Traditionally associated with poverty and marginalization, Mafalala has undergone a significant transformation driven by the work of the IVERCA Association, a youth organization founded in 2009 that promotes cultural and sustainable tourism in this historic neighborhood.
Composed of 31 members and 14 collaborators, IVERCA's main mission is to integrate the local community into the tourism process, ensuring that the cultural and historical appreciation of Mafalala brings direct benefits to the inhabitants.
The neighborhood is home to around 25,000 people and stands out for its religious and linguistic diversity, being a space where Christians and Muslims coexist and where languages such as Portuguese, Xizhonga, Xichangana and Swahili are spoken.
According to Laranjeira, Inverca stands out by providing an authentic and genuinely Mozambican tourist experience, allowing visitors to not only get to know Mafalala, but also experience its traditions and rich cultural heritage.
One of the most impactful initiatives promoted by IVERCA is the Mafalala Walking Tour, a guided tour that takes visitors to see the main historical sites of the neighborhood. The tour highlights emblematic streets and illustrious figures who have marked the history of Mozambique, becoming an essential tool for revaluing local identity.
Another notable project is the Mafalala Festival, which transcends the cultural sphere and establishes itself as an advocacy platform.
“Created to combat the marginalized view of the neighborhood, the festival has become an instrument of pressure on the competent central and municipal tourism structures, as a way of recognizing Mafalala’s tourism potential,” he explains.
For Ivan Laranjeira, the event not only celebrates cultural heritage, but also strengthens the fight for the community’s right to actively participate in the neighborhood’s tourism and economic development.
“The festival reinforces the organization’s commitment to transforming tourism into a driver of sustainable development, ensuring that the community itself plays a leading role in strengthening and promoting its identity,” he says.
Ivan Laranjeira, coordinator of the IVERCA association and director of the Mafalala Museum, was speaking during an international virtual debate on “Tourism, Territory and Self-Determination: Anti-Capitalist Approaches and Expectations”.
(By Rafael Langa)
