Mackenzie served as a military leader with National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita).
[1] Previously part of UNITA, Mackenzie's forces have been largely integrated into the FAA under the Lusaka Protocol.
He was one of six equal founding members of Lumanhe Extração Mineira, Importação e Exportação (commonly called "the generals’ company", since five of the six are generals), a diamond mining operation.
[3] Mackenzie's company has a 15% stake in the Sociedade Mineira do Cuango.
[4][5] His wife, Anabela Chissende, sits on the board of Sadisse.