The afternoon sun illuminated Independence Square. Pigeons flew in circles above the statue, and the sound of cars mingled with the voices of passingers.
Mario and Professor Mahlemba sat on a cement bench, facing the monument.
“Professor,” said Mario, “history speaks a lot about domination, but almost never about resistance. Did the people accept everything in silence?”
Mahlemba crossed his hands over his knee and replied, “Not at all, Mario. Between 1880 and 1910, the country was a resistance camp.”.
There were chiefs who refused to pay taxes, villages that rebelled against forced labor, entire communities that fled into the bush rather than submit. Many faced armies with spears and courage, even knowing that defeat was likely.”
“"Who were they?" Mario asked.
“The people of Gaza, of Marracuene, of Maganja da Costa, of Niassa, of Angoche,” the professor replied. “There were leaders like Gungunhana, Mawewe, Mataca, Zixaxa, Zalala… names that time has almost erased, but which sustained the soul of this country. Each fought in their own way—some with weapons, others with strategies and faith.” Mário stared at the statue. “And they won?”
“Not always,” Mahlemba replied. “Many were defeated, some betrayed.
But even when they lost the war, they gained something greater: memory.
Because they showed that Mozambicans have never been submissive.
"As long as there was a free man, there was resistance."”
The cathedral bell rang. Mahlemba looked up and said:
“"The problem, Mario, is that the country has learned more about those who dominated than about those who resisted. And that's why many think we are a weak people—when, in fact, we are a people who endure, who persist, who rise up."”
Mario took a deep breath. "Perhaps our generation needs to resist again—but this time against apathy."“
Mahlemba smiled. “Yes, Mario. The weapons have changed, but the fight continues—now within each conscience.”
Final message: The wars have passed, but the courage remains.
Those who forget those who resisted, are defeated again — not by force, but by forgetfulness.
