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The Rhodesia Herald,

 February 20, 1970 

THE “shocking behaviour” of many South African visitors to Mozambique was strongly attacked at Lourenco Marques Town Council meeting yesterday. 

Councillor Armando Pedroso Lima complained in strong terms about rowdy tourists who walked scantily clad and barefoot in the streets and even swam in the nude at local beaches.

“Visiting people, mainly from the Republic adopt attitudes here that they would not dare try in their home cities,” he said.

“Many are seen in shops and in restaurants in swimming suits and barefoot, which is inadmissible.”

Mr Lima also mentioned Press reports of tourists detained for disturbing the public order who refused to be taken into custody by African policemen.

“Our policemen, European, and non-European, have the same status and powers and must be obeyed in every circumstance. We cannot tolerate the attitude taken by some visitors in this respect.”

He also quoted complaints from local people about tourists bathing in the nude at the city’s beaches, with complete disregard for the most elementary principles of decency.

“Our main concern is to do the utmost to make tourists feel at home among us in a friendly atmosphere, but we cannot tolerate such abuses,” he said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

When in Rome do as the Romans do. When people travel to other places they should always respect the customs and laws in those places to stay clear of trouble.

Authority knows no colour. The colour of one’s skin does not discount one’s authority. Every person in authority should be respected.

If you are a visitor, it is important not to abuse the hospitality of the host.

Although tourism brings in a lot of money, communities should not sacrifice their cultural norms and values on the altar of expediency for the sake of money.

Lourenco Marques became Maputo after Mozambique attained its independence in 1975.