Born in 1950, Richard Gray lives in London. He has worked in teaching, community publishing and people's history, but none of these experiences was more memorable or formative than being a "cooperante internacionalista" in newly independent Mozambique (1977-1981). Richard taught History in the northern province of Nampula. A highlight was working with Malangatana on a national campaign to reclaim Mozambican history and culture from five centuries of colonial repression. The friendship which began then informs this book.