Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan President João Lourenço posthumously honored musician Gelson Manuel Caio Mendes “Nagrelha” with the Peace and Development medal commemorating 50 years of independence, for his contribution to national culture.
Speaking after receiving the distinction from the hands of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, Nagrelha’s widow, Wueza Mendes, expressed gratitude and happiness at receiving the posthumous title in honor of her late husband.
Wueza Mendes feels proud, as she sees this as recognition of her husband’s good work as an artist.
Gelson Caio Manuel Mendes, better known as Nagrelha, was an Angolan artist who achieved success in Angola singing in the Kuduro musical genre.
Nagrelha was a co-founder of the Kuduro group “Os Lambas” which, together with Bruno King, Amizade and Andeloy, rose to fame in the early 2000s.
At the same ceremony, musicians Moniz de Almeida, Sabino Henda and Murtala Fançony de Oliveira “Do Murras” were also awarded medals in the Peace and Development category.
For Moniz de Almeida, this type of recognition somehow gives him more strength to continue improving his work.
“Where Angola is made up of more than 20 million people, and you being chosen means there is a big light at the end of the tunnel watching over the work we have done. So, this gives us more strength to continue with our work”, he stressed.
On the other hand, Dog Murras considered the distinction a fair recognition for the work he has done in favor of national culture over the years.
“It is a fair recognition, especially for the distinction in the name of peace and development of the country that I have made with my music, with my attitude, with my stance and with all my aspirations. In the end, what we want is a better Angola”, he stressed.
He praised the initiative of the Head of the Executive Branch, for whom the children who work for the benefit of the Nation should be recognized. “It is a father who looks at his children, it is the government, it is the Nation. The Nation of Angola is our mother, our father. So it realizes that in these 50 years on the road there are children who have given themselves for it. And I will never forget that moment”, he said.
Sabino Henda also expressed his gratitude for having been awarded the Peace and Development medal commemorating 50 years of independence.
“This is a very important moment in my life and I must thank all those who
helped me reach this moment,” he concluded.
The tribute is part of the celebrations of the 50 years of national independence, which will be celebrated on 11 November. This is the third group to be distinguished as part of the celebrations of the 50 years of national independence, which will be celebrated on 11 November.
In the first phase, held on 4 April, 247 personalities were decorated, including Angolan and foreign citizens, for their relevant contribution to the independence, peace and development of Angola.
In the second phase, medals were awarded to 697 personalities.
For organizational reasons, the awards are granted at different stages, through several ceremonies held throughout the festivities.
In this third ceremony, 654 personalities were honored, of which 155 were in the Independence Class and 499 in the Peace and Development Class.
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