In Maputo city the shops and the central market, Bazar Central, are full of consumer goods. Visitors in the 1990s also noticed a proliferation of street traders selling everything from beer to refrigerators. This was relatively new, a result of the influx of destitute rural families who fled war and drought in the 1980s. In the 1990s, when the destabilising effects of apartheid in neighbouring South Africa vanished into the past, Mozambique became a nation at peace.

People no longer needed to fear the countryside and began returning to farming in their home areas. But this will take time. Towards the end of the 20th century the informal city markets were still a mechanism for survival and, although most were ugly blemishes, beautiful woodcarvings and paintings markets were a credit to the artistic creativity of the Mozambican people.

The Incomati is the most important river in Maputo province. Others are the Umbeluzi, Tembe, Matola, Maputo and Futi. In the rainy season, between November and March, temperatures in Maputo can rise to 40C degrees. They drop to below 20C in July and August.

Places of interest

The Museum of Natural History has a unique display showing the gestation of the elephant, a wonderful insect collection and a wildlife tableau with roaring lions and other sound effects. The Museum of the Revolution tells the story of the struggle against Portuguese colonialism. The Art Museum shows exhibitions of the best of Mozambican paintings and sculptures and there is a Money Museum where you can see coins and banknotes from other eras. There is also a Museum of Geology.

Across the road is Radio Mozambique, not very pleasing to the modern eye but a functional example of the Estado Novo monumentalist tradition in Portuguese public architecture of the 1940s and 50s. The building, incorporating a rising central tower and bunker-style windows, achieves a certain grandeur and the bas-relief statuary flanking the central entrance is a classic of the genre.

A few minutes walk down the hill from the high commission is the Fortaleza, a Portuguese fort with cannons pointed out to sea. In the Fortaleza lie the remains of Ngungunyana, ruler of the old Gaza Empire, who tried and failed to defeat the Portuguese at the end of the 19th century.

Health Issues:

MALARIA: Is prevalent in Mozambique and it is recommended that visitors to the country take anti-malarial prophylactics, especially those travelling outside Maputo. The best precaution is to avoid being bitten by using Mosquito nets and repellent spray and wearing protective clothing, especially in the evenings.

WATER: Bottled drinking water may be purchased anywhere in Maputo and the larger cities. In rural areas it may be more difficult to obtain supplies of safe drinking water and we recommend that you boil and filter all water or carry a supply of water purification tablets.