Rosita Salvador Mabuiango, widely recognized for her birth in a tree during the severe Mozambique floods of 2000, has died at the age of 25 following a prolonged illness.
Her birth and subsequent rescue, alongside her mother Carolina Cecilia Chirindza, by a South African helicopter became a prominent image of the disaster.
Background of the 2000 Floods and Birth
In February 2000, the Limpopo river in southern Mozambique overflowed, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. Carolina Cecilia Chirindza, who was pregnant, sought refuge in a tree with her two young children to escape the rising floodwaters. Rosita was born while her mother was stranded in the tree. Four days later, a South African military helicopter located and rescued Carolina and the newborn.
Rosita and her mother subsequently traveled to the United States in 2000 to address Congress and raise awareness about the impact of the floods. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has described Rosita as a symbol for girls in the country. Rosita grew up in the Chibuto area, where she graduated from high school, and became a mother to a daughter five years prior to her death.
Details of Death
Her sister, Celia Salvador, confirmed her passing, noting it followed a prolonged illness. Family sources indicated Rosita had been battling anaemia for several years. The worsening of her condition led to her hospitalization for over two weeks, where she died on Monday morning.
Reactions and Implications
President Chapo extended his condolences, reaffirming Rosita's symbolic importance for Mozambican girls. Political analyst Charles Mangwiro suggested that her death highlights the necessity for government action to improve healthcare service delivery, referencing issues such as unpaid salaries for health professionals and shortages of essential supplies. Chibuto Mayor Henriques Machava announced that the municipality would manage the funeral arrangements in coordination with the family.