The NHC and Freedom Park Museum commit to commemorate Republic of Angola’s Shared Heritage

On 12 December in Pretoria, the National Heritage Council (NHC), Freedom Park Museum, Dr Agostinho Neto Foundation signed a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement at the Freedom Park Museum to formalise a collaboration between the three institutions on very important Resistance and Liberation Heritage and Memorialisation issues between the Republic of Angola and South Africa.

The newly appointed Chairperson of the Council, Mr Sepheu Masemola, Dr Thabo Manetsi- CEO of the NHC and Resistance and Liberation Heritage Programme Manager – Mr Khwezi ka Mpumlwana were joined by the Ministry from the Sport, Arts and Culture Department at this groundbreaking agreement by both countries in the quest to preserve and promote the shared liberation and resistance heritage, and cultural heritage.

Some of the elements that are part of the agreement include supporting each other on working towards the possible inscription of the historic site Cuito Cuanavale UNESCO world heritage site and associated properties for the important role it played in ending the civil war in Angola; the illegal occupation of Namibia and paving the way for negotiation with South Africa as it is regarded as one of the last battles of cold war.

The battle of Cuito Cuanavale was the largest engagement of the Angolan conflict and the biggest conventional battle on the African continent since World War II.

As part of the agreement, collaboration and commemoration on the rich legacy of Dr António Agostinho Neto who played a very crucial role in getting Angola to play the central role in the liberation of many countries especially South Africa and Namibia need to be explored. To commemorate the icon’s legacy in different ways through educational programmes and exhibitions on the shared legacy of the struggle for freedom between the people of South Africa and Angola.

It is expected that as the commemorations are realised and undertaken by different countries, the countries’ participation will grow wider. It is further envisaged that this will take place in the form of exhibitions, commemorative programmes, research and publications and other ways.

Dr António Agostinho Neto (17 September 1922 – 10 September 1979) was an Angolan communist politician and poet. He served as the first president of Angola from 1975 to 1979, having led the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in the war for independence (1961–1974). Until his death, he led the MPLA in the civil war (1975–2002). Known also for his literary activities, he is considered Angola’s preeminent poet. His birthday is celebrated as National Heroes’ Day, a public holiday in Angola.

“The NHC welcomes this critical MOA that will solidify relations between the two countries who share deep historical ties with a rich heritage on their routes to liberation”, said Mr Masemola.

This happens in a context where administration at government level, there are discussions about the continuation of the repatriation programme of fallen heroes and heroines and a number of these who have fallen in battle sites in Angola because of the problems of the bandits back then and the the then racists of the Pretoria regime and the normal way of establishing camps.

“There’s a conversation at high level on how to commemorate these fallen heroes and possibly how to undertake repatriation accompanied by memorialisation that doesn’t close the door for continued and unforgettable relationships between the two countries, added Mr Masemola.

“This cooperation between the two countries is really an interesting example because a number of years back South Africa was a major proponent of the civil war in Angola, because a huge suffering was turned back from the gates of Luanda by the combined forces of the Angolan government army at the time, assisted by Cuba forces and soviet advisors. And now we see a democratic South Africa working with a democratic Angola using culture to silence the guns and promote understanding and possibly tourism and other kinds of economic and social cooperation through this kind of initiative and others,” he added.

Following the signing of the MOA, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola laid a wreath at the Freedom Park Wall of Names where Angolan martyrs of the South African liberation struggle are listed, next to other martyrs.