In Mozambique, where revolt has been brewing for months against an election deemed stolen by the historic ruling party, young people chant “Venancio” as a rallying cry, invoking Venancio Mondlane, the charismatic leader of an opposition who refuses to give in.
This parliamentarian and former television columnist, who promised to return Thursday from an exile decided after the assassination of two of his relatives in October, maintains a singular closeness with his supporters who refer to him only by his first name.
Multiplying lives on social networks, in which he mentions “Venancio” in the third person, this slender and flirtatious 50-year-old man, three-piece suit and imposing hair, has built a network of sympathizers online.
He had promised “chaos” in the Portuguese-speaking country of southern Africa if the Constitutional Council confirmed before Christmas the result of the presidential election of October 9, crediting him with only 20% of the votes.
The highest court in the country finally awarded him a little more, with 24.19% of the votes, but he continues to claim victory after almost three months of demonstrations, strikes and blockades, which have already cost the lives of some 300 people. , according to a local NGO.
– Solo rider –
“Venancio” sparked the “most dangerous post-election protest” in the country’s history, believes researcher Borges Nhamirre.
For 50 years, Frelimo, which has ruled the country since independence, “has governed without opposition”, summarizes analyst Johann Smith. “After each election, they cut the cake. But for the first time, someone told them: ‘No, I don’t want a 20% share, the cake is mine,'” continues this Maputo-based expert.
Venancio, who claims a score of 53%, has dynamited Mozambican political codes, right down to his neat afro cut. Eleven years after his debut in politics, he dethroned the historic Renamo party as the main opposition force.
The trained agricultural engineer joined this training resulting from the civil war (1975-1992) in 2018.
In 2023, he campaigns under the colors of Renamo in the 2023 municipal elections in the capital. Believing that he had won, contrary to the official results, he mobilized the demonstrators.
Unable to be nominated as a presidential candidate, he left Renamo and went it alone, joining the modest Podemos party for the legislative elections which took place at the same time.
– “VM7” –
“Venancio” broke through around fifteen years ago as a political columnist on a private TV channel. His fierce criticism of the government and his oratorical talent set him apart.
“For the first time in a long time, there is a charismatic leader in Mozambique. He speaks to the man in the street, to the farmer,” observes Johann Smith.
His inventiveness has been illustrated in his calls for pan concerts or snail operations since the proclaimed victory of Frelimo, whose credibility is called into question by the quantity of irregularities noted by international observers.
Also called “VM7” because he would be to politics what another Portuguese speaker, Cristiano Ronaldo (baptized CR7), is to football, Venancio Mondlane does not scare the goal scorers but the views: his live broadcasts on Facebook are regularly viewed more than two million times.
Corruption, poverty or kidnappings – which are commonplace in Mozambique – are the favorite themes of the man who grew up in Matola, the most populous city in the country, near the capital.
He has a sense of the formula. Regarding young people deprived of prospects in this unequal country, he notably said: “If they are marginalized today, it is because someone has marginalized them.”
Entering Mozambican homes thanks to these regular meetings on the internet, he concludes them with an invariable “I kisses, kisses and hi!”, which he accompanies with specific gestures, like an influencer.
Before going underground, he took pleasure in attracting crowds, standing on a van, swaying to the rhythm of the speakers and singing: “Who is the people’s candidate? It’s Venancio!”
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