secondary school created by FRELIMO and there were many other girls
with me, FRELIMO helps us. It's very different from how it was with
the colonialists. For instance when I was in Louren9o Marques the
white pupils were with the teacher and we were put in a separate
room. Once a woman said to the teacher that she was wasting her time
teaching a negress. Now in the Institute that FRELIMO runs the
teachers do everything to help us, they are comrades.
When I went into the army FRELIMO put me through a course on
youth organisation and also gave me my military training. Then I
went to work in CABO DELGADO Province, Our detachment held meetings
everywhere, explaining the politics of our party, the reasons for
the struggle and also the role of Mozambican women in the revolution.
The Mozambican woman participates in all revolutionary activities, she helps the combatants, she has an important role in production, she grows crops, she also has military training and fights,
she joins the militias which protect the people and the fields,
I think it a very good thing that we women take part in the
Revolution; it serves the liberation struggle for the people. With
the revolution our people are living better than ever before, they
are free. We also have many difficulties; there are many shortages;
in certain regions there are shortages of food, clothing, medicine
but these difficulties are part of the struggle. Our people understand things; they want these difficulties which help to create the
people's power; the people don't want the Portuguese government,
Portuguese power; they want our power - the people's power.
We women have seen how the colonialists treat us. Our comrades
are completely different. The Portuguese soldiers came to our villages to take us; as we refused, they took us by force. Now for
example, in the base where I am stationed there are men and women)
the men are in the majority but never have they come and interfered
with us; they respect us. FRELIMO has taught us respect - that is
the result of the Revolution. We shall win.
1
son of Mozambique nationalist and patriot
in the name of those things most sacred to me
my people and my country
swear to devote all my energies to the service
of the revolution
i shall never vacillate
until the liberation of my people
my life belongs to the Revolution
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