Talatona - Musician and composer Sam Mangwana was decorated on Friday in Luanda with the gold medal of merit for Arts, Sciences and Letters, by the embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Angola.
Sam Mangwana was honored for his 60-year career and recognition as one of the great promoters of the 'Congolese Rumba', a musical genre recognized in December 2021 by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, who was speaking at the ceremony, described Sam Mangwana as a universal citizen, an outstanding ambassador, whose contribution to the vital branch of international relations, which is cultural diplomacy, should inspire scholars and practitioners of music.
The governor recalled that the honoree, at the age of 18 at the beginning of his career, in the company of other artists of the time, found in music a space for the expression of revolutionary ideas, for denouncing colonialism, melancholy, but also celebrated love and shared life lessons.
'He was called a moralist because he brought in the song, his contribution to the moralization of society,' he said.
The ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accredited to Angola, Kalala Costantin, who presided over the event, said that Sam Mangwana is a symbol of dignity and fraternity between the two peoples.
For the Angolan Minister of Culture, Filipe Zau, Sam Mangwana's musical career represents the recognition of the existence of two brother peoples, united by common identity strands that aspire to the same future of friendship, cooperation, and increasingly strengthened peace between countries.
He said that the artist personifies the bridge that unites Angola and Congo, sister states and neighbors that have the most precious culture, the songs sung by him are edifying, promoting peace and unity between the two peoples.
Biography
Samuel Mangwana was born on February 21, 1945, in Leopoldville, now Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mangwana's parents were from Mucaba, Uige province, Angola.
Mangwana made his professional debut in 1963 with the Congo-Kinshasa rumba band African Fiesta, owned and led by Tabu Ley Rochereau.
Works such as Maria Tembo, Rumba Music, Bone Annee, Lubamba, Fatimata, Georgete, Galo Negro and others are part of the artist's repertoire. MAG/DOJ
