What they have taught me and what I take from their lives is this real ability to go beyond yourself and to dedicate your life to the common good, to… - Graça Machel

About Graça Machel

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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