How did Mozambique's Frelimo use theatre for education and propaganda?

In Mozambique, the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) utilized theatre as a strategic tool for education and propaganda, both before and after the country achieved independence in 1975.1

To facilitate this, Frelimo established the Grupo Cénico das Forças Populares de Libertação. This group performed didactic plays designed to communicate the ruling ideology of the state and to highlight the perceived injustices of colonial rule. A notable example of this approach was the 1975 production of Chibalo by Marcos Francisco Tembe, which served as a didactic piece illustrating the evils of colonialism.1

This style of theatre, characterized by its confident delivery of political messages, remained a significant feature of the Mozambican cultural landscape well into the post-independence era. By integrating these performances into their broader political efforts, Frelimo effectively used the stage to shape public consciousness and reinforce their revolutionary objectives.1