Machel, Samora Moãses (1933-1986), first president of Mozambique (1975-1986). The son of farmers in Gaza District, in southern Mozambique, Machel was trained as a medical assistant. In 1962 he joined the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), a movement seeking to overthrow Portuguese colonial rule. After receiving military training in Algeria, he returned to Mozambique in 1964 as a Frelimo guerrilla fighter and before long became a commander. Machel was appointed Frelimo secretary of defense in 1966 and thereby became a member of Frelimo's Central Committee. In 1969 Eduardo Mondlane, Frelimo's founder and leader, was assassinated and Machel succeeded him the following year. In 1974 Machel headed Frelimo's delegation in peace talks with the Portuguese, and in 1975, when his country achieved independence, he became the first president. Killed on October 19, 1986, in an air crash, he was succeeded by the foreign minister Joaquim Chissano.