In these two volumes of “Crónicas de um Insubmisso” [Chronicles of an Insubmissive], Hélder Martins collects, organises and deals with what he has written throughout his life - a life that has not only been long but full, given everything he went through over seven decades and in which he actively participated of his own free will.

These two volumes, designed for younger readers, are a comprehensive collection of articles, speeches, letters, interviews and extracts from books by Hélder Martins. The first volume contains texts that allow us to better understand the struggle against colonial fascism, the National Liberation Struggle, and the first years of Independence in Mozambique. The second volume focuses on the construction of Health in Mozambique, in texts such as the intervention in the economic and social directives of governance in Mozambique, part of the construction of an independent Mozambique. 

Presented by Maria Paula Meneses (CES) and João Nuno Paixão Corrêa Cardoso (UC Faculty of Arts and Humanities)

About the author
Hélder Martins was born in 1936 in Maputo, Mozambique. In 1953, he went to study medicine in Lisbon, where he graduated in 1961. He was a student activist in the Pro-Association Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and in the Casa dos Estudantes do Império, having played an important role, first in the fight to end the 1st Administrative Committee imposed by this association, and then in its management.
Martins was an active militant against fascism and colonialism. He joined the compulsory military service in the navy, deserted in November 1961 and went to Tanganyika, where he was accepted into UDENA-MO. He was a founder of Frelimo, took part in his country’s national liberation struggle and was director of Frelimo’s health services. He worked closely with Eduardo Mondlane, Samora Machel, Marcelino dos Santos and Joaquim Chissano. In the post-independence period, he was Minister of Health for five years. He was also a senior official at the WHO, where, after retiring, he took part in and led various expert committees. He taught public health in several countries in Africa, Europe and Latin America. Martins holds an Honorary Doctorate in Health Sciences and Education and has several honours and diplomas of merit. He has published extensively, and this is his 8th book.