Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Friday carried his campaign for re-election to Chibabava district, in the central province of Sofala, the birthplace of his rival Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the former rebel movement Renamo.

At a rally in the small town of Muxungue, on the main north-south highway, local residents who spoke claimed that one of Guebuza's achievements over the past five years has been to eliminate "mental laziness" among many Mozambique, which has led to an increase in production.

A man named Fernando Raul declared "We thank you for everything you have done for us. The people were strong but suffered from mental laziness. Among many of us this no longer exists thanks to your efforts".

Guebuza's campaign reached Muxungue just six days after this town, and the district capital, Chibabava town, had been linked to the national electricity grid based on the Cahora Bassa dam, as part of the drive by the publicly owned electricity company, EDM, to bring power to all of Mozambique's 128 districts.

Guebuza urged the local population to use the electricity to create wealth. The district produces cashew nuts and pineapples - Guebuza pointed out that only now, with the availability of electrical power, would it be possible to set up factories to process these crops.

During the rally, residents expressed their satisfaction at the school, health and telecommunications network, but asked Guebuza to provide more sources of clean drinking water.

As in other parts of the country, Guebuza warned his supporters not to be complacent. Everybody must go out and vote on 28 October, he said, even if they think the result is a foregone conclusion.

"It means nothing to say that somebody's already won", he stressed. "Victory is only guaranteed with votes, and not with words".