An OC legacy ... or two

Chude Mondlane continues family tradition set by activist father

The old clichè is "Like father, like son." But with a recent student enrollment, it's more like "Like father, like daughter."

Chude Mondlane, daughter of slain Mozambican leader and Oberlin graduate Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane, OC '53, enrolled in the College this semester based on impressions she received from attending a conference honoring her father last semester.

"During my visit here during the conference I got a chance to look around Oberlin and I was very impressed," she said. Mondlane feels that Oberlin is also a good place for her eight-year old daughter, who lives with her on campus.

The pair arrived at Oberlin from Mozambique a week before classes started, to run right into the very first winter her daughter had ever seen.

"She loves snowballs," Mondlane said. "Everyday when we go outside I get bombarded with snowballs."

Mondlane left college about 10 years ago, when she became pregnant with her daughter. She says that she has always wanted to go back to school, however, out of the pure hunger to learn. But returning to school after all these years has not been the easiest transition for Mondlane. "I find it really difficult to be back studying again!" she said.

Besides the work, Mondlane has found Oberlin an easy place to settle into.

"I'm very pleased myself. I'm really enjoying all the possibilities that Oberlin has to offer. The first week I had to pinch myself ... it was quite a shock."

Mondlane said her family is very supportive of decision to attend Oberlin, which her mother Janet Mondlane said was "one of Eduardo’s favorite places."

Eduardo Mondlane was a forerunner in the fight which lead to the independence of Mozambique. The Front for Mozambican Liberation, a guerilla organization, was formed in 1962 with Eduardo Mondlane as its president.

Eduardo Mondlane, who felt that at a certain point violence was necessary, led the group in an armed resistance against the Portugese government in 1965. He was killed in a mail bomb attack in 1969, but five years later the country gained its independence from the Portugese government.

The Oberlin chapter of the Friends of Eduardo Mondlane organization, which came into being from the conference, is currently working to create a web-page for the Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane Foundation. The group consists of four college students, whose ranks Mondlane says she would like to join once she has more space to adjust to the community.

"For a long time Oberlin has sort of forgotten about him," she said. "Many didn't realize his contribution to the shape of African politics. Hopefully we can change that." Mondlane hopes to start that change in revamping the lighting around the plaque of her father in Peters Hall. The current lighting does little to illuminate the plaque, and Mondlane said, "I would like to see a light above it."

In the meantime, Chude Mondlane has to adjust to another change: the food. "I'm trying to adjust culturally with what to eat, what to cook up!" she said.