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Ana Rita Sithole, a former member of Mozambique’s National Assembly and a prominent historical figure of the ruling Frelimo party, died on Sunday, October 18, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She had been receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the country before succumbing to an illness.
Her death was confirmed by Frelimo’s Political Commission, which expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a senior party official who had dedicated several decades to Mozambique’s political and parliamentary life.
Sithole served as a member of Frelimo’s Political Commission and Central Committee. She was also a member of Mozambique’s National Assembly for 30 years, from 1994 to 2024. During her parliamentary career, she served on the Assembly’s Standing Committee and held the position of parliamentary spokesperson.
A teacher by profession, Sithole was actively involved in political mobilisation and Frelimo’s organisational structures, holding several positions of responsibility within the party.
Her political career extended beyond Mozambique’s borders. She served as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
In these roles, she participated in parliamentary cooperation initiatives and dialogue between African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and the European Union.
In May 2023, she was involved in discussions surrounding the agreement that succeeded the Cotonou Agreement and held meetings with international leaders, including Angolan President João Lourenço.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo expressed his condolences following Sithole’s death, highlighting her contribution to the development of parliamentary activities and Mozambique’s representation in international organisations.
In a message of condolence, the Head of State recalled the responsibilities Sithole had undertaken throughout her political career and extended his sympathy to her family, friends and former colleagues.
Frelimo’s parliamentary group also mourned the former lawmaker, describing her passing as a significant loss for the party, the National Assembly and the country.
Sithole was also part of Mozambique’s historic March 8 Generation and participated in adult literacy initiatives before consolidating her political career.
Throughout her public life, she advocated for greater recognition of Mozambican women, the professionalisation of Parliament and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
In recent years, Sithole had stepped away from frontline political activities due to health problems, following a long career marked by her involvement in Frelimo’s leadership structures and her role in representing Mozambique in international parliamentary institutions.
The death toll from a road accident in Mazóe, Changara district, in Mozambique’s Tete province, has risen from 13 to 14 after another victim died on Saturday night, October 17. The collision, involving an interprovincial passenger bus and a minibus used for public transport, also left 16 people injured.
Maputo Municipal Council is seeking Chinese investors to support urban development, housing and tourism projects in the municipal districts of KaTembe and KaNyaka, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth in Mozambique’s capital.
The government of Mozambique’s Tete province has distributed 180 head of cattle to farmers in the districts of Angónia, Tsangano and Macanga, as part of an initiative aimed at increasing agricultural production, reducing farming costs and improving the livelihoods of 120 rural families.
The Mozambican Government has acknowledged to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it is facing liquidity constraints in the State Treasury, affecting the full implementation of the State Budget and the timely fulfilment of public debt servicing obligations.
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