Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, considered Sam Mangwana to be an outstanding ambassador of African culture and music in the world. These statements were made at the ceremony to award the gold medal for merit in the arts, sciences and letters.
The event took place at the Talatona Convention Center, an initiative of the Democratic Republic of Congo, through its embassy, which recognizes the musician as one of the main references of Congolese rumba, a musical style classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity in December 2021 and for his musical contribution throughout the world, above all, to pan-African values and African memory.
The artist’s award ceremony took place at the Talatona Convention Center, in the country’s capital, and was attended by the DRC ambassador to Angola, Kalala Constantino, the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, and Culture, Filipe Zau, as well as other individuals.
On the occasion, Tete António considered the honoree as an outstanding ambassador of African culture and music, given his inspiring trajectory for cultural diplomacy. As an artist, he expresses feelings of hope, reflecting the aspirations of a young Angolan, who through music, “found a voice to fight and dream of a free and independent Angola”, said the minister, praising the musician’s legacy for Angolan history and identity.
“Sam Mangwana is one of the main Congolese rumba artists and contributes greatly to cultural diplomacy”, reiterated Téte António, for whom “culture is our soul and this characterizes us as a people”.
Along the same lines of thought, historian Mbala Vita was a speaker at the event at the debate conference on the theme “The problem of cultural and sociological borders of African countries in relation to political borders: How to manage so that Angola and the DRC do not have problems due to their common borders”.
The professor highlighted the territorial proximity, brotherhood between peoples and demarcated the borders. Throughout the debate, he reflected on the cultural interconnections and the challenges of the borders shared between the two African countries. The historian also mentioned that Angola and the DRC challenge each other to maintain peace and tranquility.
In his speech, Mbala Vita mentioned three important points, the first of which was about a borderless Africa, the second about the Berlin conference, while the third discussed Portuguese and the local community.
Vast contribution to cultural wealth
When awarding the gold medal of the State of the DRC, Kalala Constantin explained that the services provided to the Congolese nation and the artistic value that contributes to the African continent as a regional cultural vector were decisive for this recognition.
“Therefore, it was decided to reward the talent of musician and composer Sam Mangwana, who is one of the tenors of modern Congolese music, whose contribution was significant in the acceptance of Congolese rumba.”
On behalf of the President of the Republic and Head of State of the DRC, he also presented an honorary diploma and offered a vehicle in recognition of his vast contribution to African culture.
Sam Mangwana expressed his satisfaction at the public recognition. “This gesture goes straight to the heart, so I thank the embassy and the President of the DRC for this distinction.”
It plays an important role in the unification of peoples
On the occasion, the Minister of Culture stated that the tribute to Sam Mangwana is deserved and, above all, has a very important meaning. Filipe Zau highlighted that culture plays a preponderant role in the unification of peoples, of the spirit and also in the political agenda.
“This is an extremely moving message that we have just received. I believe that Sam Mangwana has delivered his best show and greatest performance.”
The governor admitted that the honoree was indisputably recognized as one of the greatest disseminators of “Congolese rumba”, the musician is, for sociocultural reasons, also a promoter of this musical style in Angola.
“In addition to its musical relevance, Congolese rumba also has political relevance, due to the role it played in the independence of the two Congos, which occurred in 1960, 15 years before the liberation of Angola.”
Everyone surrendered to the greatness of Uncle António’s nephew
Musician Dodó Miranda recognizes the musical greatness of his colleague and feels very moved to witness the award given to musician and composer Sam Mangwana. “As a colleague, I feel very pleased to see the elder Mangwana feeling fulfilled and honored to have been alive.”
Sam Mangwana, he continued, is an icon of African and world music, so I believe we are facing an emblematic and living figure for Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In turn, Kyaku Kyadaff said that the tribute to Sam Mangwana is deserved and took the opportunity to appeal to institutions to honor people while they are alive.
From the community, Professor Célia Fungula emphasized that the tribute to this icon of African music comes at an opportune time. “The musician worked hard for five decades and is now being recognized for his achievements.”
Junior Amorim, a cultural promoter and another guest at the tribute night, applauded the DRC’s gesture of recognizing one of the greatest African musicians. “Sam Mangwana is the master of rumba in Africa and in the world in general.”
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