"Osvaldo Das Neves denounces the marginalization of intellectuals and the cancer of bootlicking in Mozambique"

Osvaldo Das Neves, an academic and researcher at Eduardo Mondlane University, stated during a television program that Mozambique has systematically marginalized its best intellectuals and fostered a culture of "sycophancy" which he considers the greatest cancer for the nation. Criticizing the appointment of the Rector by the Head of State and the politicization of thought, the researcher warned that the country needs to combat betrayal of the nation's goals, not the brains that produce science and innovation.

It was with a tone of indignation and critical lucidity that the renowned academic and researcher from Eduardo Mondlane University, Osvaldo Das Neves, participated in a television program, offering a profound reflection on the current state of the Mozambican nation. According to the researcher, the country has systematically marginalized its best minds, in a pattern that, he argues, dates back to the time of the first heroes of independence.

According to Osvaldo Das Neves, the list of intellectuals and visionary leaders who have been silenced or assassinated is extensive and painful: from the founder of FRELIMO himself, Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane, to Siba-Siba Macuacua, and Samora Moisés Machel, among others. For the academic, this succession of losses was not a mere coincidence, but rather a reflection of a political culture that fears free thought and innovation.

“We are left here deceiving ourselves and feeding the sycophants,” he stated, referring to those who, in his view, bow to power in exchange for favors and privileges. And he added vehemently: “This sycophancy is the greatest cancer for this nation.”

Addressing the government directly, the researcher warned: “If you are listening to me, fighting Osvaldo Das Neves is not the solution. On the contrary, those who should be fought in Mozambique are not the brains, nor those who give the best lectures at universities or produce excellent scientific articles. Rather, those who betray the nation's purposes to urgently satisfy their personal needs, within the context of bootlicking, should be fought.”

For Das Neves, the great challenge facing the country is the predominance of "partisan minds." That is, when someone produces innovative ideas or presents proposals, the first concern is to know their political affiliation—which, in his opinion, is profoundly wrong and limiting.

As an example, the academic shared his own bureaucratic experience: “I, who am speaking here, have had a document in a public office for more than three months and, until now, it hasn't been processed. I suspect there's an order coming from the highest level. What is my sin? Is it because I'm a genius? Because I was a competent student and had a brilliant project?”

With these words, the researcher made it clear that Mozambique possesses intellectuals and scientists capable of producing transformative results to save the nation. However, he lamented that, in many decision-making spaces, individuals prevail whose sole objective is to "satisfy their stomach problems," to the detriment of the common good and the sustainable development of the country.