Ondjiva - The winners of the third edition of the "Writing to remember King Mandume ya Ndemufayo" Literary Prize will be announced at a public ceremony to be held on 6 February, the Cunene Provincial Government (GPC) confirmed on Monday in Ondjiva.
According to the GPC's Culture, Tourism and Youth and Sport office, the date was chosen to mark the 107th anniversary of the death of the sovereign of Cunene, in order to keep his legacy alive and cement the achievements of this "fearless monarch" in the memories of the new generation.
Speaking to ANGOP, the director of the Office, Nelson Ndelimukuata, stressed that, as well as honouring and perpetuating the legacy of the sovereign of the Ovakwanhamas, the Prize also aims to encourage literary creation through texts in Portuguese in the poetry genres, short stories and opinion pieces.
He added that it is also intended to dignify and enhance the figure of King Mandume, by highlighting his life and work, political thought, the organisation of his kingdom and the struggle to resist colonial occupation,
The official recalled that contestants must submit their texts to the municipal administrations and culture offices to be assessed by the judging panel.
The period for receiving applications, which began on 20 December, ends on 20 January.
The last edition of the award, launched in 2022, was won by Belgines Dias in the poetry category, Yolanda Ndamonamwene with a short story and Timóteo Kon Djeni in the category of opinion piece.
King Mandume headed the destiny of the Ovakwanyama people during one of the most difficult periods in the history of southern Angola, from 1911 to 1917, when the Portuguese colonial regime wanted to occupy the entire southern part of the country at all costs.
In order not to surrender, he died by his own decision, committing suicide on 6 February 1917 in the town of Oihole, where he was buried, the official explained.
However, to honour the figure of King Mandume-ya-Ndemufayo, in 2000 the Angolan government built a tourist complex in his memory in the town of Oihole, where his remains lie. FI/LHE/IZ/MRA/DOJ
