Luanda - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MINCULTUR) foresees, for the year 2024, the laying of the first stone for the reconstruction of the “Mbanza dos Ngola” and the “Mukulo Angola” Memorials, where the tombs of King Ngola Kiluange kia Samba and Queen Nzinga Mbandi are located, minister Philip Nzau said on Wednesday in Luanda.
Filipe Nzau, who was speaking about the sector's prospects for the next year 2024, stressed that within days, a cultural center of excellence will be inaugurated in the city of Huambo, an achievement achieved due to a serious commitment to work that counted on everyone's commitment.
He pointed out that the country's capital is also one of the cities contemplated with the same type of infrastructure and that MINCULTUR is developing studies for the construction of the Museum of Resistance.
He said that the project for the reconstruction, in Mbanza Congo, of the ancient kingdom of Kongo, the 'Sona', the drawings in the sand, traditionally made by the Cokwe communities, which have become the first Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Angola, have already been approved.
The beginning of studies with a UNESCO specialist, to make 'Semba' the next Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as the recovery of museum pieces that were outside, and which will soon be exhibited at the Museum of Anthropology, are other actions planned by the sector in 2024, according to Filipe Zau.
Still on the path of the planned cultural projects, the governor pointed out the beginning of the construction works of a new national library and the payment for the restoration of the Fortress of São Francisco do Penedo, which will be the future Museum of the National Liberation Struggle.
With regard to tourism, he considered that he leaves 2023 with a significant balance of structuring activities, having exemplified the opening of tourist visas for more than 80 countries, the construction of the Zip Line for the Miradouro da Lua, budgeted at US$1.5 million, as well as a multisectoral commission to work on the Cabo Ledo Pole and the launch of the first Investor Forum for the Okavango region.
A National Plan for the Promotion of Tourism (PLANATUR) to facilitate access and internal mobility of tourists, budgeted at 276 billion kwanzas, signing of Memoranda of Understanding, which will trigger greater actions and more responsibilities at the national level, are also part of the structuring activities, according to the minister.
“The degree of expectations towards our Ministry of Culture and Tourism has increased, so that the General State Budget for 2024 has grown by about 118% compared to 2023, as well as the degree of accountability towards the sector”, he said.
Also regarding the structuring activities of the culture sector, he reaffirmed that the ministry leaves 2023 with a significant balance of actions carried out, such as the celebration of Carnival throughout the country and the growth in the number of artists interested in acquiring the Professional Card.
He said that MINCULTUR plans to continue to support cooperation between the National Union of Artists and Composers (UNAC) and the Association of Hotels and Resorts of Angola (AHRA), aiming at greater employability of cultural arts makers.
According to the minister, the year about to end has awakened to the need to revise the Patronage Law, as well as the laying of the first stone for the construction of the Palace of Music and Theatre and the Artist's House. Chalk/MAG/DOJ
