7 November 2008
Maputo — Election campaigns from both the ruling Frelimo Party and the main opposition party, Renamo, descended at the same time on Friday on the T3 market in the southern city of Matola.
The Renamo candidate for mayor of Matola, Jose Samo Gudo, arrived first, but while he was talking to some of the market vendors, a dozen young campaigners, wearing T-shirts bearing the portrait of the Frelimo candidate Arao Nhancale arrived in the market, chanting slogans and calling on the vendors and their clients to vote for Frelimo.
At one point they blocked Samo Gudo's advance through the market, a clearly provocative move. But he avoided confrontation and took his supporters off in a different direction.
Samo Gudo promised that, if elected, he would improve conditions in the T3 market, ensuring that the stalls are covered, and that running water becomes available.
He said that water supply is a problem throughout Matola. Even where piped water exists, he claimed, often the water pressure is too low for water to reach the taps.
Samo Gudo also promised to rehabilitate key roads in the municipality, such as that which runs from the Infulene Valley to the T3 neighbourhood. This should be a key road for moving crops grown in Infulene.
One vendor asked Samo Gudo to reduce the price of rice, if he becomes mayor. He said that was beyond his powers. "If I tell you I will reduce the price of rice, I will be lying", he said. "But I can tell those responsible for this area that the people are complaining about prices".
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