Africa-Press – Angola. The revolt of peasants in the Baixa de Cassanje region against the Portuguese colonial regime boosted the country’s achievement of national independence, former guerrillas said in Caxito.
Gathered at a round table with the aim of marking the Revolt of Baixa de Cassanje, which is being celebrated today, the ex-combatants referred to the need to transmit to new generations the importance of the date and the objectives achieved.
Speaking to the press, Gomes Freitas Mateus, a former guerrilla fighter, said that the revolt in downtown Cassanje was part of the events that encouraged Angolans to fight against the colonial regime, therefore, he said, it should be explained to younger people.
Gomes Mateus recalled the activities carried out at the time, especially the patriotic songs which, in his opinion, “made the country tremble”.
Luciano Chila, also a former combatant, considered the date to be a day of reflection and asked youth to promote a culture of peace and national reconciliation.
Eugénia Mateus, also a former guerrilla fighter, said that the events of January 4th allowed the armed struggle to advance and gave way to independence and the fight for the development of Angola.
The director of the Bengo Provincial Office of Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, Óscar Bangula, stressed that the new generation must know the sacrifices made by Angolans during the colonial era.
He asked former combatants to contribute to the development of the country, creating agricultural and professional cooperatives as well as other actions aimed at increasing national production.
The peasant revolt of the former Portuguese-Belgian Cotonang company took place on January 4, 1961, in Malanje, due to the mistreatment to which they were subjected.
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