Africa-Press – Angola. The municipality of Xá-Muteba, in the province of Lunda-Norte, hosts, today, the central political event of the 63rd anniversary of the Day of the Martyrs of Colonial Repression, to be presided over by the Minister of National Defense, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, João Ernesto dos Santos “Freedom”.
The anniversary is a tribute to the victims of the massacre in Baixa de Cassanje, in Malanje, where, in 1961, peasants from cotton plantations were murdered by the army of the Portuguese colonial regime for demanding better working conditions and fair payment for cotton by the Belgian capital company Cotonang.
In the municipality of Xá-Muteba, according to the local administrator, Esmeralda Michimata, everything is prepared for the central political event.
“The municipality of Xá-Muteba will be the center of attention. The conditions are created for us to welcome the population from our province and beyond”, he informed.
Before heading to Xá-Muteba, the Minister of National Defense, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland worked yesterday in Malanje, where he assessed the performance of the sector.
Upon arrival, the government official held a meeting with former military personnel in the Rádio Malanje auditorium, followed by visits to the FAA condominium, in the Cangambo Oeste neighborhood, and the Polígono hotel.
Governor of Luanda lays wreath at Sant’Ana Cemetery
The provincial governor of Luanda, Manuel Homem, leads, today, the ceremony of the 63rd anniversary of the Day of the Martyrs of Colonial Repression, with the laying of a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, in the Sant’Ana Cemetery, in the Neves neighborhood Bendinha.
According to a program from the Office of Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, the political event takes place under the motto “With the spirit of the 4th of January, Former Combatants United for the Development of Angola”.
According to the program, before laying the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, the National Anthem will be sung, followed by a minute of silence as a sign of respect for the thousands of heroes who fell on that fateful day in Baixa de Cassanje.
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 the abolition of forced labor, exemption from paying taxes and other ill-treatment to which they were subjected by the colonial yoke.
According to historical facts, this action by the nationalists was followed by bombing and massacre of thousands of peasants in that region, in the province of Malanje.
The anniversary is marked in the country as a date of national celebration, known as Colonial Repression Martyrs’ Day.
DECLARATION BY THE POLITICAL BUREAU
MPLA considers the bravery of the heroes of the 4th of January a source of inspiration
The historic and brave act of the heroes of the 4th of January 1961 must be transformed into a source of inspiration for all Angolans, from Cabinda to Cunene, as a way of valuing the act, argues the Political Bureau of the MPLA Central Committee.
In a statement made public, on the occasion of the anniversary, which is marked today, the Political Bureau states that the historical dimension of that act of bravery requires permanent demonstrations of recognition to the mentors, to whom “the country and its children will be eternally grateful”.
That collegial management body of the MPLA, which is responsible for specific adjustments to the party’s strategies, argues that, more than just defending rights, that action by the peasants of Baixa de Cassanje constituted an unequivocal sign of unconditional defense of the country’s soil and was yet another fact that boosted the beginning of the process of Armed Struggle for National Liberation, whose culmination determined the proclamation of National Independence, on November 11, 1975.
“In this spirit, the Political Bureau of the MPLA Central Committee reiterates its heartfelt and patriotic tribute to the victims, with a firm commitment to preserving the historical legacy”, the statement reads.
The Political Bureau also expresses its renewed recognition for the determination and resistance of the Angolan people to colonization and mistreatment, reflected in the actions that led to the Baixa de Cassanje massacre, perpetrated in 1961, by the Portuguese colonial regime, against defenseless citizens.
“Imbued with the spirit of serving the people and making Angola grow”, the MPLA salutes all Angolans who, throughout the struggle, have contributed, with a high civic stance, to the preservation of the greatest achievements, including Independence National, territorial integrity, peace and unity and national reconciliation”, concludes the statement from the MPLA BP.
HUAMBO REMEMBERS THE BRAVERY OF THE HEROES
Lotti Nolika promises to improve the conditions of the populations
The governor of the province of Huambo, Lotti Nolika, reiterated, yesterday, the local government’s continued commitment to improving the social conditions of citizens, through solidarity between generations.
In the exhortation message, on the occasion of the celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the Day of the Martyrs of Colonial Repression, which is celebrated today, he assured that the well-being of families continues to be at the center of the Government of Huambo’s attention, with the creation of more opportunities for young people.
The minister added that the authorities will also focus on protecting and valuing the role of the elderly and children, with a focus on promoting the well-being of families, as pillars of the Nation and the integral development of the children of this country.
Lotti Nolika declared that the celebration of Martyrs’ Day of Colonial Repression aims to honor the victims of the Baixa de Cassanje massacre and, at the same time, recognize the vital role of the Angolan people in resisting colonialism, exalting the bravery of the heroic peasants of that region for keep the flame of independence alive.
The governor recalled that in 1961 thousands of peasants from Baixa de Cassanje faced unspeakable inhumanity from the Portuguese colonial army, in response to fair demands against slave labor. According to the governor, this tragic episode not only marked resistance, but also boosted national consciousness, uniting Angolans to begin the Armed Struggle for National Liberation on February 4 of the same year, which culminated in the proclamation of National Independence , on November 11, 1975.
He highlighted that the celebration of Martyrs’ Day remembers the sacrifices, determination and selflessness of the heroes of the past, who always fought for National Independence and the construction of a homeland free from colonial ties.
Therefore, he urged the population to follow the example of bravery of the heroes of the 4th of January and to show deep respect for all those who sacrificed their lives so that today Angola could be free and become a sovereign country and owner of the your own destiny.
The leader hopes that the population will continue to preserve the hard-won peace, so that it can be the foundation for true national reconciliation and development, paying honor and glory to the heroes who fell in the Baixa de Cassanje Massacre, so that the example of courage can guide every Angolan towards a future of prosperity and unity.
JORNALDEANGOLA
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