HARARE - The Angolan community in Zimbabwe last week celebrated its national Heroes Day at the National Art Gallery outlining that country’s liberation history, culture and literature excellence epitomised by its first president Agostinho Neto.

Angolan ambassador in Zimbabwe, Pedro Hendrick Vaal Neto said in a speech to mark the day last week:
“In fact, when we talk about the National Hero, we are talking about the man who epitomises a national hero: our beloved president Agostinho Neto, who was not only the valiant leader in struggle for liberation, but also a major Angolan poet who features amongst the brightest stars in world literature.
 
“He was a man for whom art in all its forms occupied a central place within the context of a people’s culture.”

Most of the works of Neto are imbued with an immeasurable humanism and uncompromising sense of patriotism.

They were often written with the fervour that characterised the different phases of the struggle, and were an inspiration to many of our artists and freedom fighters.

Neto was celebrated as a real hero.

“A man of culture and art and a fighter who made use of his refined intelligence and relentless determination, Agostinho Neto is a good representation of the Angolan hero, of the soul of the warrior of the forests where he led the struggle for freedom; of the militant fighters in the urban areas where he worked and mobilising his companions.”

Below is part of  the Angolan ambassador’s speech: “Most of the works of Agostinho Neto are imbued with an immeasurable humanism and uncompromising sense of patriotism. They were often written with the fervour that characterised the different phases of the struggle, and were an inspiration to many of our artists and freedom fighters."

“A man of culture and art and a fighter who made use of his refined intelligence and relentless determination, Agostinho Neto is a good representation of the Angolan hero, of the soul of the warrior of the forests where he led the struggle for freedom; of the militant fighters in the urban areas where he worked, mobilising his companions; a of the politician unjustly imprisoned for daring to uphold the truth.
 
“The Angolan flag flies proudly amongst the flags of the free countries of the world owing to the sacrifice of our heroes who, through the centuries, fiercely resisted the occupation of our country by the arrogant forces of oppression, and it was Agostinho Neto who raised this flag to the top of the mast.

“On this auspicious day, all Angolans should meditate upon the life of our national hero, on his qualities and virtues which made it possible for our people to become a victorious people.

“Indeed, our struggle should continue in the same spirit as that of Agostinho Neto so that we attain a level of development — in all its forms — that allows our country to be ranked amongst the most progressive countries of the world.

“In this way, we will achieve the dream of our founder, the dream about which he speaks so often in his precious poems. It is owing to his clear-sightedness, his magnanimity and intelligence that we have a stable, strong and completely united Nation today, within a truly sovereign, democratic and undoubtedly prosperous State."

“Keeping Angola in the forefront of progressive countries is the responsibility of all Angolans within and outside the country: the diplomats should exercise their duties with a sense of dignity and honour.”