Watch Videos<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Meet Gra\u00e7a Machel Gra\u00e7a Machel: A Lifetime of impact<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1945
\nBorn in Incadine, Gaza Province, Mozambique<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Daughter of rural Mozambique, her roots shaped her deep connection to community and justice.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1973
\nJoins FRELIMO <\/b><\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Worked with others to fight for the independence of Mozambique.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1974
\nMarries Samora Machel <\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
They have children together subsequently<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1975\u20131989
\nMinister of Education & Culture, Mozambique<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
As the first Minister of Education after independence, she led efforts to reconstruct a national education system. <\/span>During her tenure, the number of students enrolled in primary and secondary schools rose from about 40 per cent of all school-aged children to over 90 per cent for males and 75 per cent for females.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1986
\nDeath of Samora Machel <\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Her husband and Mozambique\u2019s first president, Samora Machel, died in a plane crash under suspicious circumstances. Despite the tragedy, she continues her humanitarian work and becomes an advocate for children and women’s rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1987 <\/b><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Following her husband\u2019s death, Gra\u00e7a Machel focuses her energy on humanitarian efforts, particularly through the Mozambican government and various non-governmental organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1992
\nAfrica Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger <\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Recognised for her leadership in advancing food security and child welfare.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1994
\nFounded Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade (FDC)<\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Created to strengthen civil society and improve livelihoods across Mozambique.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1995
\nAwarded the UN Nansen Medal<\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The United Nations honours her with the Nansen Medal for her outstanding service to refugee children and displaced communities.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1997
\nGra\u00e7a Machel<\/b> publishes landmark UN report on children and conflict<\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Her groundbreaking UN study,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cImpact of Armed Conflict on Children\u201d<\/span><\/i>, brings global attention to the plight of children in war zones and becomes a global framework for action, to this day. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1998<\/b>
\n<\/span>Wins Princess of Asturia\u2019s Award for International Cooperation<\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
She receives Spain\u2019s highest international honour for her extraordinary contributions to human rights and global cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1998
\nMarries Nelson Mandela<\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Gra\u00e7a Machel marries South African icon and former President Nelson Mandela, uniting two of Africa\u2019s most influential liberation legacies. During this period, Gra\u00e7a becomes increasingly involved in international affairs, working on issues relating to children, women, and human rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1999
\nAppointed Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT<\/b>)\u00a0 <\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Machel becomes the first woman Chancellor of UCT, championing inclusion, academic excellence, and student equity in South Africa\u2019s top university. She served in this role for 10.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2007
\nCo-founded The Elders <\/b><\/p><\/div><\/div>