Mozambique ‘Tree Baby’ Dies at 25: A Life Remembered

Rosita Salvador Mabuiango, known as the “miracle baby” born in a tree during Mozambique’s devastating 2000 floods, has died at the age of 25 after a long illness, her sister told the BBC.

Mozambique’s 2000 Floods and Rosita’s Rescue

The image of Rosita and her mother, Carolina Cecilia Chirindza, being winched to safety by a South African helicopter became a defining symbol of the floods – Mozambique’s worst ever natural disaster. Hundreds died and hundreds of thousands were displaced when the Limpopo River burst its banks in February 2000.

Rosita’s mother was caught up in the crisis and, with her two young children, climbed into a tree to escape the rising waters. “It was a Sunday afternoon about four o’clock, and the waters began rising,” the Red Cross quoted Carolina as saying in 2000. “The water was coming right up to the house… we headed for the trees.”

Carolina went into labour while in the tree and gave birth to Rosita. The Guardian reported that Carolina’s mother-in-law held a sarong to catch the baby, preventing her from falling into the floodwater. They were discovered by a South African military helicopter still connected by the umbilical cord.

A Symbol for Mozambique

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo described Rosita as a symbol for girls in the country. “My God. Very bad news. My condolences to the bereaved family,” Chapo told the BBC on Monday. “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 grew up in the Chibuto area where she was born and graduated from high school. She had a daughter five years ago.

Illness and Death

On Monday, Rosita’s sister, Celia Salvador, confirmed her death to the BBC, stating she “passed away after a prolonged illness. I’m extremely sad. She died of an illness I am unable to explain what it was.” Family sources indicated Rosita had been battling anaemia for years and had been hospitalized for over two weeks before her death on Monday morning. Her mother also told a local TV station that Rosita was suffering from tuberculosis.

Despite a government promise to fund her education, Rosita was unable to secure a scholarship to study petrochemical engineering after high school, according to family members.

Political analyst Charles Mangwiro described Rosita’s death as a “wake-up call for the government to improve service delivery in the entire health system in the country.” He noted ongoing issues with unpaid salaries for health professionals and shortages of essential medical supplies.

The mayor of Chibuto, Henriques Machava, stated that arrangements for Rosita’s funeral are being discussed with the family and will be covered by the municipality.