Africa-Press – Angola. The legacy of former combatants, in achieving National Independence, must continue to be an inspiring factor for youth and beyond, for achieving the country’s development challenges.
The reflection comes from the vice-governor of Bié for the Political, Social and Economic sectors, Alcida de Jesus Camateli Sandumbo, when she spoke at the provincial act of celebrations of the 4th of January, Day of the Repression of the Martyrs of Baixa de Cassanje, held in the city of Cuito, capital of this province.
In her speech, the person in charge, who spoke on behalf of the Governor of Bié, Pereira Alfredo, considered the former combatants a segment of known and anonymous Angolans who, in a heroic way, carried out the most historic feats that led the country to the achievement of Independence.
This achievement, he continued, in addition to giving Angolans freedom, autonomy and self-determination, opened paths for achieving peace and definitive national reconciliation, in 2002, as well as for the consolidation of democracy and the reconstruction of Angola.
Therefore, he considered it imperative that Angolans look at this legacy as an inspiring factor in achieving the challenges aimed at promoting the country’s development, in the various areas of social life.
“The best way to honor national heroes is to unite in favor of building a country that they always dreamed of, preserving peace, unity, solidarity, commitment and cohesion”, he highlighted.
On the occasion, the deputy governor reiterated the Angolan Government’s commitment to guaranteeing the well-being of former combatants, in reward for everything they gave and did for the country.
He highlighted, as strategies, the implementation of programs aimed at the socioeconomic integration of this social segment, through income-generating projects, increasing monthly pensions, and also announced the intention of institutionalizing, soon, the identification card for former combatants.
For researcher Adilson Sawamba Luís Bumba, who was giving a lecture on the topic “The revolt in downtown Cassanje as an example of patriotism”, the peasants and workers, who took part in the 4th of January 1961, acted within the spirit of reviewing their rights, such as dignity, honor, well-being, personal reality, autonomy, self-determination and independence.
For this reason, he said that Angolans are called, in the same spirit, to love their country, through the preservation of public goods and the promotion of social stability actions.
The provincial act of celebrations of the 4th of January, held under the motto: “With the Spirit of the 4th of January, Former Combatants united for the development of Angola”, brought together, in addition to the former combatants, members of the Government, police authorities, military, judicial, ecclesiastical and traditional.
The 4th of January 1961 represents a historic milestone that affected more than ten thousand peasants from the former Angola Cotton Company (Cotonang), in Baixa de Cassanje, who were savagely murdered by the Portuguese colonialists, demanding workers’ rights, abolition forced labor, exemption from paying taxes and other ill-treatment to which they were subjected by the colonial yoke.
ANGOP
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
