Graça Machel Quotes

Mozambican humanitarian activist and politician

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Dame Graça Machel FBA (née Simbine; born 17 October 1945) is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. She is the widow of former President of Mozambique l (1975–1986) and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela (1998–2013). Machel is an international advocate for women's and children's rights and was made an honorary British Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for her humanitarian work. She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries, South Africa and Mozambique. She is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. As a panel member she facilitates coalition building to leverage and broker knowledge, and convenes decision-makers to influence policy for lasting change in Africa.

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Alternative Names: Graça Simbine Machel • Graça Simbine

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We are a society where women, and children by the way, are not safe anywhere. Something absolutely and deeply wrong is happening in our society.

It is not just fear of a husband that makes a woman bow to these traditions. They are ingrained in her from her upbringing, the women learn to accept as if it's normal.

Culture for me is when you sing or dance, when you have theatre, when you read a book, a beautiful poem. It doesn't matter whether it's Shakespeare who wrote it or whether it is an African poet – it is communicating with all of us, regardless of who you are, your colour, your social structure.

We need to make the message much clearer -- that aid means saving lives, it’s not a luxury.

The developed world needs to feel that these huge levels of poverty (are) a threat to their own security. When their interests are at risk, money can be found.

The role tradition has played in the relationship in the family between men and women has been detrimental to women.

Tradition has developed a hierarchy in relationship between men and women that leads to discrimination.

Tradition has developed into practices which overtime have become beliefs which in essence they put women in a position of inferiority.