What are the hopes of one of Mozambiques most famous authors for his country?
\u201cIf we want to be a nation we should have our own narrative, we should have our own heroes.\u201d
Alan\u2019s guest on the podcast today is Mia Couto - one of Mozambique\u2019s most famous authors who\u2019s won numerous international awards during his decades-long career. But he\u2019s so much more: a biologist, a critical thinker, the son of immigrants and, as a young man, a member of Frelimo - the independence movement which fought against the Portuguese colonial authorities. As the only \u2018white guy\u2019 in the room when he joined, he was told \u201cwe need poetry in our struggle\u201d.
Now nearly 50 years on, he tells Alan how he\u2019s become disillusioned with the ruling party \u2013 which has been in control of the country since independence. The country remains one of the poorest in Africa in terms of GDP despite its natural resources. \n \nHe also talks about why it's been so difficult for the authorities to retain control in the northern Cabo Delgado province which has suffered a bloody insurgency since 2017 - and argues that Mozambicans need to remember their own narratives and heroes.