The Great Escape of Bonga
The life and times of Bonga Kuenda, the man who sang – and sprinted – for Angolan independence.
Bonga Kuenda is one of Angola’s most notable musicians, a master of the semba - a genre of traditional Angolan music. He was born during Portuguese colonial rule, and before music, Bonga had forged a career in athletics. In the 1960s, he emerged from the shantytowns of Luanda to become the fastest sprinter in the Portuguese Empire, but he was racing for a regime that he despised, one he was secretly trying to bring down.
Presenter: Harry Graham
Producer: Maryam Maruf
With thanks to Edward Drummond and Paul Bakibinga
Image: Bonga Kuenda
Credit: Judith Burrows/Getty Images
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Broadcasts
- Sun 4 Nov 201810:06GMTBBC World Service except Europe and the Middle East
- Mon 5 Nov 201800:06GMTBBC World Service
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