Africa-Press – Angola. Former Angolan combatants and veterans of the homeland residing in Kitwe, province of Copperbelt, Republic of Zambia, were honored on Wednesday (04), by the Angola Embassy in Zambia, with an honorable mention, basic food baskets and a fraternal lunch for their participation in the beginning of the national liberation struggle.
According to a press release from the Angolan embassy in Zambia, sent, the tribute is an initiative of the Defense Chancellery of the Angolan diplomatic mission in Zambia and included widows and 18 former combatants who participated in the act of Feb 4th, the oldest being 90 years old and the youngest 70.
The act was led by the minister Counselor of the Angolan diplomatic mission in Zambia, Estevão Jai, during which he praised the support of the Zambian government, as well as the friendship and cooperation that have characterized ties between the two countries and peoples.
Estevão Jai admitted that it is essential for the two governments to continue working together to face common challenges and seize the opportunities that arise.
“Zambia played a significant role in the context of our struggle for total liberation from the heinous colonial regime. Its hospitality and solidarity were fundamental to the success of our struggle”, he stated.
Former combatant and veteran of the homeland Tito Praia said that when the war began in the now called municipality of Luau (former Teixeira de Sousa village), they were treated as crazy for being involved in a disproportionate fight, where the colonialist had weapons and the Angolans only had the will to win.
“Many people died, but independence was achieved,” he emphasized.
Tito Praia, 88 years old, resident in the district of Kasompe (Chingola), recalled that when the fratricidal struggle resumed, a large part of the former combatants took up arms again so that definitive peace could be achieved.
Chiteta Bernua Chizelu, 80 years old, a resident of the Muchinshi district (Chingola) and born in the city of Ndalatando, Cuanza-Norte Province, explained his participation in the liberation struggle, describing the journey he made for years on foot between Zambia and eastern Angola to bring weapons and food to fighters hiding in the bush.
The veteran also mentioned, as a soldier, his deployments to Tanzania and Congo, as well as his training in the former Soviet Union and Egypt to improve his military tactics, which is why the fighters should not be ignored by the Angolan government, especially those residing in Zambia.
The event took place under the motto: “Preserving the Values of the Homeland, Let Us Honor Our Heroes”.
