Rosita, born in a tree during Mozambique floods, dies at 25
The family of 25-year-old Mozambican Rosita Salvador Mabuiango who made headlines due to the extraordinary circumstances of her birth died after a long battle with illness.
Mabuiango was born in a tree in the tiny village of Chokwe in Mozambique. It’s an image which is easily recalled by many people. It’s a picture which alerted people around the world to the plight of the hundreds of thousands caught up in the catastrophic floods in 2000.
Nearly 200 000 people were saved in a massive rescue effort, 700 died and countless lives were ruined by the devastating waters. But the image of Sofia Chubango giving birth in a tree is probably the only thing people will remember.
Speaking to the BBC, her sister Celia Salvador said Rosita had “passed away after a prolonged illness” and added: “I’m extremely sad. She died of an illness I am unable to explain what it was.”
According to the broadcaster, other relatives said Rosita had suffered for years from the blood disorder anaemia, which had recently become worse. She had been admitted to hospital more than two weeks ago as her condition deteriorated and later died in the early hours of Monday.
Her mother later told a local television station that Rosita had also been diagnosed with tuberculosis, compounding the seriousness of her health problems.
News of her death was also confirmed by the country’s president, who told the BBC: “My God. Very bad news. My condolences to the bereaved family.”
He added that Rosita’s life had carried national importance, saying: “She was a symbol for girls in Mozambique. That’s why, I extend my condolences to all the Mozambican people, especially to Mozambican girls.”
Rosita was born and raised in the rural district of Chibuto, where she completed her schooling and later graduated from high school. She became a mother five years ago and remained close to her family in the community.
However, her relatives say her ambitions were cut short after she failed to secure a promised government scholarship to study petrochemical engineering. Despite assurances that her education would be funded from primary school through to higher education, the family said that support never materialised.
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