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 - 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 shanty towns 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. This episode was first broadcast on 3rd November 2018.
Presenter: Harry Graham
Producer: Maryam Maruf
With thanks to Edward Drummond for the translation
Image: Bonga Kuenda
Credit: Getty Images
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- Sat 29 Aug 202021:32GMTBBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean
- Sun 30 Aug 202008:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sun 30 Aug 202009:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Mon 31 Aug 202000:32GMTBBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
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