Huambo - The remains of the musician and songwriter Justino Handanga arrived in Huambo on Wednesday from Luanda, where he died last Monday of an illness.
On arrival at Albano Machado airport in the city of Huambo aboard a National Air Force aircraft, which landed at 6.08pm, the coffin was received by family members, musicians and long-time friends in an atmosphere of emotion and tears.
In addition to the governor of Huambo Province, Lotti Nolika, various individuals linked to politics, the defence, security and internal order bodies, members of civil society and the population in general were present at the airport.
According to the official funeral programme, the procession left from the airport to his former residence in the Santa Iria neighbourhood, from where it went to the Osvaldo de Jesus Serra Van-Dúnem multipurpose pavilion, where the public wake is being held.
It adds that the burial is scheduled for Thursday at the Bailundo municipal cemetery, 75 kilometres north of the city of Huambo, begins with the opening of the book of condolence at around 8am at the Osvaldo Serra Van-Dúnem multipurpose pavilion.
It will include various moments, including the reading of messages, performances of songs, as well as military honours and religious moments.
He was born on 1 January 1969, in the village of Ndoluka, Luvemba commune, Bailundo municipality of the central Huambo Province.
He has two albums on the music market, namely "Ondjonguele Ya Telisiwã", released in 2004, and the second entitled "Homenagem ao empresário Valentim Amões", released in 2011.
In 2005 he took part in the 15th edition of Angola's national radio station music contest named “Top dos Mais Queridos”, coming 3rd with the well-known song "Paulina" and in 2006 he came 5th, sharing the same stage with the late musician Bangão.
Justino Handanga, a popular musician, began his musical career in the 1980s, after losing his parents, at the age of five, by taking part in a competition called "Pio-Pio", held on Sundays by the Agostinho Neto Pioneers Organisation (OPA) in the municipality of Bailundo, where he imitated national and international musicians.
At the age of 17, Justino Handanga, one of the “heavyweights” of the national music scene, joined the former People's Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) and was part of a musical group called "Pela Paz".
The author of hits such as "Ndumbalundo", "Olonamba", "Tenho saudades", "Paulina", "Carlito" and "Abíli”, joined in the National Police forces in October 10, 1992, after having served the country through FAPLA.
ALH/MRA/jmc
