You are on page 1of 3

Rui Mingas

I must say that I was taken by surprise because I was in the country for a short period of time, and staying at my brothers house, who was a scholar; and around 10.00 oclock in the evening somebody sent by the then minister for information, Manuel Rui Monteiro, came in. Telling me to pop to his house. He actually lived near brothers house at the sanitation zone. I went there, and was advised by him that through a decision or recommendation from the then political bureau we were to work on the Anthem. We were to prepare the National Anthem. We were in the eve of independence. Well, we had a daunting task. We were working all night long. I think it was up to 6.oo oclock in the morning in the company of some fellow musicians such as Carlitos Vieira Dias, Carlos Lamartine. They followed through. On the other hand, I guess it was Carlos Lamartine who took the cassette with a recording done on an ad hoc basis because we worked under certain conditions which were not appropriate, but by then nobody had appropriate conditions. Thus, we made it, i.e., Manuel Rui Monteiro wrote the verses, and I sang a bit and waited for him to write the others. I rememnber that comrade Ndunduma and Anambw were also at his house. But they were working, I think, on our shield, but they were in the other room. Thus, we worked all night long and we crafted the Anthem. I think I felt the same emotion that shouldve been felt by all the Angolans that got freedom, which cost a lot. I felt an emotion, a great thrill, and I also felt sadness, but sound sadness. Sadness for those who stayed along the way and for those who couldnt experience that unique moment for the life of our people, and for the life of our country. It was indeed a hug. I remember having hugged a lady who was by me. I dont even know her. I cant remember her anymore.

Moises Kafala
Id like to say that as a musician my point of view on Agostinho Netos poetic works is a bit limited, but I think theyre elucidatory because we see ourselves involved in the message of Agostinho Neto, therefore the inspiration made us turn into music some of his poems. His message in the poetry has been very strong, not only in Angola but also in Africa; and some parts of the World. We had the opportunity to follow the publishing of Holy Hope in English in the UK. We saw well the impact that Agostinho Neto poetry had on those places. Apart from the prophetic poems, his message includes all the times: speaks of the past, the recent past and conducts a prospect of the future. Thus, he gives hope to people, and he also elucidates us and makes us see who we are inwards. The topics arent imposed so we need to be willing to, firstly. Then if it fits in our aspirations or in our dreams come to be inspired and turn the poems into music.

Don Caetano
I always have to make a review when it comes to speaking about the dead poet and founder of the nation, Antnio Agostinho Neto. I have to refer to literature, and it was through reading that I got in love with some of his poems, namely Bamaku and Good Bye! Time to knock off I translated into Kimbundu two stanzas of his poem. Fortunately I dealt well with poem because it was at a time that I was stuck in a feeling of profundity for the death of my mother so the poem dedicated to all African mothers went for my mother as well. Thus, my sentimental expression through the strength that I used in my melodic timbre, based on the song, and also because it was already sung in Portuguese by Rui Mingas. Hence, I think the profundity of the poet, and the dimension of the poet himself, the poetic structure of the book contributed for me to get stuck in him, and consider Agostinho Neto one of the greatest writers of the 50s and 60s. Agostinho Neto is part of that group of heroes who fought for the liberation, not only of Angola but also for the African continent.

You might also like