A Motswana in Mozambique: Land of hope and despair :: Mmegi Online

As Mozambique shakes from terrorism insurgency in its North, fears abound that the country’s historic instability may this time spill over into the region. LESEGO THAMAGANA recalls much more pleasant times in the east African country when hope was in the air.

The first time I ever visited Mozambique, was sometime in 2016, possibly around April/May in my late 20s. At the time, I had been living in Maseru, Lesotho for about two years.

I had taken the bus, starting the journey in Maseru, then Bloemfontein and eventually Johannesburg where I took the 10pm Intercape night service from the infamous Park Station and would arrive at Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border at 5am the next morning. There we had to wait in the bus for about an hour till the gates opened at 6am, for immigration formalities. I had been warned about hagglers and corrupt immigration officials, but my passage was a smooth one.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.