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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

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Nov 2018 00:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sun 4 Nov 2018 10:06GMT
  • Mon 5 Nov 2018 00:06GMT

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