Mozambique: Tributes pour in for Daviz Simango

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Mozambique: Tributes pour in for Daviz Simango

11:57 CAT | 23 Feb 2021

Photo: DW

The death of the President of the Municipal Council of the city of Beira and of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), Daviz Simango, which occurred on Monday, at the age of 57, in a health facility in South Africa, leaves a void that affects the whole country, which, according to many has lost an important voice for democracy.

Several individuals expressed their sympathy and solidarity over the demise of the politician and Council of State member.

He knew how to be in politics

The former President of the Republic, Armando Guebuza, said that Daviz Simango “knew how to be in politics and, in this way, contributed to the strengthening of Mozambican democracy”.

“To his family, to the city of Beira, all MDM activists and supporters, we address the most heartfelt condolences,” Guebuza’s message says.

He participated in the consolidation of democracy

For Frelimo secretary general, Roque Silva, the MDM president played a profound role in the consolidation of democracy, through his direct participation in various processes that contributed to the consolidation of peace.

Roque Silva said that Daviz Simango’s contribution stood out for his leadership of the municipality of Beira and membership of the State Council.

“In this moment of pain and dismay I want, on behalf of the party leadership, on behalf of Frelimo members and militants, to address our solidarity with the MDM and the Simango family, in the hope that in the midst of this anguish, they will find space to recover their energy and continue to face the challenges that life poses,” Silva said.

He said that Simango’s death was a loss not only for the Simango family and the MDM, but for all Mozambicans, who had lost “one of the most prominent leaders in the national political arena”.

Frelimo’s secretary-general said he believed the MDM would know how to organise itself to continue the projects started, because, although a leader had been lost, democracy itself had not.

Great loss

Renamo Secretary-general André Magibiri said that the death of Daviz Simango represents a great loss for the country, because “his work went beyond the party forum and had reached up to the level of State”.

He recalled that Daviz was once a member of Renamo, the party for which he ran and won the 2003 municipal elections and wisely directed the municipality, managing to address the problem of open fecalism in that city.

“He did an excellent job of solving that problem that affected the population of Beira,” said Magibiri.

A unique servant died

The National Association of Municipalities of Mozambique (ANAMM) said that Daviz Simango was a “unique servant” who accomplished much for the city of Beira, and that citizens must continue to strive for social and economic development.

Speaking to Television of Mozambique (TVM), ANAMM President Calisto Cossa said that one way to honour Daviz Simango was to continue the battle and face the future with hope.

He also noted that this was the second Mozambican mayor to lose his life this year, following the death in January of Lídia Cossa, the mayor of Chókwè.

An ANAMM team will travel to the city of Beira today to speed up the transfer of the body, , in coordination with the municipality, party and family. Subsequent steps for the funeral will then be announced.

Simango was an advocate of democratic governance

The UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy to Mozambique and chairman of the Contact Group, Mirko Manzoni, also issued a statement, calling Davis Simango “a fervent defender of democratic governance”, who “dedicated his life to public service”.

“The president of the Municipal Council of Beira has, since 2003, promoted sustainable development and led reconstruction efforts after the devastation caused by cyclones Idai and Eloise. As a founding member of the MDM party, in 2009 he contributed to the widening of the democratic space in the country,” Manzoni said, adding that Simango had proved to be a staunch defender of the peace process.

According to the envoy of António Guterres, during the peace negotiations, Daviz Simango regularly met government and Renamo leaders and encouraged inclusive dialogue as a way to achieve effective peace. He attended the signing ceremonies in August, 2019, and encouraged the full implementation of peace agreements.

“We will miss your leadership, your compassion and your tireless energy. We extend our sincere condolences to your family, members of your party, friends and to all Mozambicans at this difficult time,” Manzoni said.

Open and charismatic man

The European Union Ambassador to Mozambique, António Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, expressed regret at the passing of Daviz Simango, whom he considered “a man with political commitment, open and charismatic”.

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death, today (yesterday), of Daviz Mbepo Simango, victim of illness, in South Africa. For the man involved in society, for his political commitment, openness and charisma, I am particularly touched by this tragic news,” Gaspar said.

Committed to his cause

In a message of condolence, the British High Commissioner in Mozambique, NneNne Iwuji, expressed deep sadness at the death of Daviz Simango, who, he said was “a man of integrity, committed to his cause, who dedicated his life and career to the city of Beira, a twin of the city of Bristol in the United Kingdom, as well as its citizens, and a fount of innovative ideas”.

“I had the opportunity to interact with him whenever I went to the city of Beira. My condolences to the family, the MDM party and the citizens,” NneNne Iwuji said.

Citizen with broad views

The Catholic Archbishop of Beira, Cláudio Dalla Zuanna, described Daviz Simango as a man who set an example as a citizen of broad vision, committed to the well-being of society.

In a message of condolences, the Bishop of Beira said that he [Simango] was able to relate to any citizen, regardless of social status or party affiliation, always with an interest in city concerns.

“Engineer Daviz Simango was notable for improving the living conditions in our city through his tireless work. But above all, he was a person who loved the city and was involved in finding solutions to its many challenges,” Cláudio Dalla Zuanna said, adding that faith in Jesus Christ, who overcame death, was a source of consolation, and courage for the continuity of his work.

He said that, having learned of the precariousness of [Simango’s] condition, the archdiocese had expressed its fraternal solidarity and promised to pray for his speedy recovery.

“At this moment, when disease has won, I want, in my personal name and that of the archdiocese of Beira, to present our feelings of sorrow and closeness to the family,” Zuanna said, extending solidarity to municipality workers and all those who mourned the departure of a friend and a servant of the public interest.

Source: Notícias