Josina Z. Machel
Josina Ziyaya Machel (April 1976) is a human rights activist from Mozambique, who was listed on the BBC's 100 Women list for 2020. Her parents were Samora Machel, the first independent president of Mozambique, and humanitarian and politician Graça Machel (née Simbine); her step-father was Nelson Mandela. Machel founded the Kuhluka Movement which aims to end the stigma of domestic violence and support its survivors.
This article is about the daughter of Samora Machel. For Samora's first wife, see Josina Machel.
Josina Z. Machel
April 1976 (age 48)
Mozambique
Activist
Kuhluka Movement
- Samora Machel (father)
- Graça Machel (mother)
Nelson Mandela (step-father)
Activism[edit]
In October 2015, her then partner Rofino Licuco, a Mozambican businessman, assaulted her so severely that one of her eyes had to be removed.[7][8] At the time of the assault, Machel was threatened and intimidated by men connected to Licuco, as well as receiving threatening phone calls from Licuco himself.[9] Despite this, in August 2020 the Court of Appeal in Mozambique overturned the guilty verdict against Licuco, on the grounds that there were no eyewitnesses.[9] As of December 2020, Machel was yet to receive justice.[9]
As a survivor of domestic abuse, Machel has turned her personal trauma into a collective struggle, by founding the Kuhluka Movement, which in txopi (one of the languages in Mozambique) means Reborn.[2] The organisation aims to challenge gender-based violence in South Africa and provide safe spaces for survivors of domestic violence there.[5]
She is also the co-founder of the insurance company Protect Her-Life which provides emergency help for women, through its insurance and emergency health packages.[10][11]
Additionally, Machel is a trustee of the Graça Machel Trust.[12] She is a director of the Samora Machel Documentation Centre.[10] She has also worked for the ABC Atlas Mara in Mozambique and other international organizations, including the Emerald Group, and the Zizile Institute for Child Development.[7]
Machel has been nominated for several awards and honours, including: