mozambicans that were affected by his death, but many on the continent.
The documentary is a detailed account of the man’s life showing his early life.
His upbringing in a tough environment under brutal oppression by the Portuguese obviously helped shape Samora’s beliefs and stance against colonialism, he abhorred it.
Born in 1933, in a farming village, Samora trained as a nurse, one of the few professions that were open to blacks.
In Camarada Presidente, Kamwendo shows the painful and unequal relationship between the coloniser and the colonised.
The Portuguese lived in luxury in towns and cities while the majority of Mozambicans tilled the land in the villages.
Samora was among the first people to leave his country to receive military training in Algeria.
As a commander, Samora led his people from the front exhibiting qualities and leadership skills that endeared him to the masses.
Where freedom was concerned, Samora did not compromise.
He was a powerful military man, principled political leader and a family man who loved and wanted his children to develop into upright citizens.
The man hated corruption and did not entertain it, he had no sacred cows as he exposed his own ministers that were involved in corrupt activities.
He also worked towards improving the literacy of his people who had been denied opportunities to improve their lives by the colonial system.
To show that he was a mortal affected by the challenges everyone else faces, Samora is shown getting involved with four women before his demise.
Camarada Presidente is a must watch production for anyone interested in getting a deeper insight of Samora Machel.