Dame Graça Machel to Visit Barbados for Season of Emancipation: A Look at Her Engagements and Activities

Dame Graça Machel, African stateswoman, educator, and humanitarian, and widow of former South African President Nelson Mandela, is set to visit Barbados from Wednesday, August 21, to Monday, August 26.

Mrs. Machel’s visit coincides with Barbados’ Season of Emancipation, and she will engage in several related activities throughout her stay. Among her planned visits is the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, where she will participate in the Barbados/Africa Connections event and meet with South Africans residing in the country. She is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and other government officials.

During her six-day visit, Dame Graça will explore key sites tied to Barbados’ intangible cultural heritage, including Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, the Emancipation Statue, Rock Hall Freedom Village, and Golden Square Freedom Park.

She will also be introduced to “The Story of Sugar and Rum,” a significant aspect of the island’s history.

The highlight of her visit will be her participation in a discussion titled “Dame Graça Machel in Her Own Words: Reflections on the Road to Freedom,” scheduled for Friday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Frank Collymore Hall.

This event will be held in commemoration of the United Nations International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

Dame Graça Machel, who also served as the First Lady of Mozambique and was one of the country’s Ministers of Education, has long been a champion for the rights of women and the well-being of children.

In recognition of her significant contributions, she was awarded the World Health Organization’s highest honor, the WHO Gold Medal, in 2018 for her work in advancing the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. (BGIS)