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This week, Angola marks 50 years of independence — a milestone that comes with both celebration and introspection. On November 11, 1975, Angola broke free from nearly five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, ushering in a new era of sovereignty, pride, and hope. But independence came at a heavy cost — a 27-year civil war between rival liberation movements, the MPLA and UNITA, that devastated the country’s infrastructure and generations of lives.
Half a century later, Angola stands as one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations, blessed with oil, diamonds, and fertile land. Its capital, Luanda, gleams with glass towers and luxury skyscrapers. Yet behind this modern façade, millions of ordinary Angolans still live in poverty. More than half the population survives on less than $3.65 a day, and youth unemployment remains stubbornly high.
Today, Angola stands at a crossroads — caught between peace and prosperity, wealth and inequality, and the past and the future. As the country reflects on its past and looks toward the future, questions remain: what does independence truly mean for a generation born long after it was won?
Joining me to unpack Angola’s past, present, and future is Rafael Marques de Morais, a veteran Angolan journalist, political activist, and Executive Director of the Ufolo Good Governance Center. Rafael has been working closely with the private sector to build much-needed schools across Angola — a crucial step toward giving young people the tools to shape their country’s next 50 years.