Malanje - The Minister of State for the Social Affairs, Maria do Rosário Bragança, on Monday considered National Independence the greatest prize achieved in 1975 by Angolans, with the decisive struggle and resistance that they decided to wage from 1961 onwards, to end colonial subjugation.
Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, at the Central Act of the 49th anniversary of National Independence, marked today, the minister, who made a brief historical review of the date, recalled that the bravery of Angolans to put an end to the colonialist yoke culminated in the freedom of the peoples in 1975.
'It is this tradition of resistance that has always characterized the Angolan people, so on this date, I reiterate a simple tribute to the memory of those who gave their lives for the freedom and dignity of the Angolan people, because without this sacrifice we would be far from achieving Independence,' she said.
She recognized the support provided by Angola's friends and allies that helped the Angolan combatants to achieve the long-awaited Independence.
She pointed out that as one moves forward as a free nation, one must honor those who believed in and supported Angola's right to self-determination and freedom.
On this date, she recalled some relevant aspects that markedly conditioned the development of the country, namely the massive and indiscriminate flight of staff from the most diverse fields of knowledge and levels of socialization, which ensured the functioning of the public administration and other sectors.
She recognized that in 1975 the country had an illiteracy rate of 85 percent and to change this scenario, in addition to hiring foreign advisors for almost all functions, the first President of Angola, Agostinho Neto, launched in 1976 a broad literacy campaign and began the massive training of cadres, sending thousands of young people to various countries, a task that continues to this day.
'It was with these cadres and those who remained in the country that the redefinition of their own destinies and the construction of Angola without any type of discrimination began and that should make all its children proud,' she said.
On the other hand, she pointed to the province of Malanje as one of the great symbols of resistance against colonial occupation, slavery and humiliation, having exalted the figure of Ngola Kiluanje and Nginga a Mbande, who in this territory fought incessant battles with the Portuguese colonialists.
She informed that it was in Malanje that one of the most significant revolts and of great symbolism of the anti-colonial struggle took place on January 4, 1961, in Baixa de Cassanje, hence the Executive is committed to the construction of the monuments of the kingdom of Ndongo and Matamba, in the locality of Muculu-a-ngola, in the municipality of Marimba, with the aim of honoring these heroes.
Reconstruction and national reconciliation
The minister recalled that the Government launched a broad programme of reconstruction and national reconciliation, which allowed, on the one hand, the recovery of infrastructures that serve as a basis to promote the country's progress and, on the other hand, to forgive each other to walk together towards the development of Angola.
She recognized that national reconciliation is a fundamental pillar for progress and national unity, so it appears to be a commitment to truth and justice, and represents an invitation to all Angolans to put aside the animosities of the past and embrace the multicultural diversity that characterizes the country.
In this way, she reiterated that national reconciliation is not just a task for one generation, but for all and that it must be consolidated in daily life, even with small gestures that help to heal wounds and overcome mistrust.
She made it known that the country's path since 1975 has been to build a united Angola for all its citizens, where differences of origin, ethnicity, belief and others, are respected and celebrated as part of the national strength, leaving no one behind.
“As I said, unity must be the greatest strength and the cornerstone on which commitment and strengthening is reaffirmed, and only through it can a prosperous, democratic and peaceful nation be built, valuing the rich cultural mosaic and the preservation of peace, a valuable asset that must be defended by all”.
The act that took place at the Palanca Negra Gigante gaming pavilion, under the motto 'November 11, National Unity, Production and Sustainable Development', was witnessed by the provincial governor, Marcos Nhunga, ministers and secretaries of state. PBC/DOJ
