Was Samora Machel’s 1986 plane crash a tragic aviation accident—or a Cold War assassination? In this episode, we explore the life and controversial death of Mozambique’s first president, a revolutionary leader and Pan-African icon whose fight against colonialism and apartheid made him a powerful symbol in Southern African politics.

Through declassified reports, conspiracy theories, and eyewitness accounts, we unpack the competing narratives: Was Machel killed by South Africa’s apartheid regime? Betrayed by his own party? Or caught in a geopolitical crossfire between the Soviet Union, the CIA, and Western interests?

This episode is a deep dive into Cold War Africa, political assassinations, liberation movements, and the legacy of one of the continent’s most complex figures.

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Produced By:

Sthembiso Matenjwa

Tatum Damons

After Freedom SA (Pty) Ltd