Africa-Press – Angola. The Angolan Pioneer Organization (OPA) currently has more than two hundred and sixty-four thousand members nationwide, taking into account its transformation into a public utility institution.
Speaking on the sidelines of the central event relating to the Organization’s anniversary, on December 1st, held in the municipality of Catumbela (Benguela), its National Secretary for Information, Eurico Ernesto, stated that membership is no longer like it was in the days of one-party politics.
“Previously, it was enough to be a student to belong to the Organization. Today, membership is voluntary and dependent on the consent of those in charge of education”, he explained.
According to the secretary, the OPA had to adapt to the current reality and the big difference is the abandonment of the partisan vision. “We should not involve children in politics,” he emphasized.
The official also said that OPA’s greatest interest is education, in ways to instill in children objectives and goals that help the country develop.
“We have cooperation protocols with Education, Culture, the National Children’s Institute (INAC) and others”, he informed.
To carry out the mobilization, it has guides and teachers in the communities, although it is a little weak, due to the current conditions of the institution.
In terms of difficulties, he pointed out the lack of uniforms and other means that do not allow carrying out major activities, such as national and international camps.
As for support, he said he was counting mainly on the Catoca project, which sponsored the activity of the central event.
In its day-to-day life, it depends on a Fund created by the Executive to support public benefit institutions.
He recalled, however, that many politicians, rulers and former rulers, passed through the Organization and, when they can, they also give their support.
As main activities, Eurino Ernesto highlighted civic and patriotic education. “As resources don’t allow much else, we give lectures and during special events we carry out excursions, camps, visits to public institutions, cultural and sporting activities”, he said.
When asked about upcoming activities, he pointed to Solidarity Christmas to help needy and helpless children have moments of greater joy.
Present at the central event of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of OPA were its President, António da Rosa, the Second Provincial Secretary of the MPLA, Rosalina Kasisa, and representatives of the Catumbela Municipal Administration and the Provincial Government.
In 2001, the OPA ceased to be a mass organization of the MPLA and with the multi-party system in force in the country, in 2005, it became a public utility institution.
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