Josina Z. Machel (1976–) is the daughter of two prominent African politicians and the stepdaughter of another. She was born to the late president of Mozambique Samora Machel, who died (possibly murdered) in a plane crash in 1986. Her mother, Machel’s second wife Graça Simbine Machel, a prominent Mozambican activist, later married Nelson Mandela. Renowned for his opposition to apartheid, Mandela became the first Black head of state in South African history. Machel attended the University of Cape Town, majoring in sociology and political science. She went on to study at the London School of Economics and earned a master of science degree in the same fields.