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Quelimane

Leo Johnson returns to Mozambique after more than 25 years to find a rapidly developing country. We look at a square mile of Quelimane, the country's fourth-largest city.

Leo Johnson returns to Mozambique after more than 25 years to find a rapidly developing country. We look through the prism of a square mile of Quelimane, the country's fourth-largest city. Badly affected by the floods ten years ago, Quelimane is now making national headlines because of its dynamic mayor Manuel de Arajo, a UK-educated former human rights worker who swept to power a year ago with anti-corruption promises.

Manuel de Arajo previously worked for Amnesty International at its headquarters in London. Quelimane was built up as a slave trading post during the Kilwa Sultanate east Africa and then used in the 16th Century as a trading station by the Portuguese. It grew as a port and became a cultural melting pot 25km from the mouth of the Rio Dos Bons Sinais.
It has never become a tourist destination but remains an important working city. Leo will meet the mayor and hear about his vision for African politics. Workers for some of the NGOs with offices here can show us some of the problems the city faces while one of the city's trademark bicycle taxis can take Leo around the square mile and he will stop off to meet the people who use its markets, cathedrals and mosques.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 Mar 2013 17:30GMT

Broadcasts

Mozambique Direct

A country on the brink of transformation