Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane
Welcome to the publication, “Representations.” This is a project designed to bring the perspectives of a wider variety of groups to the forefront of the anthropology classroom. To celebrate Black History Month, we are covering the accomplishments of 28 Black anthropologists across 28 days. Learn more about our project; read on for the amazing accomplishments of Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane.
Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane was a Mozambican anthropologist and political activist whose impressive career ultimately aided in the success of the Mozambique Liberation Front, also known as FRELIMO, of which he was the founding president.
Born to a Tsonga tribal chief in southern Mozambique in 1920, Mondlane grew up tending his father’s cattle (Hawley 1979). At fourteen he was able to begin his education through Swiss missionary schools. His high academic achievment brought him to attend a prominent Presbyterian School in South Africa and went on to the Jan Hefmeyr School of Social Work (Shore 1992). Mondlane’s journey for higher education began at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, but was cut short due the confiscation of his immigration permit as the result of apartheid (SAHO 2019). From South Africa, Mondlane traveled to Lisbon, Portugal, to study and gain a deeper understanding of Portugese politics. Yet again, he was forced to withdraw due to discrimination and harassment by the Portugese police (Houser 1969).
A scholarship brought Mondlane to the United States where he was able to finish his Bachelors at Oberlin College in Ohio, followed by a Masters from Northwestern University and finally a PhD in 1960, with a focus on anthropology throughout (Houser 1969). In 1957, Mondlane began work at the United Nations as a research officer, tasked with studying the political, economic, and social climate of trust territories from the Trusteeship Department (McQueen 1998). This work required him to travel to Africa often. He desired to become more politically involved and as a result had to leave his position at the UN, instead becoming an assistant professor at Syracuse University in 1961 (ibid). He would resign in 1963 to commit himself fully to the liberation movement in Mozambique (ibid).
Mondlane was no stranger to political activism, having organized Mozambican students while in South Africa, resulting in his detainment for three days (Houser 1969). The 1961 independence of Tanzania provided the environment needed for the Mozambique Liberation movement to embark (Shore 1992). From then on Mondlane and his wife Janet Johnson, whom he married in 1956, dedicated their lives to liberation and freedom, stationing themselves in Dar es Salaam. In 1962 he spearheaded the unification of many nationalist movements, from which FRELIMO was created (Shore 1992; Houser 1969). During their first conference, Mondlane was named president (Shore 1992). Throughout this time, he was instrumental in FRELIMO’s organization and in founding their core philosophies (ibid). His aid in the struggle against the Portugese resulted in his reelection as president of FRELIMO in 1968 (ibid).
His book, The Struggle for Mozambique, published in 1969, outlined Mondlane’s ideas for the movement (Shore 1992). He viewed liberation as more than just a physical struggle, the people needed to be empowered and the political consciousness changed. Rebuilding had to come simultaneously with the elimination of the colonial empire; “it was only in the development of the struggle that we learned how rapid and how comprehensive civil reconstruction must be” (ibid). Mondlane sought to unify the masses and start mobilization before direct military action (ibid). An active and attentive leader, Mondlane always adapted to the needs of the people and their demands for change (ibid). Ultimately, the duty of FRELIMO was to empower and support the people of Mozambique.
In Dar es Salaam, 1969, Mondlane’s life was cut short as he was assassinated by the Portugese (Houser 1969). As opposed to weakening, the movement strengthened in his honor and the country was liberated in 1975 (Shore 1992). Though unable to personally finish the work he began for the liberation of Mozambique, Mondlane is still considered “the father of Mozambique’s independence” (SAHO 2019). He is remembered as being relaxed, determined, and having a “ready smile” (Hawley 1979). His work brought more awareness of African liberation movements to the U.S. and he introduced many African Americans to the idea of Black Pride while also enlightening white Americans on their part in colonialism and discrimination (ibid). Mondlane’s impressive efforts with FRELIMO served as inspiration not only to those in Mozambique but also to liberation movements across Africa (ibid). According to Hawley (1979) “To have known Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane was to have known the human spirit at its best.”
Bibliography
Hawley, Edward A. “Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane (1920–1969): A Personal Memoir.” Africa Today , 1st Qtr., vol. 26, no. 1, 1979, pp. 19–24., www.jstor.org/stable/4185824.
Houser, George. “Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane June 1920 — February 1969.” Memorial Service, 13 Feb. 1969, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/al.sff.document.pwmoz000027
McQueen, Albert J. “In Memory of Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane ’53 1920–1969 to Be Honored at May Reunion.” Alumni News & Notes, Oberlin.edu, 1998, www2.oberlin.edu/alummag/oampast/oam_spring98/Alum_n_n/eduardo.html.
SAHO. “Eduardo Mondlane.” South African History Online, 2019, www.sahistory.org.za/people/eduardo-mondlane.
Shore, Herbert. “Remembering Eduardo: Reflections on the Life and Legacy of Eduardo Mondlane.” Africa Today, 1st Qtr. — 2nd Qtr., vol. 39, no. 1/2, 1992, pp. 35–52., www.jstor.com/stable/4186802.
Photo from: Oberlin.edu
