João Somane Machado was born in Morrumbene, Inhambane, Mozambique, on May 16, 1946. He was assistant to the bishop at the time of his election to the episcopacy. João Machado taught African Theology, Philology, and Bantu Ethics at the Ricatla Seminary. He was headmaster and a teacher at Cambine Theological School. He served pastorates at Malhangalene, Cambine, and Machava. Bishop Machado holds a B.D. in Theology from the Methodist School of Theology in Brazil, and an advanced degree, also in Theology, from the Protestant Faculty of Theology in Kinshasa, Zaire. He is married to Nocia Madonela Machado and they have four children