Robin Wright
- 1975
Fellowship Title:
- The Dismantling of Portugal's African Empire
Fellowship Year:
- 1975
White Faces in a Black Crowd: Will They Stay?
Portugal was the first colonial power in Africa, dating back almost 500 years. With the independence of its three African colonies — Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Angola — this year it will be the last major colonial power to leave. But the break does not end all ties, for not all the Portuguese have yet left. In Mozambique, for example, the Portuguese are not typical settlers. While most African countries were “settled” by whites in the early 1900s, the whites in this massive southeast African country go back many generations. Most consider themselves Mozambicans. But even as Mozambicans they have many questions about life under the new Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) government. The fears and hopes are strong since the full implications of independence will be unknown for the first year — or years. Robin Wright has spent three months in Mozambique writing about the dismantling of the Portuguese empire. Wright’s investigation has included an examination of the Portuguese community and what follows is an assessment of their feelings about their future in
Frelimo at Mocuba:A Liberation Movement Shows Its Force
Liberation forces fought a bitter ten-year guerrilla war to free Mozambique of 500 years of Portuguese domination, a goal realized with full independence for the southeast African country on June 25. But according to officials of the new government, the struggle is far from over. At a strangely unheralded convention of party “militants” at Mocuba in February, Frelimo, (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) came out in strong language about the tasks before it, indicating the future is anything but rosy and that the party will have to take stiff measures to insure long-term independence in Mozambique. The convention of over 1,000 district officials — not reported fully in the local press until aid-April — was the most important meeting since the movement’s second Congress six years ago. It was a performance that revealed Frelimo as perhaps the most organized political party anywhere in Africa on the eve of an independence, with clear intentions of spreading its monopoly hold on the country’s political development. In his keynote address, Prime Minister Joaquin Chissano revealed the party’s
Independence in Mozambique: The Changes Are Not Just Political
Filipe looked like a walking advertisement for the new government, t-shirt with the new flag stretched tightly across his chest, plastic pinkie ring also with the new flag, tiny metal chest pin engraved with the face of the national liberation movement’s founder, and second-hand battle fatigue trousers once worn by the liberation army. “Can you imagine,” he asked rhetorically, almost in disbelief, “I can walk down the street like this and all I get is smiles or nods from people who share my happiness, my pride.” “Five years ago my brother was arrested and put in prison for carrying a letter, one little piece of paper, with the name of Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) across the top of it. It was not even official. It was just a letter from a friend, although the Portuguese did not believe.” “He spent four years in prison because of that little piece of paper. And today, look,” the young teenager pointed to his chest, “I can say Frelimo all I want and no one will
Janet Mondlane of the Mozambique Institute: American “Godmother” to an African Revolution
At first appearance the only things African about Janet Mondlane are her batik print shirts. Yet the American-born mother of three is a leading member and founder of one of Africa’s most heralded liberation movements, which on June 25 will take over full control of the Mozambique government. Throughout the liberation war Mrs. Mondlane served as director of the Mozambique Institute, coordinating the non-military activities of Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique). A look at her role reveals much about the level of experience the new government has had in the tasks it now faces on a national scale. Robin Wright recently talked with Mrs. Mondlane in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as she was winding down the work at the Institute and getting ready for the move to Mozambique. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Off a dusty road on the outskirts of the bustling east African port city of Dar es Salaam stretches an unimpressive, single-story concrete building. Starkly utilitarian in design, furnishings and decor, it has served for the Past 13 years as
Liberation Leadership: The Men Behind the Mozambique Independence Movement
After 500 years of colonialism and ten years of a bitter guerrilla war the Portuguese territory of Mozambique becomes independent on June 25. Little has been written about the men who led the liberation struggle as members of Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) and who will soon take over the government after a short nine-month transition period. Robin Wright recently became the first foreign journalist to travel with Frelimo Prime Minister and several members of the transition cabinet as they toured the country. Before going to Mozambique, Wright also met with members of the party hierarchy who remained in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania during the transition. What follows is an assessment of the key leaders, who will play a vital role in the future of all southern Africa, as well as in Mozambique, due to the country’s strategic position and its long-standing economic ties with South Africa and Rhodesia. Lourenco Marques, Mozambique One is an author. Three are former professors or instructors. Two are lawyers. One was a newspaper editor, another an