Frelimo celebrates ist 50th birthday

The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Mozambique's ruling party, Frelimo celebrated its 50th birthday with celebrations launched by President Armando Guebuza on Heroes' Day, the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Eduardo Mondlane, the founder and first president of Frelimo. Mondlane was killed in Dar es Salaam by a parcel bomb sent to him by the Portuguese political police, the PIDE.

The ceremonies begun with the laying of a wreath at the Monument to the Mozambican Heroes in Maputo, where Mondlane is buried, alongside the country's first president Samora Machel, and others who gave their lives fro the country's liberation and survival. Later in the day, a mass rally and musical event were held at a sports ground in one of the city's outlying neighbourhoods. More than 600 exhibiters, musicians, dancers, and entrepreneurs were said to be present. There was also a fair of Mozambican cuisine, at which dishes from all 11 provinces were be presented, and a fair of books and discs. "This is a moment of great festivity during which the entire history of the party, over the 50 years of struggle to win a Mozambican identity and to raise patriotic awareness and the spirit of self-esteem, will be analysed", said Edson Macuacua, Frelimo Central Committee Secretary for Mobilisation and Propaganda.

The high point of the celebrations however, will come in September 2012, during the Tenth Congress of Frelimo, due to be held in the northern city of Pemba from 23 to 30 September. (AIM)