Africa-Press – Angola. The death of musician Rei da Costa, this year, in one of Saurimo’s hospital units, had a negative impact on the cultural page of this region, creating nostalgic moments among artists and thousands of fans in the country and abroad.
Deservedly described as an “icon” of the Lunda-Tchokwe culture whose people united through music, the singer had been fighting a “fierce battle” against diabetes since 1992, before giving in at the age of 67, in November 2023.
For many admirers, his departure took by surprise his fans throughout the national territory and beyond borders who still expected a lot from his “significant contribution” to the culture of the region, in particular, and the country in general.
Among other aspects of his work, the musician is referred to as the figure who “broke the wall” on the borders of Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), “uniting the Lunda-Tchokwe people into one”.
His qualities were widely praised and recognized in the countless messages of condolences coming from various public and private entities before, during and after his funeral services held in the city of Saurimo.
The funeral ceremony of the King of Costa was attended by the governors of the provinces of Lunda Sul and Moxico, respectively, Daniel Neto and Ernesto Muangala.
Present at the event, the musician and representative of the National Union of Artists and Composers of Angola (UNACA-SA), Carlos Chilima, recalled that Rei da Costa portrayed, in his songs, social issues and sought to contribute to the development of the cultural identity of the country. people.
With his official name Ilunga Mabanza da Costa, King Costa was born in the municipality of Cuilo, province of Lunda Norte, on December 2, 1956.
One of the co-founders of the musical group Sassa Tchokwe, he began his career at the age of nine, in a religious choir, where he learned to sing and play instruments in neighboring DRC, the country where he had taken refuge with his family.
With the group Sassa Tchokwe, the deceased produced works such as “Lunda A Sokoloke”, “Garimpeiro”, “Soni Mandvunbu”, “Txisela”, “Sinergia”, “Muno Ukalu Kuyuka”, “Celestino Kahona”, “David Txifumani”, “Kufua Txa Muat Yav” and “Palancas Negras”.
Outside the musical group Sassa Tchokwe Internacional, after 1999, the artist recorded a dozen albums, the last being “Chance Jami”, in 2020, which portrays his life and the moments lived after the amputation of his right leg in the DRC, in 2018.
Other notable events
Conversely, Lunda Sul also experienced positive milestones in its cultural chapter, starting with the launch of two literary works, as part of the National Hero’s Day festivities, marked on September 17th.
These are the “History of the Evangelical Church of the Brothers in Angola IEIA – Sassamba” and “Zambi KanaKanjisa Wanga Tahi Yimbanda ni Aprofeta Akwonga”, the latter in the national language Tchokwe, both by the writer Zebedeu Deque.
In another remarkable fact, the government of Lunda Sul announced the attribution of the names of historical figures to streets and enterprises with socioeconomic impact in the province, in recognition of their commitment to the development of the region.
For example, the Saurimo Centrality, upon completion, will be named Marcial Migi Itengo, former governor of Lunda Sul, while the Provincial Maternity, will be named Maria do Céu.
Other tributes to prominent figures will be given to the province’s toponymy, as much has already been said about the need to keep the names of the colonizers.
Tourism waiting for investments
In the field of tourism, the 2023 news highlighted the poor conditions of secondary and tertiary roads that make it difficult to explore tourist areas in the province of Lunda Sul, a situation that calls on the Executive to create the premises for greater investment by national business and foreigner.
Until now, the local government has carried out “palliative” earthworks, containment of ravines and deforestation as part of actions to promote tourism development.
As perspectives, the Provincial Office of Youth, Sports and Tourism in Lunda Sul committed to presenting the tourist guide in digital format, to be published on the various existing platforms, aiming to attract more tourists to the region.
The focus on digital platforms derives from the fact that, many are users of social networks, where information arrives more quickly and efficiently. The guide will have sound videos, texts and several photographs of the region’s tourism potential.
The province of Lunda Sul has seven tourist attractions, namely Quedas do Rio Casengo and Tchihumbue, in the municipality of Dala, as well as the Luary, Tchitende and Pelengue lagoons (in Saurimo).
There are also the Tchihumbue River Falls, Samussanda, Cassengo Falls, Lagoa do Luar and Pelengue Falls and tourist villages, guesthouses, restaurants, bars and hotels.
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