Samora Moisés Machel was a Mozambican military commander, politician and revolutionary. A socialist in the tradition of Marxism–Leninism, he served as the first President of Mozambique from the country's independence in 1975.

Born: September 29, 1933, Gaza Province, Mozambique

Died: October 19, 1986, Mbuzini, South Africa

Buried: October 28, 1986, Maputo, Mozambique

15 Things You Need to Know About #SamoraMachel

1. Samora Machel was born on September 29, 1933

2. His middle name Moisés means Moses, presumably named after the Biblical Moses who led the Israelites out Egypt

3. He went to a Catholic missionary school

4. Machel studied nursing as it was one of the few career options available for black people, but didn't complete his studies

5. He received his military training in Tanzania and Algeria

6. In 1964, he led Frelimo's first guerilla attack against the Portuguese

7. His first wife Josina Muthemba, a political organiser, died of leukaemia two years into their marriage

8. Machel became independent Mozambique's first president in 1975

9. Affectionately known as President Samora, he nationalised all land shortly after taking office

10. He married Graça Simbine, a fellow freedom fighter

12. He died in a plane crash on October 19, 1986

13. Machel was apparently flying home to be there for Graça Machel's birthday party

14. South Africa's apartheid govt have been accused of causing the crash

15. In 1973, he said: "The liberation of women is not an act of charity. It is not the result of a humanitarian or compassionate position. It is a fundamental necessity for the Revolution, a guarantee of its continuity, and a condition for its success."