Maputo

28 JANUARY 2024

The capital of Mozambique reminds me of Libreville. There is evidence of Portuguese colonial architecture, the grand monuments of independence and the more recent impact of oil wealth. These sit side by side with the normal buildings and activity of a busy east African port city.

The old Portuguese fort houses the artefacts belonging to the troubled period of occupation. Astride a brass horse in the central courtyard is a sculpture of Mouzinho de Albuquerque, once the Portuguese Royal Commissioner of the country from 1896 to 1898. The museum holds the brass panels which were commissioned to honour his part in the capture and imprisonment of the last King of Gaza in 1895. Ngungunhane’s coffin is available to be viewed.