This third ceremony, according to a statement from the Presidency of the Republic to which VerAngola had access, is scheduled for July 2 and 3, in Luanda.
"As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of National Independence, and in strict compliance with the provisions of Law No. 2/25, of March 18, 2025, on the establishment of the commemorative medal alluding to the event, João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, continues the process of distinguishing personalities, or groups of individuals, whose actions, throughout the country's historical journey, represented a lasting legacy of dedication and service to the Fatherland", the note reads.
In this third ceremony, the President will award 654 citizens: 155 in the Independence class and the remaining 499 in the Peace and Development class.
Among the many names of personalities to be honored, the kudurista Nagrelha stands out, who will be posthumously awarded the Peace and Development medal.
In the Peace and Development class, the names of Adjany Costa, As Gingas do Maculusso, Banda Maravilha, N'Sex Love, SSP, Demarte Pena, among others, also stand out.
In the previous ceremonies, held in April and May, another 944 citizens were honored, also divided between the two classes of the medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of independence.
The July list also includes nationalists linked to the MPLA, such as Henrique de Carvalho Santos "Onambwe", António Dias Cardoso, Guilherme Pereira Inglês and Paulo Lara, but also musicians and cultural icons such as Gegé (Ngola Ritmos).
The honorees also include economist Manuel Alves da Rocha, jurist David Mendes, constitutionalist Nelson Pestana "Bonavena", poet Ana Paula Ribeiro Tavares and writer Ndalu de Almeida "Ondjaki".
The initiative has been criticized by some sectors of civil society and opposition politicians, who question the exclusion of Jonas Savimbi and Holden Roberto, who led, respectively, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) and were also signatories of the Alvor Agreement, which paved the way for Angola's independence on November 11, 1975.
The statement also clarifies that "due to organizational imperatives", the decorations are granted "in different stages, through several ceremonies to be held throughout the festivities".
