After the ceremony on Thursday, where the honorees included Maria Eugénia Neto (widow of Agostinho Neto) and Cuban general Leopoldo Cintra Frias, some of those honored expressed their honor with the tribute.
This is the case of the former Chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces, retired Army General Geraldo Sachipengo Nunda. Quoted in a statement from CIPRA, to which VerAngola had access, General Nunda expressed his "honor for having been honored with the Independence Class Medal".
The former Chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces considered that "the distinction is also a tribute to the soldiers who were under his command", and took the opportunity to "appeal to young people to train themselves in order to serve" the country, because "the future is the work of youth".
"The country we want, the Africa we want, the Angola we want is the work of our children and grandchildren. Therefore, learn all the knowledge the world has to offer to serve Angola," he said, as quoted in the statement.
Among those honored was retired general Francisco Higino Lopes Carneiro, who was pleased and grateful for the distinction.
"Retired general Francisco Higino Lopes Carneiro, who was awarded the Independence class medal, said he felt enormous satisfaction and gratitude for the recognition the country had given him," the statement reads.
"Also awarded posthumously in the Independence class was the former vice-president of UNITA, Jeremias Kalundula Chitunda, represented at the ceremony by his daughter Rosária Chitunda, who received the medal," CIPRA points out.
On the occasion, Rosária Chitunda expressed her gratitude for the distinction: "We are immensely grateful for this recognition, it is an honor. He lived for the Angolan people and died doing what he loved for Angolans. And this medal represents that."
In the Peace and Development category, among those honored was the former governor of the National Bank of Angola and current chairman of the Board of Directors of Unitel, Aguinaldo Jaime, who expressed his "delight in the recognition of his contribution to the Nation."
"My contribution is just one among many others and I believe that this will serve to encourage future generations to contribute to the tasks of the country's development and reconstruction," he said.
"Another figure who deserved distinction in this category was the leader of the Tocoísta church, Dom Afonso Nunes, who praised the importance of the act, because it represents, in his opinion, a moment of communion," the note reads.
Angolan Public Television journalist Ernesto Bartolomeu also saw "his efforts for the country's development recognized when he was decorated by the President of the Republic".
The journalist appeared "quite emotional": "I am very emotional. When I started this profession, I never imagined in my entire life that after 40 years I would be at a ceremony like this".
Split over two days, between this Thursday and Friday, the second decoration ceremony will honor a total of 698 national and international figures. Thus, the decorations will continue this Friday, in a ceremony led by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
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