Today, Josina Z. Machel celebrates another year of life, a date that marks not only her birth, but also the resilience, strength, and commitment of a woman who has become a symbol of the fight against gender-based violence in Mozambique and the southern region of Africa.
Born in Maputo in April 1976, Josina is the daughter of two historical figures: former Mozambican president Samora Machel and activist and former Minister of Education, Graça Machel. Her name was chosen in homage to Samora's first wife, the national heroine Josina Machel, as a tribute to her bravery and fight for the emancipation of Mozambican women.
At the age of ten, Josina faced a profound loss with the death of her father in a controversial plane crash. Later, with her mother's marriage to Nelson Mandela, she moved to South Africa, becoming the stepdaughter of the iconic South African leader. This experience among influential leaders shaped her critical and engaged perspective on social and political issues.
With a degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Cape Town and a master's degree from the London School of Economics, Josina has always focused on issues related to inequality and social vulnerability. Her dissertation, entitled "AIDS: Disease of Poverty or of Patriarchy," revealed early on her interest in the intersections between gender, health, and power.
But it was in 2015, after surviving a brutal attack by her then-partner, that Josina transformed pain into action. The episode, which resulted in the loss of one of her eyes, marked the beginning of a new phase: the founding of... Kuhluka Movement — which means “Reborn” in the Chope language. This initiative offers support to victims of domestic violence and fights for a fairer justice system for women survivors.
In addition to Kuhluka, Josina is a co-founder of Protect Her Life, an insurance company focused on providing protection and emergency assistance to women at risk, and acts as a trustee for Graça Machel Fund and director of Samora Machel Documentation Center. With experience at institutions such as ABC Atlas Mara and the Zizile Institute, she continues to play an active role in building a more equitable society.
On this special day, we celebrate the life of Josina Z. Machel — a woman who, even in the face of pain, chose to be a bridge, a voice, and a refuge for other women. Her story is a continuing inspiration for Mozambique and the world.
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