Without Daviz Simango, MDM celebrates its 12th anniversary

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Without Daviz Simango, MDM celebrates its 12th anniversary

5:41 CAT | 09 Mar 2021

File photo: DW

The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) on Sunday (March 7) celebrated the 12th anniversary of its founding, just a few days after the death of its president and founder, Daviz Simango, who died in neighbouring South Africa on February 22.

To mark the occasion and “to immortalise Simango’s legacy ” the MDM decided to pay tribute to the “Life and Work of Daviz Simango”, MDM secretary-general José Manuel told DW Africa in an interview.

Countering voices arguing that the death of Daviz Simango may precipitate the disappearance of Mozambique’s second-largest opposition party, José Manuel assured DW that “we will not have problems”.

DW Africa: MDM celebrates its 12th anniversary, without its leader and founder. What does this moment mean for the party?

José Domingos Manuel (JDM): This moment represents great challenges because, as you can see, it is the first anniversary of the party that takes place in the absence of its president and founder. That is why the motto we chose for this date was: “Life and Work by Daviz Simango”.

Daviz.smdm_.dw_ — **Daviz Simango, deceased MDM President**

DW Africa: Why this motto?

JDM: To relive his life and the work he did. Creating the party and reaching the levels it has reached. Even in terms of governance, Daviz Simango was exemplary. He was against corruption. He fought for justice. And he always thought of the most disadvantaged. So, this was the main goal of revisiting Daviz Simango’s life and work.

DW Africa: Unlike other years, there were no public events to mark the date. Was there any reason?

JDM: We are celebrating the date under the restrictions imposed by the new coronavirus pandemic. At national level, members went to visit the graves of their comrades – founding members who perished in the battle to see the party grow – while the celebration of Daviz Simango’s life and work took place at national headquarters.

DW Africa: Some people think that the MDM will have difficulty restructuring itself after Daviz Simango’s death. As the party’s secretary general, what do say to that?

Domingos.mdm_.dw_ — *José Domingos Manuel, MDM Secretary General*

JDM: Any party that loses its founding leader goes through some turmoil. But that will not prevent the MDM from continuing to work to achieve the idea of a “Mozambique for All”.

DW Africa: Do you mean that the party will have no problems?

JDM: No. That’s what people think. But, to say that we are going to have problems, no … no. The party organs are well established and functioning. So, let’s work so that this doesn’t happen. And in April, the National Council will meet to convene the National Congress, to decide the future of the party.

DW Africa: Will José Manuel be a candidate for the presidency of the party?

JDM: It is not my current goal. What I am doing now as Secretary-General is to fulfil my task of executing the activities of the party. Right now, I am only coordinating activities for the functioning of the organs until the Congress is held. And in due course, whoever wants to run for the party presidency will be free to do so.

DW Africa: There are voices that also argue that the next president of the party should be someone who is not from the centre of the country, to enhance the stability of the MDM. How does the party look at these views?

JDM: It is not enough to look at regional issues only. [The next MDM president] must be a person who members trust, and who can mobilise the bases.

Source: Deutsche Welle