Ramiros – The remains of former ANGOP journalist João Manuel Damba were buried on Sunday at the Benfica Cemetery, in Luanda, in a ceremony witnessed by family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.
The retired journalist died last Wednesday in one of Luanda's hospitals, after suffering from an illness.
In the company's eulogy, ANGOP remembers João Damba as an outstanding professional who carried out his mission with great responsibility and a sense of duty, highlighting that he left his mark with his skills, a remarkable and inspiring career, and leaves an important legacy for future generations.
“At this time of sadness and consternation, the Board of Directors and the collective of employees of the Angola Press Agency bow before the memory of the deceased, expressing their condolences to the bereaved family”, it states.
For ANGOP, death which marks the passage of life into a new dimension, is difficult to accept, but the memories of his role within the family, friends and colleagues with whom he shared his entire life will remain.
The funeral ceremony was attended by ANGOP's Director of Information, Santos Rosa, among other professionals in the journalism profession.
On behalf of the family, Manuel Marques Damba, his younger brother, highlighted João Damba's qualities as an easygoing, counselor, polite, sensitive and friendly person with everyone.
Son of Manuel João Damba and Marta Miguel Marques Manuel, he was born on August 30, 1966, in the Nelito Soares neighborhood, Rangel municipality, Luanda.
He attended primary school in Luanda, completed his secondary education in Social Care in 1999, and graduated in Social Work from the João Paulo II Higher Institute, from the Catholic University of Angola, on December 28, 2018.
João Damba joined ANGOP as a trainee journalist on February 3, 1987 and signed his employment contract on February 25, 1988, as a fulltime journalist. In 1992, he became Sub-Editor of the Social Desk.
In 2007, he held the position of Social Desk Editor, working alternately at the Headquarters and at the ANGOP Sub-delegation at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport.
During his professional career, he was appointed Provincial Delegate of ANGOP in Uíge Province in 2018. He was also the Coordinator of the ANGOP Office in the Municipality of Cacuaco (Luanda) in 2022 and then he was transferred to the Maianga Office in 2023.
João Damba retired on 13 September 2023, 35 years after signing his employment contract with the only state-owned news agency in Angola.
JJD/AKA/OHA/MRA/jmc
