Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, expressed, this Thursday, “deep consternation” over the death of Angolan nationalist Rui Mingas, in Lisbon (Portugal), at the age of 84, victim of illness.
According to a note sent to ANGOP, the Head of State considers Rui Mingas to be a highly prestigious personality, who on several fronts and in different roles represented the country with talent, competence and dignity.
“With deep consternation, I received the sad news of Rui Mingas’ passing”, the message reads. He recalls that he began by raising Angola's name in professional athletics in Portugal and, from an early age, established himself as a composer and singer, as a symbol of resistance against colonial power.
By way of example, the note states, 'several classics of Angolan music belong to Rui Mingas, including the music of the National Anthem”.
He adds that, in independent Angola, he held positions of political responsibility, both internally and externally, and civically, having been a Member of the Parliament to the National Assembly, Secretary of State for Physical Education and Sports, Ambassador and rector of a private university. “
His passing impoverishes our country and leaves his family and a vast legion of friends and co-workers in mourning.
To everyone, in particular his widow and children, we express our condolences and our feelings of regret”, the Angolan statesman concluded.
One of the authors of the lyrics of the National Anthem of Angola, together with the writer Manuel Rui Monteiro, Rui Mingas actively participated in the process that culminated in the independence of Angola, on November 11, 1975, at the end of almost five centuries of Portuguese colonization.
From his record work, "Cantiga por Luciana”, "Poema da farra”, "Makezu”, "Muadiakimi”, "Birin birin”, "Monagambé”, "Adeus à hora da partida” e "Meninos do Huambo” stand out. MCN/DOJ
