DECEMBER 2009 INSIDE: oil and gas news The country gears up for the Cup of in January in Nations, which kicks off Extra with this issue: Opec conference welcome supplement Animal Rescue Saving the palanca negra The Wire Subsea cables for Africa Viva ! Universo

SONANGOL UNIVERSO ISSUE 24 – DECEMBER 2009 SU24-cover 2:Layout 1 26/11/09 17:59 Page 1 Page 17:59 26/11/09 1 2:Layout SU24-cover SU24.contents.pp2-3:SU23 17/11/09 12:21 Page 2

CONTENTS

20 16 32 Universo is the international magazine of Sonangol

Board Members Manuel Vicente (President), Anabela Fonseca, Mateus de Brito, Fernando Roberto, Francisco de Lemos

Sonangol Department for Communication & Image Director João Rosa Santos

Corporate Communications Assistants Letter from the editor Nadiejda Santos, Lúcio Santos, Cristina Novaes, José Mota, ver the next two months, two im- Beatriz Silva, Paula Almeida, portant events will be taking place Sandra Teixeira, Marta Sousa in Angola. The first is the meeting O Richard Estas of the Organization of the Petroleum Ex- Publisher

porting Countries (Opec), which is having Getty Images 28 46 Sheila O’Callaghan its end-of-year summit in Luanda. Angola Editor has held the presidency of Opec this year 24 Alex Bellos for the first time and the meeting marks Art Director the end of its term in office. David Gould The event will unite the oil ministers Sub Editor of the 12 member countries and take place Ron Gribble at the Talatona Convention Centre in Advertising Design Luanda Sul. It will be the most important Bernd Wojtczack international assembly ever held in Circulation Manager Angola, and is a sign of the country’s Matthew Alexander increasing presence on the world stage. Project Consultants Less than three weeks later, Angola Kamene M Traça COCAN Nathalie MacCarthy will be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, a Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters Peter Gudynas/Zap Art 2008 Mauro Perillo football tournament that unites the 16 top Group President national teams in the continent. Some of 4 Angola news briefing 6 AFRICA CUP OF 28 Underwater John Charles Gasser the best-known sportsmen in the world, US Secretary of State Hillary NATIONS SPECIAL superhighways Sonangol News such as of Chelsea and the Clinton visits Luanda; South The race to build three fibre-optic Universo is produced by Impact Media REPORT Custom Publishing. The views expressed in Ivory Coast and Samuel Eto’o of Inter- African President Jacob Zuma A 22-page guide to the CAN cables between Europe and West 38 Sonangol the publication are not necessarily those of nazionale and , will be taking comes to Angola for his first state Africa news briefing Sonangol or the publishers. Reproduction in part. visit since taking power; The 8 50,000 fans will roar whole or in part without prior permission is We are devoting almost half of this Simpsons cartoon characters from the terraces 32 Back from the dead 40 Natural gas prohibited. issue of Universo to the tournament, have an Angolan makeover to Four new stadiums arise An amazing project to save the rare Soyo’s LNG project is on This magazine is distributed to a closed known as the CAN, since the event is more advertise a Portuguese satellite giant sable from extinction schedule for 2012 circulation. To receive a free copy: than just about sport and nationhood. channel; Angola’s first Interna- 14 Political footballer [email protected] Angola has constructed four new stadiums tional Jazz Festival draws big Interview with Akwá 44 Jungle man Circulation: 17,000 for the games, as well as building hotels crowds; the first tourist guide to He talks to the animals and improving infrastructure for the fans Angola is launched; a new 16 Yes we CAN! and the teams. The CAN provides an op- suspension bridge over the Angola’s chance to win the Cup 46 Sugar power portunity for the country to demonstrate Catumbela River opens; the IMF Sonangol is investing in sugar its increasing confidence and stature, both is in the final stages of approving 20 Golden history cane to make ethanol 6 Snow Hill, within Africa and as a member of the a package for Angola A brief history of the CAN London EC1A 2AY Tel + 44 20 7002 7778 global community. 50 The Big Picture Fax +44 20 7002 7779 5 Figured out 24 Host cities A survey of Angola’s [email protected] A snapshot of Angola in Snapshots of Luanda, Benguela, mountains numbers Lubango and Cabinda Cover: Nicolas Randall Pedro Vaz Pinto

2 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 3 SU24.Angola News.pp4-5:SU23 17/11/09 12:14 Page 4

Figured Angola news briefing out Up and over A new suspension bridge over the Hillary in Luanda Catumbela River has been opened at the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stopped centre of the Benguela-Lobito express- off in Angola on a seven-nation tour of Africa. 102.2m way, reducing traffic congestion consider- During her 48-hour visit she met President height of 24-floor Escom Building ably. The modern white 438m (1437ft) Dos Santos, held talks with a number of top in Luanda, now Angola’s tallest structure was built by Mota-Engil and Angolan ministers, addressed the National skyscraper officially inaugurated by President José Assembly and visited an Aids clinic to Eduardo dos Santos in September. There announce an increase in US funding. Speak- are two traffic lanes on each side with ing to MPs in the National Assembly, Mrs Clin- wide pedestrian paths set back from the ton said the US wanted to be Angola’s $2.5 million vehicles by guardrails. “partner, friend and ally”. cost of fitting out the interior of the

STR/Reuters/Corbis new Talatona Convention Centre IMF deal close Hotel in Luanda Sul Angola and the International Monetary Fund are in the final stages of calculat- ing a financing programme to help Angola weather the global economic crisis. A fall in the price of oil has dented Angola’s interna- tional reserves putting pressure on liquidity and exchanges. Economy Minister Manuel Nunes Junior said: “This is a very important 19number of new post offices to be built moment for the government of Angola. We around Angola to help relaunch the are on the way to securing one more impor- country’s postal system ALADINO JASSE/epa/Corbis tant victory for the country and for the Historic friends Angolan people.” South African President Jacob Zuma came to Angola for his first state visit since taking Have a nice trip! $2 billion power – a move which underlines a new The first tourist guide dedicated to Kamene M Traça launch budget for the Soyo Industrial chapter in the relationship between the two Angola has been launched. The Park in Zaire province countries following some years of distance. 256-page Bradt Guide to Angola contains Ay, caramba! During the two-day visit, a number of bilateral information on hotels, restaurants, The Simpsons cartoon characters have agreements were signed, covering trade and transport options and places to see as had an Angolan makeover: Homer, Marge, industry, air services, sports, development of well as 27 maps to help visitors get Lisa, Maggie and Bart are shown here as human settlement and diplomatic consulta- around. With over 1,000km of unspoilt they might look if they lived in Angola, tions, and more than 150 South African busi- beaches, excellent fishing and surfing, complete with braided hair, African- nesses took part in a forum exploring trade tropical forests and magnificent bird life, patterned clothes and flip-flops. Unfortu- and investment opportunities. President Dos there is no shortage of things to see and nately, there is not going to be a full Santos hailed the visit as a “new era in bilat- do in Angola. Angolan version of the hit cartoon. The eral relations” between the two countries and 6.2 makeover image was created by Luanda- President Zuma said the new trade partner- Jazz time per cent based agency Executive Centre to ships would “change the economic landscape advertise the arrival of The Simpsons on of Southern Africa”. As well as talks on trade, Angola hosted its first International forecast for growth of Angolan the Portuguese package of satellite televi- the two presidents also discussed the supply Jazz Festival, drawing crowds of economy in 2009 sion provider DSTV. and distribution of electricity from the Demo- thousands to Cine Atlântico in Luanda. The cratic Republic of Congo’s Inga hydroelectric three-day event saw musicians from Angola sharing the stage with singers and perform- plant and a partnership between Angolan teams in the Africa Cup ers from South Africa, the United States, state-oil company Sonangol and South of Nations and Brazil. 16 Africa’s PetroSA for refining oil.

4 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 5 SU24.CAN open.pp6-13:SU24 17/11/09 12:18 Page 6

CUP

FEVERIn January the eyes of the world will be on Angola when it hosts the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s most important football tournament. In the following pages we show how the country is getting ready for what will be the largest event ever held on Angolan soil. We interview Akwá, the most famous footballer in the country’s history, and assess the chances that the national team will triumph here. And finally, we give a history of the Cup, more commonly known as the CAN, since it was founded in 1957.➔ Wolfgang Rattay

6 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 7 SU24.CAN open.pp6-13:SU24 17/11/09 12:18 Page 8

CUP OF NATIONS

Night game: Luanda’s new stadium 50,000 fans will roar from the terraces With more than a billion dollars spent on stadiums and infrastructure, the kick-off will kick-start the tourism industry

adio announcers, giant clocks by Located in Camama, around 17km from the side of the road and newspaper central Luanda and 10km from Luanda Radverts – everyone and everything Sul, the stadium is linked to the suburb of is counting down to January 10, when the Benfica by a new road. Its curves have Africa Cup of Nations, or CAN, kicks off. been designed as a representation of the Teams from across the continent and horns of Angola’s unique giant sable ante- thousands of fans from around the world lope, the palanca negra, which is also the will descend on the country to watch the name of the country’s football team. games being played in four newly-built Located almost midway between the stadiums in the host cities of Luanda, cities of Lobito and Benguela, Benguela’s Benguela, Lubango and Cabinda. stadium, which has a stunning sea view The image of Angola, on and off the from its west end, is the second biggest pitch, will be broadcast all over the world. with space for 35,000 fans. The stadiums Angolan President José Eduardo dos in Lubango and Cabinda will each accom- Santos said the fact that Angola was modate 20,000 fans. chosen to host the CAN was “proof of the The colourful Lubango stadium, confidence placed in Angolans, its institu- sometimes referred to as Huíla Stadium tions, as well as the new age the country is after the name of the province, is in the living”. Tchioco neighbourhood, 5km from the He added: “The Angolan nation will city centre and linked by a new  prove itself capable to face this challenge by carrying out an exemplary CAN in all its aspects. This is another victory for the Its curves have Angolans, a victory for our country.” been designed Airport upgrades More than $1 billion is being spent to as a representation prepare the country for the tournament. New roads, hospitals and hotels are being of the horns of built and many airports are receiving “ extensive makeovers. Catumbela Airport at Benguela is having its runway extended Angola’s unique to accommodate international flights and $70 million is being spent on a much giant sable needed upgrade for Luanda’s international airport. antelope, the Of the stadiums being built, Luanda’s

COCAN is the largest with a capacity of 50,000. palanca negra 8 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER”2009 9 SU24.CAN open.pp6-13:SU24 17/11/09 12:18 Page 10

CUP OF NATIONS

Benguela Pictures: Kamene M Traça

expressway. In Cabinda, the stadium – Lubango Benguela expected to be the first to be finished After CAN we will continue to despite earlier delays – is in the Chiazi district, 15km north of the city of Cabinda. use the stadium for sport. It has not just In each city three additional pitches with competition-standard grass are being been built for football but has an built or refurbished to offer training space to teams, and in the longer term to boost athletics track as well community football facilities in each region. “ All the stadiums have been built by Chinese construction companies to full CAN, which is sponsored by Orange, is seen captain) from his playing days at Angolan international standards in terms of safety, as an invaluable tool for reconstruction and clubs including Nacional de Benguela and and disabled access has been provided. growth. Primeiro de Agosto, added: “After CAN we “CAN is going to bring great social, will continue to use the stadium for sport. It Bus in Lubango with COCAN logo Giant screens economic and financial benefits to our has not just been built for football but has Each facility will have standard, VIP and country, and in particular to Benguela,” said an athletics” track as well. It will have bars, VVIP seats, but according to Angola’s organ- Pedro Garcia, Benguela COCAN’s executive shops, restaurants and businesses there and ising committee, COCAN, the majority of director. “It is going to develop aspects of will continue to serve Benguela in various the tickets will cost between 200 and 500 sporting facilities in the province, and have ways.” kwanzas (less than $6) to ensure that the social benefits such as new hospitals, extra Pepe António, part of COCAN’s Huíla games are accessible to all. policing and infrastructure. team, is also excited about the benefits CAN For those unable to make the games, “I can’t talk about exact figures, but the will bring to Angola. A former player, he there are plans to set up ‘fan zones’ around stadium alone is costing $117 million. Add said: “CAN in our country is going to the country with big screens in parks and to that all the other investments we are relaunch infant and youth football; it’s city squares to show the matches live to as making in the province and you can see that going to be a motivator and an inspiration. many people as possible. For Benguela, we are spending a considerable amount of It is also bringing a big investment in infra- Lubango and Cabinda, all substantially money.” structure. smaller than the capital Luanda, hosting Garcia, known as ‘o Capitão’ (the “This means the players can train on 

10 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 11 SU24.CAN open.pp6-13:SU24 17/11/09 12:18 Page 12

CUP OF NATIONS CUP OF NATIONS

grass pitches whereas previously they have had to play on artificial surfaces.” CAN is bringing a lot of development and gains to this CAN will be Angola’s first major post- war test in terms of visitors and there is country. Regardless of what happens on the pitch, Angola hope that the tournament will kick-start what could become a very healthy tourism industry. Hotel staffs are being given extra has already won, just by hosting the tournament training and there are moves for a more Fernando Baptista Moutinho, President of the Huila FA streamlined visa system to allow travelling “ fans to come into Angola. and support facilities and left nodding with the excitement is growing among old, beings.” University lecturer Paulo Bernardo, Pioneers approval. CAF executive committee mem- young, male, female, rich and poor. aged 32, from Lubango, added: “I am “Angola is still quite an immature market in ber Suketu Patel, speaking after a meeting For some, it is about famous interna- very happy that our country is hosting terms of tourism but it does have very with Angolan Sports Minister Gonçalves tional footballers such as the Ghanaian the Africa Cup of ”Nations. Since peace beautiful places to visit. It’s a destination for Muandumba, said: “I think it’s going Michael Essien and Didier Drogba of the arrived, this town is growing so fast; there pioneers,” said Briton Paul Wesson, who extremely well. There are a few things that Ivory Coast coming to play in their home is a lot of development going on here. runs the Luanda-based Eco Tur travel need to be resolved and we brought those town. For others, it is about showing that With this CAN, we hope that more things agency with Angolan partner Mário Pinto. to the attention of the government. We are Angola is known for more than just its oil will happen.” “CAN is going to be an exciting event for quite confident it will be a very good CAN in and diamonds. Fernando Baptista Moutinho,

Angola and I think we will see lots of people Kamene M Traça the end.” president of the Huíla Football Association, coming here. We’ve had inquiries from the south. I think CAN will bring lots of floodlights to keep to schedule, particularly As well as the physical changes CAN is Progress said: “CAN is bringing a lot of development travellers in the UK, Holland, Germany and people here,” he said. “I really hope so at Luanda, the largest and most ambitious bringing to Angola, the tournament is also “Our economic and political life is improv- and gains to this country. Regardless of beyond wanting to come.” because when you have tourism it brings in project. In September, a delegation from about promoting social development and ing because of seven years of peace,” said what happens on the pitch, Angola has Rafael Loureiro, who runs a farmhouse money, and that money helps develop the the Confederation of African Football cohesion. One advertising slogan says Martinho Bangula, a 24-year-old teacher already won, just by hosting the tourna- B&B in Lubango, is also confident. “There country.” (CAF), African football’s ruling body, simply “Estamos Juntos” – “We are from Benguela. “We are building here not ment.” is so much to see in Angola, particularly in Labourers have been working under completed a six-day visit to the stadiums together” – and as the kick-off approaches, just walls and roads but also new human Let the games begin.  A survivor’s tale Racing fund

housands of Angolans have volun- bone and damage to his spine. But the teered to help out during the physical injuries were nothing, he said, TAfrica Cup, but Solito Gamba has compared to how he was affected an extra special reason for wanting to psychologically. take part. He is volunteering in memory “I was on the plane, and all around of the 48 people who died in a plane me were people who were dead or crash on the way back from a football dying,” he whispered, choking back game in 1995. tears. “We had worked together as a team Solito, 44, was one of only four who for two and a half years and that’s a long survived when the plane carrying players time to be together. You get close – and and staff from Maboque FC came down for all of these people to disappear in one just short of Catumbela Airport in go, it was extremely hard. Even today, I’ve Benguela. not been able to get over that part of my

“It was just like any other Saturday life and what happened. It will never LAT Photographic/Williams F1 and we had gone to Cunene to play a leave me.” Hosting the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations projects in education, energy efficiency among the Angolan delegation who game,” said Solito, who was Maboque’s It is in memory of the lost members is certainly raising Angola’s profile in and road safety, and the COCAN logo is met Frank Williams. coach at the time. “We played, we won of Maboque FC that Solito proudly wears the footballing world. But the organis- now displayed on all Williams F1 cars. Williams boss Adam Parr said: and we got back on the plane to come his white CAN 2010 volunteer’s . “If ers, COCAN, have also linked up with (Above, it can be seen on the tail fin). “Angola has a strong programme of back, but only a few minutes before were they knew that today Angola would be British Formula One team Williams to The sponsorship deal was launched social and economic development. due to land, the plane just fell.” hosting CAN, I think they would be promote the country among motor- at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Road safety and education are impor- Pointing to a large zigzag scar on his extremely happy, and that’s why I’m sports fans as well. Spain, in August, with COCAN’s general tant challenges for the people of head, Solito said he suffered a number of volunteering, so I can be a part of it for Williams is setting up its first charita- director Justinho Fernandes and exec- Angola, and we are pleased to be able injuries including a fracture to his collar- them.” ble foundation in Angola to support utive director António Mangueira to provide assistance in these areas.” Kamene M Traça

12 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 13 SU24.CAN_Man.pp14-19:SU24 17/11/09 12:20 Page 14

CUP OF NATIONS

Akwá: “We have a lot of talent in this country” Political

footballerThe scorer of the most important goal in Angolan football history now treads the corridors of power

abrice Maieco – better known as Akwá – is arguably play aren’t there any more. It’s really important to create Angola’s most famous football player. After scoring the spaces for our children to be able to play sport because if we Fgoal against Rwanda to qualify the Palancas Negras for don’t give them this diversion, they will get involved in drink their first World Cup in 2006 in Germany, the ace striker and drugs and crime. attained a place in every Angolan heart. “My aim is to set up a football academy in Luanda to pass The 30-year-old has since retired from professional on my experiences and give kids an opportunity.” football and will not be playing in the upcoming Africa Cup, Akwá is keen to help Angolan footballers of the future, but he continues to play a public role as a newly-elected but what about the team due to take part in the upcoming member of parliament and an advocate for sports in Angola. 2010 CAN? “Hosting the CAN championship will bring benefits to the country, not just in terms of sport but also because it will Will to win advertise the name of Angola to the world,” said the father of “There’s still a lot of work to do before the competition,” he four. “It’s good for the country and it’s bringing more said, “but we have to have faith in our players, and our coach development. We’re getting four new stadiums, and other Manuel José is working hard to make the team stronger. In pitches are being refurbished. This will enrich football in all recent games he has been trying out new things: bringing in the provinces. Investing in football is a long-term investment new players or bringing back players who used to play in the because it brings ongoing benefits to a country.” team, and things are starting to change for the better. “There’s a lot less to criticise about the team than there Untapped talent was. There are still failings of course; it’s not 100 per cent Akwá started playing when he was seven and made his debut perfect, but there’s been a big improvement on the last six for the youth team of Nacional de Benguela at the age of 13. In months. What’s important is that they are showing that they 1994, he transferred to Benfica in , playing there for want a good CAN and they want to win, and now the people five years. Next stop was the Middle East, starting at of Angola must get behind them and support them all the Al-Shabab de Riyadh in Saudia Arabia, and then with title and way.” cup-winning stints at Al-Wakra Sport Club in Doha and Qatar With the national basketball team having just scooped Sports Club. victory in the 2009 Afrobasket in Libya, there are high hopes Returning to Angola in 2005 at the time of “that” goal that the national football team will do as well. against Rwanda, Akwá signed for Petro de Luanda but hung But Akwá urged people not to put too much pressure up his boots a year later to concentrate on his football-devel- on the players. “I was a player and I know how hard it is to win opment projects. “We have a lot of talent in this country but games. It will not be easy – we’re talking about the best unfortunately not so many opportunities,” he told Universo. teams in Africa,” he said. “We have to be positive and give our “When I was growing up, I was lucky to have many places moral, logistical and financial support to our players and help to play football where I lived and I always played at school. them feel good. Then they will win matches. But it’s important Today, because of the construction work and the fact that that people realise it is a tough competition and it won’t be

Kamene M Traça Angola is changing, the spaces where perhaps people used to easy.”

14 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 15 SU24.CAN_Man.pp14-19:SU24 17/11/09 12:20 Page 16

CUP OF NATIONS YES WE

Ben Lyttleton reports on how striker hopes to take Angola all the way, and CAN!gives a rundown of the tournament’s main contenders wo years ago, the Angolan striker The striker has had a busy few years: Portuguese coach in football (not bad in a Manucho was playing for Luanda’s after struggling to win a place at Manches- field that includes a certain José TPetro Atlético when he headed off ter United, he had successful loan spells at Mourinho). Manuel José guided Egyptian for a three-week trial at Manchester United, Panathinaikos in Greece, scoring four goals side Al-Ahly to five league titles and four the biggest club in England’s Premier in seven appearances, and Hull City, for African Champions League titles before League. Within a month, United had signed whom his late winner against Fulham was taking charge of Angola in June, and he has him and at only 24 he went on to star in decisive in their fight against relegation targeted more success in his new role. “The Angola’s impressive performance at the from the . This summer, federation has not set me specific targets, 2008 CAN in . Manucho joined side Real but I know the goal is to win the Africa Manucho, full name Mateus Alberto Valladolid and promptly promised to score Nations Cup,” he said. Contreiras Gonçalves, was one of the finds 30 goals in his first season, confidence that of the tournament. He scored three goals in was rewarded with a goal on his home Influence Angola’s first two games, and his 25-yard debut against Valencia. “In recent years, this team has qualified for effort in a 2-1 defeat to eventual winners Manucho’s speed, strength and eye for the CAN twice and also played in the last Egypt was declared the goal of the compe- a goal have led to comparisons with a World Cup, always with the same group of tition. It was enough to earn him a place in young Samuel Eto’o, another player for 16-17 players,” José added. the Team of the Tournament. whom self-belief has never been a José has not made sweeping changes problem. As Manuel José put it: “I always to the squad, but his influence has been Confidence say that good players have no age; it’s all quickly felt as he switched the formation to Now, Manucho is the leading light of the about their character.” The presence up a 3-5-2 system with the full-backs Marco Angola team for the 2010 CAN, and with front of the experienced Flávio, who is Airosa and Gilberto given full licence to new coach Manuel José at the helm, the Angola’s all-time leading scorer, helps keep attack the flanks. team’s confidence is at an all-time high. the ebullient Manucho in check. Gilberto played under José at Al-Ahly “We can’t wait for the games to begin and If Manucho has the belief that Angola as a left-winger, and has lost little of his Getting shirty: for us to show what we can really do,” said can succeed, the strategy comes from José, offensive flair with the switch to wing-back. Manucho celebrates a

Manucho. who can claim to be the most successful In midfield, Mateus and flank  goal in the 2008 CAN Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters

16 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 17 SU24.CAN_Man.pp14-19:SU24 17/11/09 12:21 Page 18

CUP OF NATIONS

I know the goal is to win the Africa

Nations Cup Manuel José, Angola coach

David, a box-to-box who top- main man (and the continent’s best player), scored in Angola’s first division last season. but the threat this year will mainly come Angola’s biggest strength, though, lies from West Africa. “in attack where Manucho partners Flávio, Cameroon look revitalised under new another star of the successful Al-Ahly sides, coach , and Achille Emana is while on the sidelines is Pedro ,” living up to his promise as Samuel Eto’o’s who burst onto the scene at Benfica in 2001 ideal strike partner. Ivory Coast, semi-final- and turned down lucrative offers from ists for the last two editions, have an Barcelona and before a terrible Anglo-Spanish spine which includes the injury kept him out for nearly three years. Touré brothers, and Didier Zokora and His appearances have been limited ever Drogba; and Ghana, with midfield pair since – he was only fit enough to make two Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, are as brief substitute appearances at the 2006 imperious as ever. World Cup – but there is no doubting his The 1990 champions Algeria are back ability. in the competition for the first time since “He could have been better than 2004 while Tunisia, 2004 winners, looked Didier Drogba,” said José. The coach picked impressive in topping Nigeria in their Mantorras for the friendly drawn matches qualifying group. The other teams that have against (1-1) and Cape Verde (1-1). qualified when this magazine went to press He did not play, but do not rule out another were , Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Benin magic Mantorras moment in January. and Mali. José will know all about the favourites Manuel José has promised that Angola Magic dozen: Didier Drogba of and reigning champions Egypt, who still will be tough to beat, and with him in Ivory Coast scores the winning penalty in a marathon 12-11 have Shehata as coach and charge, the hosts could yet cause a shock on victory against Cameroon in playmaker as their their own turf. the 2008 CAN Neil Marchand/Liewig Media Sports/Corbis

Cameroon striker CAN timetable Past winners Samuel Eto’o

The 16 teams are divided into 1990 Algeria four groups Michael Essien of Ghana jumps 1992 Ivory Coast above Nigerian opposition Kick-off: January 10 1994 Nigeria Group stages: January 10-21 Quarter finals: January 24-25 1996 South Africa Semifinals: January 28 1998 Egypt Third place play-off: January 30 2000 Cameroon Final: January 31 2002 Cameroon

2004 Tunisia

2006 Egypt

2008 Egypt Christian Liewig/Corbis Ben Radford/Corbis

18 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 19 SU24.CAN History.pp20-23:SU24 17/11/09 12:17 Page 20

CUP OF NATIONS

Trophy child: the Cup is carried on to the pitch at the final of the GOLDEN 2008 CAN in Ghana HISTORY Since it began in 1957, the CAN has been full of drama and surprises, says Ben Lyttleton

f football is about heroes, surprises and in their two matches. After becoming an drama, creating myths and triumph army colonel when he stopped playing, he Iovercoming adversity, then nothing en- returned to management and took over as capsulates the sport better than the Africa Egypt coach shortly before the the 1998 Cup of Nations, or CAN. Since its inception CAN in Burkina Faso. To the delight in 1957, the world’s second-oldest conti- of the Egyptian fans, the team won the tour- nental competition (which predates its Eu- nament, beating South Africa 2-0 in the ropean equivalent by three years) can final. El-Gohary remains the only man to rightly claim to have formed legends. have won the Nations Cup as both player Because the competition takes place and coach. six months before the World Cup, it is also That impressive achievement stands the ideal time to check out Africa’s leading comparison with that of C.K. Gyamfi, who lights before South Africa 2010: after all, was surprisingly selected by Ghana’s previous World Cup stars such as Abédi then-president Kwame Nkrumah as their Pelé, the Ghanaian forward, , national team coach. Nkrumah, a Cameroon’s dancing goal scorer, and pan-Africanist leader whose country had Rashid Yekini of Nigeria had already marked become the first African nation to achieve the CAN before putting on a show for the independence from its colonialist ruler in world. And don’t rule out seeing a World 1957, felt it was sending the wrong message Cup contender as Angola hosts the CAN for to have a foreign coach and so selected the the first time. The quality of the players is country’s only overseas professional, certainly there now, even if that has not al- Gyamfi, who played in Germany. ways been the case. Under Gyamfi, Ghana won the titles in 1963 and 1965, and the coach even returned Army colonel to the helm for a final spell in 1982. Ghana Back in 1957, Egypt only had to win two duly won in Libya (where a certain Abédi matches – against fellow African Confeder- Pelé emerged as a major star of the future), ation founding members and and Gyamfi left his post with a CAN Ethiopia – to lift the inaugural trophy. Two of having coached three and won three. years later, they repeated the feat with the Perhaps even more significantly, Ghana, same field, this time beating Sudan 2-1 in who reached the 2006 World Cup second the final. Their hero was Mahmoud round on their debut, have never won the

El-Gohary, who top-scored with three goals title since.  Getty Images

20 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 21 SU24.CAN History.pp20-23:SU24 17/11/09 12:17 Page 22 Ben Radford/Corbis EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport Neil Marchand/Liewig Media Sports/Corbis EMPICS Sport Although these coaches have marked 1992, managed to win the first ever Cup of finished fourth in the end, losing the semi- and 1980s, when the leagues retained their With the game goalless after 90 Cameroon looking revitalised under new the Cup of Nations, the tournament and its Nations they contested. final to eventual winners Ghana. At the best players and crowds flocked to stadiums minutes, and 1-1 after extra time, a penalty coach Paul Le Guen, and Ghana the first ongoing success is down to its To add to the lustre, it was at home, in time, Pokou was playing for Ivorian side to watch them. shoot-out ensued. For the first time in inter- African side to qualify for the World Cup, the players: the ones who have achieved great- 1996, and Nelson Mandela was present at ASEC , but his scoring record helped It is only more recently that African national football history, every player from big nations will approach Angola 2010 with ness on the back of their performances, the 2-0 final win over Tunisia (of course, he him move to France, where he played for players have become vital to Europe’s top both sides netted their penalty in the confidence. But upsets can happen, as and those for whom merely competing is was wearing a Bafana Bafana jersey). Stade Français, Rennes (twice) and Nancy. clubs, and even then the debt they owe their shoot-out to leave the scores tied at 11-11 Sudan’s win in 1970 and Congo’s in 1972 an accomplishment in itself. The beauty of the CAN is that just Zaire’s Mulumba Ndaye eclipsed predecessors is clear. The biggest influence after 22 kicks. prove. With African players now at the fore- taking part is sometimes enough: witness Pokou’s individual tournament total by on the career of Samuel Eto’o, who has won Then up stepped Eto’o, who had taken front of their club sides in Europe, the qual- Plane crash the minor miracle achieved by Rwanda, scoring a record nine goals in the 1974 two Champions League finals with Cameroon’s first penalty in the shoot-out, ity of the Nations Cup is stronger than ever From the latter camp comes the story of who qualified for the 2004 tournament just edition. However, that tally was helped by Barcelona, scoring in both of them, was and he missed. Didier Drogba then scored before, and that’s great news before the con- and their amazing efforts in the ten years after genocide had wiped out a Zaire reaching the final against Zambia. Roger Milla, top scorer in the 1986 and 1988 to hand the Ivorians an incredible 12-11 tinent hosts its first World Cup later in the 1994 CAN. Just one year earlier, in April sizeable majority of their population. And After drawing 2-2 and playing a replay for Nations Cups. victory. year. 1993, the entire squad, apart from team the team, made up of a mixture of Hutus the only time in CAN history, Zaire won that Eto’o’s motivation this time around is “African players are dominating captain , who was based in and Tutsis, performed admirably, winning 2-0 with Ndaye scoring all four goals. He Incredible body to join Egyptian duo Ahmed Hassan and Europe’s league competitions at the Holland and had made his own travel one, drawing one and losing one in their went into the World Cup later that year as “Roger wasn’t a very fast player but the as the only players to have moment and that’s no accident because arrangements, died when their military three group matches in their only appear- the talisman of the first black African nation things he could do with his body were won the title three times. Ahmed scored in they are all key players in their teams,” says plane crashed en route to Senegal. ance in the competition. to compete, but left somewhat tarnished incredible,” Eto’o marvels. “He had a whole the 1998 final and was also part of the 2006 Eto’o. “We need to make sure that an African It was truly remarkable, then, that a One thing is for sure: in Angola next after he was sent off during a humiliating range of feints up his sleeve. From his upper and 2008 winning sides, while Hossam’s nation wins the World Cup or at the very newly-assembled side, still led by the month, a new player will come along and 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia. body he would sometimes just move his achievement was even more remarkable: he least makes it to the semi-final. This could grieving Bwalya, reached the final of the stun everyone, just as Angola’s Manucho did In the 1980s, the Cup of Nations under- backside, or his legs would just go one way, picked up his first title in 1986, also played be the year for Africa.” 1994 edition, remaining unbeaten all the two years ago (just weeks after signing a went a huge change, as up until 1982 only but he could put defenders in a whirl in 1998 and, aged 40, played in 2006 as well. All eyes will be on Angola when the big way. Although they took an early lead in the deal with Manchester United). Africa-based players could play in the without even touching the ball.” With Egypt the reigning champions, kick-off finally gets under way.  final against Nigeria, they were defeated The history of players that have starred competition. When the ban on all those In 2008, Eto’o surpassed Pokou’s goals 2-1 – but could never be called losers after in the Cup of Nations is long and rich, with playing overseas was lifted, it effectively record and now has 16 after top-scoring in Top left to right: Ydnekatchew Tessema (left) in 1972 taking over as president of the African Football that. Africa’s finest all there: of marked the real beginning of an exodus to the last two editions. He has also lifted the Confederation, a post he held until 1987; Geremi of Cameroon in 2008; Ghana’s Abédi Pelé; the victori- Two years later came another notable Ivory Coast was the first to make himself Europe, which only reached serious levels trophy twice, in 2000 and 2002, although it ous 1974 Zaire team; Abédi Pelé again; Roger Milla of Cameroon success: South Africa, absent from interna- noticed, scoring six goals in 1968 and eight in the 1990s. There are still many African could have been three were it not for an Bottom left to right: win in 1976; Cameroon triumphant in 1988 (top); Ethiopia victorious in tional football for nearly three decades due in 1970, including five in a 6-1 win against football connoisseurs who insist that astonishing quarter-final match against 1962; of Nigeria; Mahmoud El-Gohary, the only person to have won the CAN as coach to FIFA’s apartheid suspension from 1964 to Ethiopia. Despite the goals, his side only Africa’s best football period was in the 1970s Ivory Coast in Egypt in 2006. and player; Ivory Coast 1984 (top); officials in Abidjan for the 1976 CAN; the Ethiopian team in 1963

22 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 23 SU24.CAN Venues.pp24-27:SU24 17/11/09 12:19 Page 24

CUP OF NATIONS

enguela is Angola’s self-proclaimed Farta. The city is relaxed and low-rise, with second city. Founded by the Por- plenty of cafés and tree-lined streets. Btuguese in 1617, it was once a major There is a good selection of hotels in LUANDA slave port linking Africa to Brazil. In the Benguela, from the comfortable but budget Population: 7 million 20th century it became the terminus for the Nancy’s to the more expensive Hotel Luso. Benguela Railway, which in its heyday Car hire is straightforward and good value, stretched 1,370 km (850 miles) from the but many people prefer to navigate the nearby port town of Lobito to Luau on the compact city on foot, stopping to admire border with the Democratic Republic of the colourful 1960s Portuguese bungalows. Congo. As well as the modern buildings, look Perched on the coast, about a five-hour out for the simple yet attractive Igreja de COCAN drive south of Luanda, Benguela is a Nossa Senhora do Pópulo and its special Benguela’s stadium is the second- popular weekend getaway from the capital. fishermen’s warning lamp, which glows red largest with a capacity of 35,000 There are two airports with regular links to after dark. The latest attraction to the area and will host a semi-final. Situated Luanda and other regional cities. is the new white suspension bridge which alongside the Benguela-Lobito Catumbela Airport is being upgraded and crosses the Catumbela River. There are Expressway halfway between the two cities, it is about a 15-minute its runway enlarged to accommodate inter- plenty of restaurants to choose from, all drive from central Benguela. The national flights for the CAN. serving good seafood as well as traditional second city is also home to  The central Praia Morena is a busy Angolan fare. Angola’s most famous player, meeting point, but for sun worshippers the Akwá, and has a number of football favourite destination is the stunning Baía clubs, including Nacional de Azul beach, 20km south on the road to Baía Benguela and Primeiro de Maio.

Court and Administration of Benguela

The Marginal Photolibrary BENGUELA Population: 200,000 uanda, Angola’s capital, began as a Luanda Sul, where some offices and busi- small fishing community in the 16th nesses are also relocating. Lcentury. Passing hands from the Although more hotels have been built Portuguese to the Dutch and back to the for CAN, rooms are always at a premium and Portuguese, it grew to become one of Africa’s visitors can expect to pay $250 or more per most important cities with its ocean-side night. location making it an important port, ini- Restaurants can also be expensive, but tially for slaves bound for Brazil but later for there is a wide choice, from the popular coffee, cotton, palm oil and other products. beachside haunts on Ilha such as Caribe and Today, the city is a vibrant mix of old Miami Beach, which often has live music, to colonial buildings, some lovingly restored, the Portuguese-style Veneza, the eclectic COCAN and modern steel and glass skyscrapers, ev- Bahia with its open-top bar, and some good Luanda’s stadium is the flagship idence of Angola’s growing prosperity. Lebanese and Chinese offerings. facility of the four stadiums, with a Although extremely crowded, the city retains The imposing Fortaleza de São Miguel, capacity of 50,000. It has a curved a certain charm with its palm-lined bayside which houses the Armed Forces Museum, is roof – representing the horns of Angola’s national symbol, the Marginal, soon to undergo a $127 million currently under restoration, but other places palanca negra – and is situated in makeover, and its lively bar and restaurant of interest include the Natural History Camama, 17km from the city centre  scene on the Ilha do Cabo. Museum and the Slavery Museum. and 10km from Luanda Sul on a new A drive south takes you to the Kissama dual carriageway. The opening and National Park and popular surfing beaches closing ceremonies of the CAN will and fishing resorts. be hosted here, as will the opening Overcrowding is a problem in Luanda, game and the championship final. but the government is investing in new Angola’s most successful clubs – houses, power lines and water supplies. A Primeiro de Agosto and Petro Atlético – play in the capital. suburb of apartments is being built in Kamene M Traça

24 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 25 SU24.CAN Venues.pp24-27:SU24 17/11/09 12:20 Page 26

CUP OF NATIONS

abinda is located to the north of lize municipalities and is home to many COCAN Angola, physically separated from trees of high commercial value for their tim- Cthe rest of the country by a strip of ber, including White Tola, Limba, Ma- LUBANGO the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fumeira, Tshikuali and Kambala. Population: 100,000 province measures 7,283 square metres and Traditional Cabinda dishes are muam- also shares a border with the Republic of bas or stews, made from a variety of ingredi- Congo. ents including peanuts, dried fish and Known mostly for its offshore oil rigs macoba beans. and large base owned by the Cabinda Gulf The main hotels in Cabinda City are Oil Company (CABGOC) – Chevron’s Angola Pôr do Sol, Maiombe and Simulambuco. subsidiary – Cabinda is rich in culture and Rooms are also available for the CAN in the traditions. The main ethnic group is the sports village near the stadium. A floating Cabinda was chosen as a CAN Bakongo and many people speak Ibinda, hotel with room for 120 people has been host city to help stimulate develop- also known as Fiote. French is also widely put on standby in case more accommoda- ment in the province. The Chiazi spoken due to the proximity to Congo. tion is needed. International Stadium will hold Zinongos (riddles), fables and traditional There are regular flights to Cabinda 20,000 people and is 15km north of Cabinda city. COCAN executive dances like Mayeye, Mutafala and Baina are from Luanda.  director António Mangueira – an integral part of the culture, as are masks known as Mangas – is Cabinda’s and wooden sculptures. most famous footballing son, West Africa’s Maiombe Forest, where having played for FC Porto and some of the trees are more than 50m high, other Portuguese club sides. stretches into Cabinda’s Buco Zau and Be-

Cristo Rei Kamene M Traça CABINDA Population: 300,000 ubango, and the surrounding Huíla Janeiro); the Tundavala Gorge, a dramatic province, is known for its strawberries, volcanic fissure where you can climb to LTundavala Gorge, motor racing and its 2,600km for stellar views and waterfalls; and locally-brewed N’Gola beer. The city was the Serra da Leba, a narrow road that zigzags originally established in 1885 as a settlement through the hills. There are countless other for people from the Madeira Islands and was monuments and natural beauty sports known pre-independence as Sá da Bandeira. within a short drive of the city of Lubango. Its position 1,761m above sea level gives it a The best place to eat, drink and watch cooler and more pleasant climate, allowing the world go by is the fashionable Huíla people more time to enjoy the quirky Por- Café, which serves enormous cake portions

tuguese architecture and the stunning pur- and great pizzas. COCAN ple flowers of the jacaranda trees which line The quaint hillside white-and-blue Lubango’s stadium is located in the the wide streets. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte is a copy Tchioco neighbourhood about 5km SABMiller, which runs the Coca Cola of a church in Funchal, Madeira, and was from the city centre. A new road is and the N’Gola beer factories in Lubango, is built by the early Madeiran settlers. Once a being built directly to the stadium a major employer and the province of Huíla popular tourist destination for the Por- and the Benguela Railway runs past is a major agricultural producer. tuguese, Lubango has the Nossa Senhora do the site. The 20,000-capacity The airport has international flights to Monte Tourist Complex (named after the stadium is being built by Chinese Windhoek and daily services to Luanda. A church), which includes a manicured park, construction firm Sino Hydro. good road links Lubango to Namibe a boating lake, tennis and basketball courts, Lubango’s airport is being reno- vated for CAN, and it is hoped the province in the south and onwards to the a casino and accommodation lodges. city’s range of facilities and its Namibian border, and it is easy to hire a car Every year Lubango hosts a 72-lap car proximity to South Africa will attract to make the trip to the coast or to drive and bike race around a city centre circuit 2010 World Cup teams  inland. over a total of 200kms. looking for alternative training Famous sights include the Cristo Rei locations.

statue (a copy of the Corcovado in Rio de Cocongo beach Fouad G. Hajj

26 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 27 SU24.Cables.pp28-31:SU24 17/11/09 12:16 Page 28

COMMUNICATIONS

Underwater superhighways Internet users in Angola are currently connected to Europe through just one subsea cable. Nina Hobson reports on the construction of three new cables that will improve the bandwidth available to the country by a factor of more than a hundred ➔ Peter Gudynas/Zap Art 2008

28 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 29 SU24.Cables.pp28-31:SU24 17/11/09 12:17 Page 30

COMMUNICATIONS

London, England SAT-3 online now, partners include France Telecom, s anyone who has visited sub-Saha- be around $600 million. AT&T, 120 gigabytes/sec ran Africa knows, the continent The real significance of all these A consortium of Angolan companies Asuffers from a lack of internet has raised $90 million. Angola Telecom MainOne online 2010, partners bandwidth, which means that connections undersea cables is that they will, in holds a majority 51 per cent stake in the include African Development to the rest of the world are often precarious Angolan consortium, with the remainder Bank, 1.92 terabytes/sec or slow. This is set to change over the next turn, lead to further infrastructure shared between Mundo Startel, Unitel, ACE online 2011, partners two years as three high-grade fibre-optic Mercury and Movicel. Sesimbra, Portugal include France Telecom, underwater cables are laid from Europe to expansion to bring this bandwidth to end António Nunes, the Angolan repre- Sonatel, 1.92 terabytes/sec Chipiona, Spain South Africa. “ sentative at the Wacs management The improvements will be of great users, especially the business world committee, said: “The major Casablanca, Morocco Wacs online 2011, partners benefit to Angola, where there is increasing challenge was to form a include Cable & Wireless 3.84 terabytes/sec demand for high-quality internet services are plans to increase it to 340 gb/s. Even project. Tyco Telecommunications will consortium of so many com- NB Illustrations/David Atkinson as the economy grows and diversifies. though this will be a welcome improve- supply the cable, which will offer a mini- panies working together.” Altavista, Canary Islands Today, when an Angolan logs on to the ment, it is only a small increase relative to mum capacity of 1.92 tb/s. The project is World Wide Web, the data will probably the speeds promised by the three new scheduled to be completed and operational On target travel along the only cable that currently cables, which will be measured in terabytes by June 2010, although some independent The Wacs project has been connects the country to the world per second (tb/s) - a terabyte is a thousand reports have suggested that further financ- running to schedule. Pieter ” Nouakchott, Mauritania computer network. This cable is called SAT- gigabytes. ing will have to be secured before the Uys, Vodacom chief execu-

3 and is the upgraded version of SAT-1, a second phase is initiated. tive and Wacs steering Dakar, Senegal cable that was originally laid in the 1960s. Bank backing The cable with the largest capacity, committee chairman, The Gambia Guinea- In the 1990s this became SAT-2, and finally, The first of the new cables, scheduled to 3.84 tb/s, is the West Africa Cable System added: “Wacs will have Conakry, Guinea

when a fibre-optic cable was installed in arrive next year, is MainOne run by US (Wacs) which goes from the UK to South ample capacity to serve the Freetown, Sierra Leone Monrovia, Liberia 2001, it became SAT-3. It links Portugal and company Main Street Technologies. Its Africa. The companies involved in this region’s international con- Accra,Lomé, Ghana Togo Abidjan, Cote D’IvoireCotonou, Benin Spain to South Africa, and a line heads off preliminary section will stretch 6,900km project include Angola Telecom, Broad- nectivity needs for many years Lagos, Nigeria Douala, Cameroon the main cable when it passes Angolan from Portugal to Ghana, while the second band Infraco, Cable & Wireless, MTN, to come.” territory, meeting the mainland at Cacuaco phase is expected to run 6,000km past Telecom Namibia, Tata Communications The final cable, Africa Coast near Luanda. Angola to South Africa. In June this year, the (Neotel), Portugal Telecom, Sotelco, Togo to Europe (ACE), was initially planned Libreville, Gabon The current capacity of SAT-3 is 120 African Development Bank confirmed $66 Telecom, Telkom South Africa and the to stretch from France to Gabon, but gigabytes per second (gb/s), although there million of financing for the first phase of the Vodacom group, and costs are expected to following the enormous growth in demand inland to Pointe-Noir, Congo for telecommunications in the region it will reach important Cacuaco, Angola now be extended to South Africa. cities such as Malanje Luanda, Angola Adones cable project The lead sponsor is France Telecom, and Huambo. The which is joined by 16 other telecommuni- Adones is now in its con- cations companies from different landing- clusive phase and is Cabinda point countries including Spain, Portugal, awaiting the signing of Soyo Morocco, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Senegal, agreements for commer- Gambia, Sierra Leone, Benin, São Tomé and cial use. In service N’zeto Príncipe, , Gabon and Walvis Bay, Namibia Online end of 2009 Angola. The ACE cable system, which will Racing ahead Online February 2010 Luanda be more than 14,000km long, will Actual improvements in A Public In-

Malanje Dondo be switched on in 2011 and will have a capacity will only come vestment Pro-

Porto Amboim minimum capacity of 1.92 tb/s. about with more connec- gramme has been set Alongside Wacs, MainOne and ACE, tions to population centres. up for the development Angola Telecom is also installing Angola’s “We are building the highways. of infrastructure to support first major domestic undersea cable along Then you have to build roads and the installation of the cables, and the law Benguela Huambo the coast between Cabinda and Namibe. secondary roads, and that usually takes of universal access implemented by the The Adones project connects to the SAT-3 more time,” said Étienne Lafougère of Ministry of Communications seeks to pro- Lucira intercontinental cable and will allow the Alcatel-Lucent, which is laying the cable for vide communication facilities for everyone. majority of Angola’s population much-im- Wacs. It is hoped that improvements in Lubango Namibe proved access to telecommunications. Because of the Africa Cup of Nations capacity and the extension of internet It stretches 1,500km from Cabinda in football tournament in January, the networks inland through the Adones the north, past the provinces of Zaire, Angolan government is racing to ensure the will make reliable telecommunications Luanda, Kwanza Sul and Benguela, to cables are installed as fast as possible, with services available to about 70 per cent of

NB Illustrations/David Atkinson Namibe in the south. It will also extend the necessary support across the provinces. Angolans. 

30 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 31 SU24.Palanca.pp32-37:SU24 17/11/09 12:23 Page 32

CONSERVATION

Up, up and away: a female palanca negra is hoisted by helicopter on its journey to a park BACK FROM breeding centre

THEAfter a dramatic helicopter rescue mission,DEAD scientists succeeded in locating the incredibly rare giant sable antelope. Universo reports on exciting news in the battle to save the national animal of Angola from extinction ➔ Richard Estas

32 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 33 SU24.Palanca.pp32-37:SU24 17/11/09 12:23 Page 34

CONSERVATION

A handler supports the Pedro Vaz Pinto holds horns of a blindfolded the horns of a pure adult female giant sable giant sable bull which as it is winched into the is still under sedation air by helicopter Pedro Vaz Pinto

he hunt began at first light with the trees as close to the animal as he could. palancas from Cangandala National Park. helicopter flying just above the From there, Morkel was able to fire a Sedated, blindfolded, their ears covered Ttreetops of Cangandala National sedation dart, bringing down the antelope. and legs tied, the animals, which can weigh Park, looking for signs of life. Within minutes it was under the full effects up to 250kg, were airlifted across the park Angolan environmentalist Pedro Vaz of the drug and ready to be fitted with by helicopters, including a Russian Pinto and South African veterinary expert a global positioning system (GPS) tracker M18 lent to the team by the Angolan Air Peter Morkel scanned the parkland below, collar. Force. They were taken to a special 2km-by- searching for the elusive giant sable ante- 2km fenced-off breeding area on one side lope or palanca negra gigante as they are Exciting of the park. All that was needed now was a known in Portuguese. “It was a really exciting chase each time,” male. With dung samples and six years of explained Vaz Pinto who works at the “We didn’t find any bulls in the park,” photographic evidence from stealth Catholic University of Angola. “We got said Vaz Pinto. “And while the females we cameras, Vaz Pinto knew the palancas – really close to the ground in the helicopter, did find were pretty fat and well fed, this which have majestic curved horns up to and we were just a few metres from the meant they had not been under any feeding 1.65m long – were there. It was just a case animals.” stress because they had not bred for a of finding them in the flesh. The first animal the team darted was a number of years. In fact, we think they had Unique to Angola, the palancas, hybrid, a cross between a palanca and a not been breeding for around eight years, already small in numbers, were hunted for roan antelope. “We collared her and used which means they have not reproduced food during Angola’s civil war and are her as a ‘Judas’ with the tracking system to since the end of the war.” believed to have dwindled to around 100 find the others,” said Vaz Pinto. “She led us From Cangandala, the next stop was with their future under serious threat. right to the other palancas.” across Malanje to Loando Reserve, the Before long the team spotted an Within days, Vaz Pinto and his team, second known habitat of the palanca. Vaz antelope, and Botswanan pilot Terence which included local shepherds and volun- Pinto had no recent photographic

Pedro Vaz Pinto O’Hara took the chopper down into the teers, had rounded up nine pure female evidence, just one positive DNA test on 

34 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 35 SU24.Palanca.pp32-37:SU24 17/11/09 12:24 Page 36

CONSERVATION CONSERVATION

Richard Estas dung the team had collected on an expectations. They really are outstandingly earlier trip. beautiful animals and their horns are Expert: ‘Amazing’ But the team was right to follow magnificent,” he said. its hunch and within days found It has been a long journey for Vaz Pinto An adult hybrid female sable after e may be 82 being fitted with a GPS collar enough animals to suggest the who has dedicated six years of his life to years old, presence of at least one healthy tracking the palanca. How does he feel now Hbut that did herd of giant sable. From these they following this successful expedition and did not stop Richard chose one to take to the breeding he ever think of throwing in the towel? Estes from flying area in Cangandala. “I feel fantastic,” he said, “I don’t see it from his home in as an ending point; I see it as another step, America to travel Prime bull an increase of our responsibilities. Let’s deep into the An- “In Luando we found 15 bulls and continue, let’s go to the next level. I never golan bush to take darted eight,” said Vaz Pinto. “We reached the point where I could not carry part in this latest captured one to take to join the on. But it has been frustrating at times, expedition. And Estes, acknowledged as the Richard Estas females – if we had put two in especially for the past two or three years world’s leading authority on the palanca there, they would have killed each when every time we defined what the negra, was duly rewarded for his efforts. other. The bull we chose was 11 picture was it turned out to be worse than “I did not think we would find a single years old and we picked him we expected. bull, so to find as many as we did was amaz- because we hoped he would be ing,” he said, speaking from his home in New experienced but still in his breeding Miracle Hampshire. “This is an absolutely seminal prime. We will have to see what “But we have definitely been rewarded for step for the project.” happens.” our perseverance. In Cangandala, the Estes, an associate of the Harvard Mu- This expedition comes a century palanca was not critically endangered – it seum of Comparative Zoology and former after the first discovery of the animals was virtually extinct. We were reduced to a chairman of the World Conservation Union’s by Belgian railroad engineer Frank handful of females that were not breeding Antelope Specialists’ Group, began his Varian, who was working in Angola because there were no males. research into the giant sable in the 1960s. in 1909. “It’s almost a miracle achievement in After studying wildebeests in the Richard Estas Still high on the results, Vaz Pinto Cangandala because it is as if we have Serengeti as part of his doctorate research, told Universo: “It was an outstanding brought them back from the dead.” Estes and his wife Runi travelled through success. It exceeded all our expecta- Vaz Pinto’s work began in 2003, one Zambia, Rhodesia, South Africa, tions and we think the chances of the year after peace came to Angola, and the and Victoria Falls and arrived in Angola in animals breeding are very good. The main sponsor has been Block 15 which late 1968, where they spent a year in a wattle timing could not have been includes Esso, Sonangol and other house in the Loando Reserve observing the better because now is the tradi- partners. The Angolan Ministry of Environ- rare antelope. tional mating season for the giant ment has also been a partner on the project Estes returned to Angola in 1982, post- sable. We hope that by May or June and Vaz Pinto hopes these latest successes independence and as the civil war raged. He next year we will have at least will bring more support. spent a week in Cangandala National Park seven calves. “We think now the responsibility from and captured what were to be the last photo- “Getting close to that government is higher because there is only graphs of any palancas for three decades, Pedro Vaz Pinto first bull was incredible. But for so much we can do as a university,” he said. until Vaz Pinto caught images of them on me, the most emotional part was “There are problems with poachers and the secret cameras planted in the bush. when we put the bull into the government must step in to make sure the In 2000, Estes went back to Angola. breeding area with the law is deployed in terms of securing the Then, two years later, he returned to take females, and stood back to areas where the palancas are.” part in the famous post-war Noah’s Ark mis- watch how they interacted. This expedition not only coincides sion when large numbers of wild animals The females seemed quite with the 100th anniversary of the first were transported back to Angola in a bid to receptive to the male; they discovery of the palancas, it has also come restock the parks. immediately surrounded him a few months ahead of the 2010 Africa Cup Estes added: “Angola could become a and followed him everywhere. I of Nations, which this year is hosted in safari tourism destination one day, but it think he will find it hard to Angola where the national football team is depends on the environment of the country. have his own space over the next known as the Palancas Negras. “It is quite a The government has an ethical and moral few weeks. It couldn’t be more coincidence,” said Vaz Pinto. “Let’s hope it’s responsibility – as do all Angolans – to pro- promising. a good luck charm and that the soccer team tect and preserve their national ecosystems.”

“They matched all my does as well.”  Pedro Vaz Pinto

36 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 37 SU24.Sonangol News.pp38-39:SU24 17/11/09 12:24 Page 38

Sonangol news briefing NEWS

il prices have continued to rise and so has Open door Power deal Angola’s production, Private oil companies are to be Sonangol has signed a five-year partnership O allowed to enter Angola’s lucrative EDP - Energias de Portugal which hit 1.79 million barrels per refining business, following a govern- deal with Portugal’s main utility company, day (bpd) in October, overtaking ment decision in late September. It is Energias de Portugal (EDP), to study and Nigeria and establishing the hoped the liberalisation of Angola’s oil implement electricity-generation projects in Angola. Banco Privado Atlântico (BPA) country once again as Africa’s refining, storage, transportation and distribution businesses, all currently and Portugal’s Finicapital are also part of biggest oil producer. operated by Sonangol, will speed up the deal to create a holding company to Angola was due to export an the supply of products to the market. handle possible projects in the field of average of 1.81 million bpd of With only one refinery, the oil-producing conventional and renewable-power nation’s 39,000-bpd facility near Luanda generation. crude oil in November, down supplies just 10 per cent of petroleum The implementation of the projects, to from October but still above its needs. The rest is imported and delays be chosen by the partners, depends on output target set by the Organiza- due to congestion at the port often lead technical and economic-feasibility studies. EDP, Sonangol and BPA will each have a 30 tion of the Petroleum Exporting to shortages at petrol stations. Sonan- gol is building an $8 billion per cent stake in the holding company, Countries (Opec) which is cited refinery in the southern port of Lobito while Finicapital will hold 10 per cent. officially as 1.52 million bpd. which is due to open in 2011. Angolan Oil Minister José Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos Good deed has admitted the country is ex- BP has reiterated its commitment to iStockphoto.com ceeding its Opec targets and has Angolan youth at the inauguration of a newly-refurbished Scout hut in Luanda. suggested that Angola should José Patrício, head of BP Angola, told get special measures like Iraq to state media that education was high on compensate for its troubled past his company’s priority list and he was happy that it could help support the and construction needs, which it Scouting movement in the country. is funding through oil revenues. The next Opec meeting will Photolibrary take place in Angola on Decem- New garden ber 21. The two-day meeting will Tall tower Sonangol and Total subsidiary Tepa announced in October the Total change be held at the Talatona Conven- An oil-production facility offshore Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron first oil discovery in Block 17/06. The Phillipe Chalon has taken over from the company.” Africa and Latin America Exploration tion Centre in the capital Luanda. Angola, featuring one of the tallest deep offshore Gardenia-1 well was Olivier de Langavant as Total EP director Total has been present in Angola man-made structures in the world, has and Production, said: “Tombua- general. Chalon comes to Angola from since 1953 and has operating stakes in It is traditional for the home coun- drilled up to a depth of 977 metres. started producing oil. Located 80km Landana highlights our strong commit- “This first discovery of Gardenia-1 con- the Total headquarters in where he oil blocks 0, 14, 17 and 32, as well as a try of the organisation’s president, from the Angolan coast in Block 14, in ment to Angola where we are progress- firms the potential of the north-western was director of finance, economics and share in the Angola LNG project in Soyo, in this case José Botelho de Vas- approximately 366m of water, Chevron’s ing more than a dozen large capital part of Block 17/06,” a Total spokesman information technology. which is due to start producing in Tombua-Landana project comprises a projects.” concelos, to host the final meet- said. “A campaign of further drilling on Chalon, who began his career as a January 2012. 1,554ft (474m) compliant piled tower. Chevron, through CABGOC, has a the block will start on the fourth quarter geophysicist, told Universo: “I am very Its operational investments in ing of each year. The $3.8 billion development, which 31 per cent interest and is the operator 2009.” much looking forward to working in Angola in 2009 were $4 billion. As well as On January 1, 2010, German- is designed to allow zero discharge of of the Block 14 contractor group which Angola. It is a very interesting country oil exploration and production, Total ico Pinto, Ecuador’s Minister of produced water and zero routine gas includes Sonangol P&P (20%), Eni and there are many challenges, particu- also funds a number of socioeconomic flaring, is expected to achieve peak Angola Exploration B.V. (20%), Total larly in terms of technology and human programmes in health, education and Mines and Oil, will officially take production of 100,000 bpd of crude E&P Angola (20%) and Galp Energia resources. We want as much as possible economic development and has opened over the presidency. ➔ oil in 2011. (9%). to have Angolans working at all levels in a specialist petroleum school in Luanda.

38 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 39 SU24.LNG.pp40-45:SU24 17/11/09 12:22 Page 40

NEWS

NATURAL

Angola’s massive liquefied natural gas plant is on schedule to open for GASbusiness in 2012 ➔ Pictures: Angola LNG

40 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 41 SU24.LNG.pp40-45:SU24 17/11/09 12:22 Page 42

NEWS NEWS

onstruction is advancing fast at “There has been a tremendous collab- the fishing community get government Map showing the the Angola Liquefied Natural Gas oration from our shareholders, from the identification cards so that they could open proposed pipelines C(LNG) site near Soyo and the plant government of Angola, from Sonangol and bank accounts and receive compensation from Blocks 0/14, is on track to start shipping gas in the first from the local government in Zaire from the LNG project. 15, 17 and 18 to quarter 2012, says Oil Minister José Botelho province.” The process was lengthy in a commu- the onshore refinery de Vasconcelos. nity where few can read and write and The facility, currently Angola’s largest Vision photographs are still a novelty, but the construction project, will produce around Rocha said there were close to 4,500 people team’s perseverance paid off. 5.2 billion tonnes (6.8 billion cubic metres) working on site, with nearly 2,000 Angolans The LNG plant will increase a year of LNG and related products for from the local Soyo area, which was making commercial marine traffic, so the fisher- export to the United States. an important contribution to the local men, who use tiny wooden boats, are Construction of the plant in Zaire economy. starting to work further out to sea. To help province in northern Angola started in “Private companies are beginning to them to do this safely and efficiently, they 2008, and earlier this year work began to open up in Zaire province now,” he said. have been supplied with nets, lines, floats, build the pipelines from Blocks 0/14, 15, 17 “Our vision is that the LNG plant will serve life jackets, navigation lights and radar and 18 to the onshore facility. as a catalyst so that more services will be reflectors. Antonio Órfão, Chairman of Sonan- available to the population and this is al- Rocha added: “Health is another key gol’s gas subsidiary Sonagás and Angola ready happening. We are seeing not just di- area but we’re not doing this alone. All this LNG, told Universo: “Our project, the rect jobs but also indirect jobs from support is being done in partnership locally – we are largest project of any kind ever constructed functions.” just the enablers. Key themes are raising onshore in Angola, is going well and we are Órfão added: “The vision from the HIV awareness and we have established a still on course to have the first LNG produc- partners is that people who will work on the blood bank which is very important in pre- tion in the first quarter of 2012. plant will be living in Soyo with their fami- venting people being infected by contami- “Angola is already known for its oil, but lies. We already have many workers living in nated blood.” this LNG project really puts the country on Soyo – so this process is also starting.” the map in terms of natural gas. This is the As well as creating jobs, housing and Wildlife country’s first large natural gas project and associated investment in Zaire province, As well as protecting the local people, we hope to have many others.” Angola LNG has a budget of $65 million to Angola LNG is doing its best to protect the Daniel Rocha, Angola LNG Operating spend on social projects, in areas such as local environment. “One of the beaches is a Company manager, said: “Things are going health, education, electricity and others. hatching area for turtles,” explained Rocha. very well. Engineering is 95 per cent com- At the start of the dredging in 2006, the “We secured the beach so there is no plete. In fact, the project is slightly ahead of team made a record of all the fishermen intrusion and we brought in some marine schedule, which is quite unusual these and fish traders in the area who might be biologists to help relocate those turtles into days, so we are very excited. affected. This information was used to help safe grounds. “We have two dedicated staff biologists Pressing ahead: because Soyo is a very rich area as far as the LNG plant wildlife goes. Whenever we come across takes shape snakes, reptiles or other creatures, we take good care to capture them and release What is LNG? them into adjoining areas. When hydrocarbons are under oil extraction process. carbon dioxide, sulphur and water “Our project went through an pressure, as they are when inside an The idea behind Angola’s from the natural gas, resulting in environmental and social-impact assess- oil reservoir, they are in liquid form. liquefied natural gas (LNG) LNG that is almost pure methane ment. It was a very transparent and When this liquid is brought project is to pipe this gas from oil so that it can be transported easily public process; there was a public to the surface, there is a change rigs to an onshore plant which and economically by ship and by hearing with government agencies and in pressure which sees the lighter will cool the gas to liquefy it and truck. local NGOs. hydrocarbons like methane, ethane, make it an exportable energy LNG takes up about 1/600 the “We are operating in the public propane and butane return to their product. volume of gaseous natural gas. eye under tremendous scrutiny; the one natural gas state. Cooling natural gas to about While in the past it was relatively thing we take very seriously is the environ- On an oil rig this gas is either -160°C at normal pressure results expensive to produce, advances in ment and the communities where we are burnt off or “flared”, used to power in the condensation of the gas into technology are reducing the costs operating.” gas turbines or re-injected into the liquid form, known as LNG. associated with the liquefaction Angola LNG is made up of Sonagás (22.8%), Chevron (36.4%), and Total, ENI reservoir to maintain pressure in the Liquefaction removes oxygen, and re-gasification of LNG. and BP (all 13.6%). 

42 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 43 SU24.LNG.pp40-45:SU24 17/11/09 12:22 Page 44

NEWS NEWS

Animal welfare a priority for Angola LNG

Warren Klein: Warren Klein is Angola LNG’s very own jungle man ‘snake advisor’. As the external wildlife specialist for the project’s biodiversity programme, Klein headed into the plant’s 100-hectare site on Kwanda Island at the mouth of the Congo River looking for snakes, lizards and other small mammals. Once collected and identified, the creatures were relocated to similar habitats close by. Beehives were also included in the programme and records were made of all the finds, which included the African python (Python sebae) which is protected by the Con- vention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The majority of the animals relocated were reptiles, such as the West African mud turtle, the forest cobra, the red-lipped herald snake and the African beauty snake. The mammals included Vervet mon- keys, cane rats, genets and a variety of smaller rodents. Also discovered during the site clearance were a number of Olive Rid- ley sea turtles which came ashore to lay eggs above the high-tide line on the Congo River. LNG has teamed up with turtle experts from the Wildlife Conser- vation Society to study the turtle popu- lation in the area and work out how to protect them. Maps of nesting habits have been drawn up and all sea turtles found in the area are noted and tagged to help the researchers study their migratory paths. The sea turtle researchers and their assistants are called tar- tarugueiros and they patrol the beaches at night during the September to March breeding season. During this time, the females come to the beach every 15 days to each lay about 130 eggs. These take 60 days to hatch. Turtles need at least 20 years to reach maturity, but only one out of every 1,000 survives to adulthood so protecting their breeding habitats is essential to the species’ survival. Education programmes have also been set up to deter local people from taking the eggs. Readers can monitor the progress of the sea turtles in Soyo at www.seaturtle.org 

44 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 45 SU24.biocom.pp46-49:SU24 17/11/09 12:14 Page 46

NEWS SUGAR

POWERBiocom, a company partly owned by Sonangol, has already planted its first fields of sugar cane to make ethanol. We speak to Biocom president Rui Gourgel about the importance of green fuels ➔ Photolibrary

46 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 47 SU24.biocom.pp46-49:SU24 17/11/09 12:14 Page 48

NEWS

Citizen cane: What is Biocom? on contract. The aim is to create 500 jobs, There is sometimes environmental Biocom president Biocom is a partnership between Sonangol of which 350 will be filled by Angolans and opposition to projects like yours – Rui Gourgel (20%), Damer (40%) and Odebrecht (40%). 150 by expatriates. By the third year of the what is your view on that? Our operations are based in Cacuso in project, we hope to have replaced the One of the big problems with using sugar Malanje province, about 70km from majority of the expatriates with Angolans. cane is the large amounts of land needed. Malanje city. There we will be planting The government told us exactly where we 20,000 hectares of sugar cane and building What will the project bring, apart could site this plantation. Like all compa- a factory to process sugar, ethanol and from sugar, ethanol and electrical nies taking on this type of business, we electricity. The value of the business is $220 power? have to take into account and respect all million. This is a very important project for our the rules and systems established for the country because we are relaunching preservation of the environment and How much sugar, ethanol and agricultural production, and developing biodiversity. Without this respect, projects electricity will you make? from pure agriculture to agro industry. We do not happen. There were very few people We hope to make around 280,000 tonnes of are also decentralising industry away from living in the area of the plantation, but sugar a year. This will be the first sugar to the capital Luanda into the interior which there were a lot of trees which we had to be produced inside Angola since before the is creating new areas of knowledge, jobs take down. After an environmental-impact war. Currently, 100 per cent of all sugar is and wealth. Since we are investing in non- study, we have taken certain measures in a imported so this will be an important step. oil and non-diamond sectors, we are taking bid to mitigate the effects that clearing this We are looking first to supply the Angolan a very important step in the diversification land could have on the environment. market but after that we may consider of our economy. Our project will bring di- We will be replanting trees in the areas exporting. rect benefits to Cacuso in terms of develop- around the project and making sure that We will also use the cane to produce ment. the area’s biodiversity is maintained. We 30,000 cubic metres of ethanol a year which will also be taking care with the types of will be aimed at the industrial market You are planning to produce sugar, products we use. There will be a series of within Angola. Studies are under way to ethanol and electricity – what measures taken which will guarantee that find out more about potential buyers and about biofuels? Is this something the effect on the environment will be the the characteristics of the ethanol people for the future? minimum possible.  want. We are also identifying some poten- I believe so, yes. At the moment Angola tial external clients to whom we could ex- does not have legislation to produce port in the future. biofuels, but if this legislation were passed Sweet process The leftover cane which does not make then we are prepared to make tests for this. sugar or ethanol will be used to produce We have the basic equipment, so we would electricity – around 217,000 megawatts only need to make some changes if the a year. This is a considerable amount of country opened up to biofuel production. electricity, about the same as one turbine at In the immediate future there is no Capanda Dam produces, and it will help perspective to stop producing oil, but the supply energy to the area around our plant. country also needs to prepare itself to use technologies and sooner or later oil will be Have you started operations? replaced by clean fuels. By being part of We have already planted 150 hectares of Biocom, Sonangol is starting to prepare for sugar cane at a nursery site at Kalakala in the future. Catete and we are now transferring that to iStockphoto.com the main site at Cacuso. The aim is to have Is Biocom the beginning of a new Sugar cane can be made into at least the first sugar cane harvest in June 2010 wave of projects in Angola? three products: when raw sugar and to start producing ethanol soon after Angola has enormous potential for agro in- cane juice is evaporated, this makes that. The equipment for the processing dustry, and we hope we can expand our the sugar we use in cooking. The factory is currently being made and will model into other provinces. We hope this is residue produces ethanol, which can be used in the fabrication of medi- soon be on its way to Angola. only the beginning. We have heard people cines, cosmetics, explosives, deter- talking about similar initiatives in other gents, inks, solvents and food How many jobs will Biocom gener- areas of the country. I believe that after this ate? products. The leftover cane is project, these initiatives will advance for crushed to make bagasse, which is At the moment, we have a staff of 35, of the good of Angola. We need to stop having used as fuel in the generation of whom 30 are Angolans and five are expatri- to import products which we can produce electricity.

Kamene M Traça ate workers. A further 42 farm workers are perfectly well ourselves.

48 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 49 SU24.map.pp50-51:SU24 17/11/09 12:23 Page 50

THE BIG PICTURE: MOUNTAINS Leba Words by Igor Cusack CONGO

m 2000 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Cabinda 1500

1000

500 Zaire 0 Uíge

Bengo

Kwanza Norte Lunda Norte Luanda Malanje Kamene M Traça

Kw ngola is not usually thought of as a marvellous view of the city below. One of these is the mountain-dwelling The an Malanje z a mountainous land, yet more Two of the most famous natural land- Angola Cave-Chat, a rare species only a Athan half the country is on a vast marks in Angola are close to Lubango. At found in Angola. The bird has an Lunda Sul plateau between 1,000 and 2,000 metres Tundavala (2,252m) on the main extremely localised distribution along the Kwanza Sul in altitude. escarpment there is a massive gorge with escarpment of western Angola, where it

Sumbe South of the Kwanza River the hills a breathtaking view down to the desert is confined to four areas including Nhenjo Mountain rise sharply from the coastal lowlands and coastal plain well over 1,000m Nhenjo Mountain (2,135m) in Kwanza and form a high escarpment facing the below. The other marvel of the area is Sul. Morro do Moco Luena west, extending from a point east of man-made, the amazing road built over To see the bird here it is necessary to Luanda and running south through to the high face of the Serra da Bandeira at walk up through the dry habitat of the Namibia. This wide steep slope reaches Leba. Kumbira Forest, climbing the mixed Huambo Kuito 2,400m at its highest point, southeast of During colonial rule in the 1960s, var- sandy and rocky face of the escarpment Huambo Bié the town of Sumbe, and is steepest in the ious routes were planned to link Namibe to an altitude of 1,250m above sea level. Benguela Moxico far south in the Serra da Chela moun- and Lubango. The engineer in charge, Tundavala gorge Serra do tain range. Rego Cabral, chose the shortest route, Chilengue The most mountainous parts of An- some 175km, as opposed to a much gen- gola are mainly situated in the zone 100 tler but longer 264km option which km to 200km from the Atlantic coast. would have approached Huambo from Many of the country’s biggest cities are the south. Tundavala Huíla well over a thousand metres above sea Constructing the road involved a mas- ZAMBIA Lubango level: Huambo (1,710m), Kuito (1,687m), sive climb up the escarpment of the Serra Leba Serra da Chela Lubango (1,736m), Luena (1,329) and da Bandeira. The work involved building Malanje (1,178m). The highest point in sections which included numerous Angola is the Morro do Moco which hairpin bends using methods which had Kuando Namibe Kubango reaches a height of 2,620m and is located been employed in the Swiss Alps. Cunene to the northwest of Huambo. Now that peace has come to Angola, Any tourists hoping to see the beauty birdwatchers are able to tour the high- of Angola’s highland areas should head land areas for interesting sightings. Or- to Lubango, which is surrounded by nithologist Nik Borrow has noted that “a mountains up to 2,200m high, one of wealth of mouth-watering specialities is

NB Illustrations/David Atkinson NAMIBIA which is topped by a statue of Christ with now within reach”.

50 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 51 BOTSWANA The Wire for Africa Saving the DECEMBER 2009 Subsea cables palanca negra Animal Rescue INSIDE: oil and gas news Football star Manucho aims for victory at the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Luanda in January Viva Angola! Universo

SONANGOL UNIVERSO ISSUE 24 – DECEMBER 2009 SU24-cover:Layout 1 17/11/09 10:37 Page 1 Page 10:37 17/11/09 1 SU24-cover:Layout