The Mozambican academic Severino Ngoenha wants Mozambicans to converge in a collective purpose, as a nation, so that they can face the country's new cultural, ideological and development challenges.
Ngoenha's wish was expressed last Thursday, in the town of Maxixe, in Inhambane, as part of the implementation of the II Southern session of Moza Banco's Thinking Mozambique (“Pensar Moçambique”) project, at which he was a speaker, alongside the professor and academic Frei Amaral.
For Severino Ngoenha, who spoke on the subject of "Identity: an existential dimension that is always to be invented", it is only as long as we are united that we can meet the needs of those who need it most, making for less and less social imbalance.
"It's only as long as we have a collective direction that we can make sure that those less fortunate, instead of one aspirin, have two. Those who walk ten kilometres should walk five and those who only have one meal should have more than one..." Severino Ngoenha said.
Frei Amaral, on the other hand, in light of the topic "Historical-anthropological re-reading of Man from the idea of home as shared interiority" underlined the need to look at Mozambicanness as a continuous process of affirmation and reaffirmation, first individually and then collectively.
"We need to realise that the whole is made up of parts. Only from there will we be able to have a more empathetic and supportive society, ensuring that the idea of a united Mozambique is present in all of us."
Jaime Joaquim, a member of Moza's Executive Committee and the person overseeing the opening of the event, referred to the occasion as a time to "look back on the past and retrieve deep and valuable lessons that can illuminate the path that we currently want to take in the search for Mozambican values".
"We carry on our shoulders the noble mission of forging a future that matches the glorious achievements of our ancestors. A future in which Mozambican identity not only survives, but also flourishes and shines as a beacon of inspiration for other African and world nations. We want us to be able to look back in a few years' time and say with pride that, with the help of all Mozambicans, the "Thinking Mozambique" Project made it happen and became a great success," Jaime Joaquim said.
Through the "Thinking Mozambique" Project, Moza is organising conversation and debate sessions, in which the Bank invites ideologues and thinkers from various fields of knowledge to make their contribution to the process of valuing, rebuilding and appropriating the nation's individual and collective identity as Mozambicans.
This is a project that will be implemented in the three regions of the country, allowing different thinkers and ideologues to contribute their ideas to strengthening culture, patriotism and the sense of nationhood that is already becoming jeopardised by global dynamics, notably hyper-exposure to social networks and different virtual realities.
All the ideas shared in each of the discussion sessions will later be compiled into a book that will be made available for consultation in various Mozambican institutions, particularly national academia.
In this way, Moza is positioning itself as a bank that acts as a catalyst for a cultural renaissance which inspires Mozambicans to proudly embrace their values and pass them on to new generations.
Last Thursday, 22 February, Moza Banco launched conversation sessions called "Thinking Mozambique", in which the Bank invites ideologues and thinkers from various spheres of knowledge to make their contribution to the process of valuing, rebuilding and appropriating the nation's individual and collective identity as Mozambicans.
The sessions will take place in the three regions of the country, with its inaugural session held at Moza head office in Maputo, with the participation of renowned Camões Prize-winning writer Paulina Chiziane and the university professors Severino Nguenha and Nataniel Ngomane as speakers.
Among various topics covered, including experiences and skills, Paulina Chiziane invited those present to appreciate themselves more and more, focusing on their origins and the factors that make them unique and different.
"Don't be ashamed of yourself. Before copying what someone else does, get to know yourself. I, Paulina, have been given several labels. Some religious institutions have even said prayers in my name, but I know who I am: an authentic woman who asserts herself as such. Today, I am one of the most influential women in the world simply because I am authentic," said the writer who set out to discuss "The utopia of African independence".
For his part, the Chair of the Bibliographic Fund and also a speaker at the meeting, Nataniel Ngomane, turned his attention to discussing the sense of surrender and sacrifice for the collective good, bringing as an example the "First Group of Mozambican Students in Cuba", who were invited to return home following the process of decolonisation and government transition in Mozambique.
"We all had one purpose: we wanted to contribute to building the country. Many abandoned their individual dreams to return to the country and roll up their sleeves, putting their acquired knowledge into practice in the nation’s service," highlighted Ngomane, who reflected on the need to have a purpose that cuts across all Mozambicans.
For the Chairperson of Moza's Board of Directors, João Figueiredo, these sessions will make a significant contribution to praising and celebrating Mozambique's cultural, intellectual and identity richness.
"As the world becomes more and more homogenised, we run the risk of losing what makes us unique, which are our centuries-old traditions, our deep-rooted customs, and our ancestral values. But as Moza, the bank that bears the mark of Mozambican Pride, we stand up fearlessly because we don't want to be mere receivers of information. We want to reaffirm Mozambique as a country with a sparkling culture and collective social values," stressed Figueiredo.
Under the slogan "Thinking Mozambique", Moza Banco will organise conversation and reflection sessions on the Construction and Reconstruction of Mozambique and Mozambicanness in the country's three regions, allowing different thinkers to contribute their ideas to strengthening culture, patriotism and the sense of nationhood that is already being jeopardised by global dynamics, especially by hyper-exposure to social networks and different virtual realities.
Moza is thus positioning itself as a bank whose concern goes beyond numbers. A bank that wants to establish itself as a catalyst for a cultural renaissance that inspires Mozambicans to proudly embrace their values and pass them on to future generations.
With the aim of honouring the deeds of the Mozambican heroes who fell on the various battlefronts for the "liberation of the land and men", Moza joined forces with Marracuene district authorities to ensure that the 129th anniversary of the Battle of Gwaza Muthini, in which dozens of warriors gave their lives to prevent foreign domination, was made possible.
The event, which took place on 2nd February, also saw the passing of Mozambican Heroes' Day, which was marked the very next day (3rd February), with the participation of over 15,000 national and foreign citizens in a packed ceremony where tradition and culture "walked hand in hand".
In her speech on the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of Marracuene District, Nércia Sevene, praised the contribution from partners, including the support provided by Moza. "We want Gwaza Muthini to be a celebration that lights the way for a prosperous and promising future for all of us and for this land of warriors". Nércia Sevene added.
For Executive Board Member Jaime Joaquim, supporting the Gwaza Muthini festivities is an opportunity for Moza to strengthen its sense of belonging and connection with Mozambique's history.
"It's a pleasure to support these celebrations, helping to immortalise this important date in our history, while at the same time underlining our role as a bank that promotes national culture. With this action, we also want to value our heroes, who sacrificed themselves in the name of freedom," Jaime Joaquim highlighted.
This year, Moza intends to further strengthen its actions in the name of Mozambican culture, with the aim of making the history of Mozambique both timeless and cross-generational. By strengthening culture, the Bank believes it is also strengthening itself, since its brand carries the symbol of Mozambican pride - "Made in Mozambique".
The Mozambican academic Severino Ngoenha wants Mozambicans to converge in a collective purpose, as a nation, so that they can face the country's new cultural, ideological and development challenges.
Ngoenha's wish was expressed last Thursday, in the town of Maxixe, in Inhambane, as part of the implementation of the II Southern session of Moza Banco's Thinking Mozambique (“Pensar Moçambique”) project, at which he was a speaker, alongside the professor and academic Frei Amaral.
For Severino Ngoenha, who spoke on the subject of "Identity: an existential dimension that is always to be invented", it is only as long as we are united that we can meet the needs of those who need it most, making for less and less social imbalance.
"It's only as long as we have a collective direction that we can make sure that those less fortunate, instead of one aspirin, have two. Those who walk ten kilometres should walk five and those who only have one meal should have more than one..." Severino Ngoenha said.
Frei Amaral, on the other hand, in light of the topic "Historical-anthropological re-reading of Man from the idea of home as shared interiority" underlined the need to look at Mozambicanness as a continuous process of affirmation and reaffirmation, first individually and then collectively.
"We need to realise that the whole is made up of parts. Only from there will we be able to have a more empathetic and supportive society, ensuring that the idea of a united Mozambique is present in all of us."
Jaime Joaquim, a member of Moza's Executive Committee and the person overseeing the opening of the event, referred to the occasion as a time to "look back on the past and retrieve deep and valuable lessons that can illuminate the path that we currently want to take in the search for Mozambican values".
"We carry on our shoulders the noble mission of forging a future that matches the glorious achievements of our ancestors. A future in which Mozambican identity not only survives, but also flourishes and shines as a beacon of inspiration for other African and world nations. We want us to be able to look back in a few years' time and say with pride that, with the help of all Mozambicans, the "Thinking Mozambique" Project made it happen and became a great success," Jaime Joaquim said.
Through the "Thinking Mozambique" Project, Moza is organising conversation and debate sessions, in which the Bank invites ideologues and thinkers from various fields of knowledge to make their contribution to the process of valuing, rebuilding and appropriating the nation's individual and collective identity as Mozambicans.
This is a project that will be implemented in the three regions of the country, allowing different thinkers and ideologues to contribute their ideas to strengthening culture, patriotism and the sense of nationhood that is already becoming jeopardised by global dynamics, notably hyper-exposure to social networks and different virtual realities.
All the ideas shared in each of the discussion sessions will later be compiled into a book that will be made available for consultation in various Mozambican institutions, particularly national academia.
In this way, Moza is positioning itself as a bank that acts as a catalyst for a cultural renaissance which inspires Mozambicans to proudly embrace their values and pass them on to new generations.
Last Thursday, 22 February, Moza Banco launched conversation sessions called "Thinking Mozambique", in which the Bank invites ideologues and thinkers from various spheres of knowledge to make their contribution to the process of valuing, rebuilding and appropriating the nation's individual and collective identity as Mozambicans.
The sessions will take place in the three regions of the country, with its inaugural session held at Moza head office in Maputo, with the participation of renowned Camões Prize-winning writer Paulina Chiziane and the university professors Severino Nguenha and Nataniel Ngomane as speakers.
Among various topics covered, including experiences and skills, Paulina Chiziane invited those present to appreciate themselves more and more, focusing on their origins and the factors that make them unique and different.
"Don't be ashamed of yourself. Before copying what someone else does, get to know yourself. I, Paulina, have been given several labels. Some religious institutions have even said prayers in my name, but I know who I am: an authentic woman who asserts herself as such. Today, I am one of the most influential women in the world simply because I am authentic," said the writer who set out to discuss "The utopia of African independence".
For his part, the Chair of the Bibliographic Fund and also a speaker at the meeting, Nataniel Ngomane, turned his attention to discussing the sense of surrender and sacrifice for the collective good, bringing as an example the "First Group of Mozambican Students in Cuba", who were invited to return home following the process of decolonisation and government transition in Mozambique.
"We all had one purpose: we wanted to contribute to building the country. Many abandoned their individual dreams to return to the country and roll up their sleeves, putting their acquired knowledge into practice in the nation’s service," highlighted Ngomane, who reflected on the need to have a purpose that cuts across all Mozambicans.
For the Chairperson of Moza's Board of Directors, João Figueiredo, these sessions will make a significant contribution to praising and celebrating Mozambique's cultural, intellectual and identity richness.
"As the world becomes more and more homogenised, we run the risk of losing what makes us unique, which are our centuries-old traditions, our deep-rooted customs, and our ancestral values. But as Moza, the bank that bears the mark of Mozambican Pride, we stand up fearlessly because we don't want to be mere receivers of information. We want to reaffirm Mozambique as a country with a sparkling culture and collective social values," stressed Figueiredo.
Under the slogan "Thinking Mozambique", Moza Banco will organise conversation and reflection sessions on the Construction and Reconstruction of Mozambique and Mozambicanness in the country's three regions, allowing different thinkers to contribute their ideas to strengthening culture, patriotism and the sense of nationhood that is already being jeopardised by global dynamics, especially by hyper-exposure to social networks and different virtual realities.
Moza is thus positioning itself as a bank whose concern goes beyond numbers. A bank that wants to establish itself as a catalyst for a cultural renaissance that inspires Mozambicans to proudly embrace their values and pass them on to future generations.
With the aim of honouring the deeds of the Mozambican heroes who fell on the various battlefronts for the "liberation of the land and men", Moza joined forces with Marracuene district authorities to ensure that the 129th anniversary of the Battle of Gwaza Muthini, in which dozens of warriors gave their lives to prevent foreign domination, was made possible.
The event, which took place on 2nd February, also saw the passing of Mozambican Heroes' Day, which was marked the very next day (3rd February), with the participation of over 15,000 national and foreign citizens in a packed ceremony where tradition and culture "walked hand in hand".
In her speech on the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of Marracuene District, Nércia Sevene, praised the contribution from partners, including the support provided by Moza. "We want Gwaza Muthini to be a celebration that lights the way for a prosperous and promising future for all of us and for this land of warriors". Nércia Sevene added.
For Executive Board Member Jaime Joaquim, supporting the Gwaza Muthini festivities is an opportunity for Moza to strengthen its sense of belonging and connection with Mozambique's history.
"It's a pleasure to support these celebrations, helping to immortalise this important date in our history, while at the same time underlining our role as a bank that promotes national culture. With this action, we also want to value our heroes, who sacrificed themselves in the name of freedom," Jaime Joaquim highlighted.
This year, Moza intends to further strengthen its actions in the name of Mozambican culture, with the aim of making the history of Mozambique both timeless and cross-generational. By strengthening culture, the Bank believes it is also strengthening itself, since its brand carries the symbol of Mozambican pride - "Made in Mozambique".