The public wake began this Monday, in Luanda, at the Agostinho Neto Memorial, the burial place where the remains of the first Angolan President rest, on a gray cacimbo morning that heightened the mourning tones at the monument.
Between black half-mast flags and posters bordered with black bands, describing "Zedu" as "a man of the people" and "a good patriot" "with the MPLA in his heart", stretched the long red carpet that João Lourenço walked this past year. Monday, punctually at 10 am, until arriving at the tent prepared for the tributes, where he opened the condolence book.
In his message, he evoked the "moment of pain and consternation" in which "Angolans mourn President José Eduardo dos Santos", highlighting his commitment to defending independence and national sovereignty "in the most critical moments of the country".
"We bow down and honor his memory, defending and perpetuating his greatest work, peace and national reconciliation", added the Angolan chief executive, expressing the "deepest feelings of sorrow" to the bereaved family.
In the tent, where flowers and lit candles surround the photo of the former head of state, you could read a biography with the most important dates in his life, a scenario accompanied by a solemn musical excerpt to match the sad moment.
This Monday, a large part of the executive members and representatives of the sovereign bodies and the superior courts passed through there, as well as some historical belonging to the MPLA, who lined up to write their farewell message to the former President.
However, family members were not present, most of whom are in Barcelona, with the exception of son Filomeno dos Santos "Zenu", who is awaiting a decision on his appeal after being sentenced to five years in prison and who allegedly cannot leave Luanda because his passport has been taken away.
The president of the National Assembly, Fernando Dias dos Santos "Nandó", according to the signing of the condolence book, recalled among the remarkable moments with José Eduardo dos Santos the time when he appointed him as deputy minister and commander of the Police.
"He took care to tell me: it's a shame to nominate a young man for these important missions, but someone has to fulfill them, we're here to support and help. And it helped and we made this journey, until we managed to achieve peace and consolidate national unity", he stressed.
"Nandó" said that he said goodbye to José Eduardo dos Santos with a feeling of "gratitude" and underlined the duty to honor his memory "by continuing to serve the good of this people".
The President of the Constitutional Court, Laurinda Cardoso, stated that José Eduardo dos Santos left her with many memories, which she noted in the condolence book, recalling the position he took when the Toponymy Law was discussed, that one should only honor the name of people after death, to the detriment of the living.
"It was one of the notes that made me reflect", she told reporters, visibly moved.
The president of the Court of Auditors, Exalgina Gamboa, who was Eduardo dos Santos' Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stressed, in turn, "with great pride", that "heroes do not die", describing him as "a great statesman".
"He will always be in our memory. We mourn the physical passing of comrade-president José Eduardo dos Santos, but the legacy he left is a glorious legacy, for his glorious deeds, for Africa and for the people," she praised.
It should be noted that the ceremony opens at 2 pm to all citizens who wish to pay tribute to José Eduardo dos Santos.
José Eduardo dos Santos died last Friday, aged 79, in Barcelona, Spain.
