THE PROVINCE OF BENGUELA

Famous for its beaches, Benguela is situated on the coast in the centre of Angola. It has a tremendous geographical diversity and owes its name to the Benguela cold stream which runs from Antarctica. Its location makes Benguela an important connection between the country's different regions.

The main cities of the province of Benguela are the cities of Benguela, Lobito and Baía Farta.

 The location of S. Filipe was very bad since it was surrounded by swamps and was also fatal for the majority of the population that passed away of the worst diseases.

The dream of the Cambambe silver mines fell apart and the copper of Benguela took its place In the fanatical minds of the big subsoil richness explorers. 

The few dry fish that was produced and salt also gave their contribution to this situation allowing the exchange for goods from the tableland: at the beginning cereals, wax, rubber and ivory and then cattle, manioc, castor oil plant and sisal. Benguela began to be considered as the most important commercial harbour after Luanda; it was the departure and arrival point of exchange caravans.

Mokamba (that in the native’s language means Benguela) was the symbol of commercial prosperity and the Mecca of businessmen. A new life begins and under this climate began to appear villages, intermediary cities and production centres of goods in the inland: the purpose was Benguela. And it was from Benguela that came out the majority of settlers that founded cities to the East. So the myth of Benguela becomes Known – City, Mother of Cities. Catengue, Ganda, Cubal, Quinjenje, Cuma, Longonjo, Lépi and Caála were born.

Then Huambo was named Cidade de Nova Lisboa thanks to the immortal dream of Norton de Matos; in the inland and always to East appeared Bela Vista, Chinguar and Silva Porto (Cuíto). And around these villages others started to appear. One of the most valuable contribution given to this penetration was undoubtedly the work of international value, built rail by rail in thousands of km, discovering new roads and better regions for settlement – that work is the Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (Benguela Railway Road).

The need for an harbour and the wonderful conditions of the ancient Catumbela das Ostras from the time of Manuel Cerveira Pereira, gave form to Lobito. The creation of this harbour and city confirmed the importance of the phenomenon of colonisation made from Benguela in a range of about 1300 km – from the coast to the frontier. But the crisis in Benguela became stronger when the trade with the natives began to disperse. The economic situation got worse after the fall of the international quotation of the sisal produced in the outskirts after the 2^nd World War. The square of Benguela worked in great scale with the sisal of the surrounding inland regions and the majority of their capitals was lost with the fall of quotation. So, what was left of those capitals was directed to another kind of business: fishing.

The coast of Benguela was a true wealth: the boats came full of fish and fish meant real money. Money started to appear. Sea workers arrived from Portugal settling there and like this the kingdom of fishing began. Thanks to the profits, lots of houses, little an big buildings were built by destroying the old “adobe”. In 1948 the urbanization plan of Benguela began. The development of Benguela is due to the fishing industry meaning a jump to progress that can never be equalled.

The cultural and social events have been relevant through the times. Benguela was the pioneer of journalism in Angola and the cradle of athletes and teams that made history in the Angolan sport. In the surroundings of Benguela there is a group of the most interesting beaches: Caóta and Caotinha, Baía Azul and Baía Farta are their names and in all of them are ideal conditions for sportive fishing and scuba diving. In Baía Azul there is a touristic infrastructure run by the Baía Azul Hotel.

Beaches

Praia Morena: You can see Benguela smiling at you on the fine white sands of this beach, which starts in downtown Benguela, where the main govemment buildings and hotels are located and stretches out over I 000 metres. This beach is popular among young courting couples.

Baía de Santo António: Three kilometers long

Praia da Caota: Ten km. from the city centre, it is 400 metres long. Its clean waters are smooth, this beach being a mixture of sand and pebbles, making it a good spot for scuba diving.

Praia da Caotinha: 20 km. from the city centre, it owes its name ("Little Caota beach") to its size (just 150m. long). You can reach this beach going round the Morro (hill) da Caota.

Praia da Baía Azul: This is a splendid beach south of Benguela, three kilometers long. It is named after its blue waters. Baía Azul is considered as the Mother of Beaches in the Baía Farta area, many of which can be found in inlets along the coastline.

The trade of rubber began in 1888 and was the basis of a tremendous development. “It was a real rubber excitement – everything was made of plastic, there was a lot of money and everyone wanted to be dealer. The most important commercial houses opened offices in Lisbon and many firms were born. With such an evolution, the links between Catumbela and Benguela, served by roads with excellent art works, needed a modern system of transport faster than the bull car and than the boats that navigated near the coast.

That’s how the idea of the railway was born. The last two decades of 19^th Century can be considered the peak period of Catumbela, helped by special geographical aspects related to the commercial life with the local populations. Catumbela, famous and beautiful village, is today a stable land. The present and the future give it agricultural traditions that imposed it in the past to the conquerors from the kingdom of Benguela. They made it famous for its precious source of richness during the tough periods of lack of food.

By order of 28 November 1902, the great statesman and council president, Teixeira de Sousa, granted in the name of the Portuguese government to sir Robert Williams the contract of concession to construct and explore during 99 years the railway road that would link Lobito to the tableland of Benguela getting to the East till the luso-Belgian frontier. When the construction works began in 1 March 1903 it also began the brilliant history of the harbour of Lobito and were born at the same time the roots of this important city.

The excellent bay that shelters the harbour of Lobito, measures approximately 5 km of length, it has an entry of 600 m, the wider part measures 1,5 km with depths between 15 and 36 m and the biggest tide amplitude is of 1,9 m exceeding its 300000 square m of area. The first place of the works was finished in 31 January 1928 but there was afterwards the need to enlarge the quay that happened in 1957 giving Lobito two quays of 1.122 m forming an “L”. It was also built a shipyard called today “Estalnave”, the biggest of Angola.

The beaches of Lobito, in the city itself, are easy to get to and are near hotel accommodation. The best known are Restinga, Cabaia, Compão and Liro in the baía de Lobito, which is so large it could accommodate the /th Fleet of the US Navy.

Culture
There are many places ofhistorical and cultural interest around Benguela: Ermida da Nossa Senhora da Graça (7 km outside the city), Ermida da Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (7 km.), Ponta do Sombreiro, (Faro, 27 km.), a pátio with a panoramic view at caotinha (26 km.), the Church of Nossa Senhora de Popolo (National Monument built in 1748).

In the surroundings of Lobito: Palácio do Governo (old colonial style architecture), Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Arrábida (17th century), Quilve lighthouse, Termas (Spa) da lomba (22 km.), Barra do Rio Cumbal (32 km.), Bela Vista belvedere, Vila da Catumbela (8 km.), São Pedra da Catumbela lighthouse (9 km.), Nossa Senhora Aparecida belvedere (9 km.)

Information
The Camival of Lobito is famous all over Angola, this being the second largest in the country, after Luanda.

News:

Entrepreneurial Programme Takes UNDP Delegation To Lobito

Benguela, 08/25 - The entrepreneurial programme for Angola that has been drawn by the UNDP will support the country`s process of national reconstruction in the sectors of professional training and micro-firms.

The UNDP mission that is in Benguela province since Monday, inspected today the state of the professional training infrastructures, in the municipality of Lobito, linked to the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (Inefop).

At the end of this afternoon the UNDP delegation, together with the local technical team, will meet with the Non Governmental Organisations which deal in small businesses, aiming at finding out the existing difficulties and outline the mechanisms to include the professional training centres in the projects to be implemented.

The total value of the entrepreneurial programme for Angola is of 4 million Dollars, to cover areas the areas of professional training, as well as micro, small and medium firms.

According to the head of the delegation, Filipina Ofelia Eugenio, the programme outlines the reduction on production costs, providing employment to the population and facilitate the increase of the incomes, thus, contributing to the fight against poverty in the country.

A source with the provincial branch of Inefop has said that this process will be beneficial, and that it might even result in a finacing for the re-launch of professional training and employment centres.

On Tuesday, the UNDP delegation had a meeting with the Association of Businesswomen of Benguela.

The entrepreneurial programme for Angola comprises the UNDP, the Government and ChevronTexaco.

 

South African Deputy President Left For Benguela Province

Luanda, 08/24 - The South African Vice-President, Jacob Zuma, left today the Angolan capital, Luanda, bound for Benguela, where he will get acquainted with the socio-economic reality of this southern coastal province.

Jacob Zuma, who is accompanied by the Angolan Premier, Fernando Dias dos Santos, will, among other activities, visit the "Sonamet" building yard, an Angolan infrastructures building firm for the oil sector, and the Lobito harbour.

In Angola since Sunday, the deputy President of South Africa came along with his Ministers of Defence, MGP Lekota, of Transports, JT Radebe, of Trade and Industry, MB Mpahlwa and the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mining, LM Xingwana.

On his arrival to Angola, Jacob Zuma said that his visit aims, first of all, to strengthen the historic relations between both countries, which date back from the liberation struggle of the respective peoples.

On Wednesday morning he will meet, in Luanda, with the Angolan businessmen and with members of the diplomatic body accredited in the country. He is due to return to South Africa yet in the same day afternoon.

FUND FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT INVESTS IN BENGUELA

Benguela, 04/28 - The Fund for Social Support (fAS) will invest this year in the rehabilitation and building of basic infrastructures in the districts of Bocoio and Balombo in the Central Benguela Province, under a third loan, whose amount will be approved by the Angolan Government and the World Bank. For ist implementation, Fas has been carried out a training programme for agents of communitary development, in order to assure a major supporting of projects being financed by this organism.

Thus, 28 communitary agents, among them Administrators, are attending on Monday a workshop on the strategic and operational planning, under Fas responsability. It ends on May 09, 2003. Fas invested last year 2,700,000 dollars in social projects in Benguela, Lobito and Baia Farta districts.
 

BENGUELA:CHINA SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT PROEJCTS

BENGUELA: CEMENT FACTORY INCREASES OUTPUT LEVELS

Benguela, 03/12 - ENCIME a cement factory located at Lobito district in Angola`s south-west Benguela province intends to set up a new mill capable to produce about 200 tons of cement a year until the end of this year aiming the expansion of the market.

According to company`s manager, Mr Aires Buster, the intention is to expand ENCIME`s influence in the country`s inland provinces, specially in the Central and South zones, for having the high level of demand towards the current 70 000 tons of cement produced annually.

He added that, with the triplication of the production rates, it aims to satisfy the market needs, according to quality`s strict control, despite of some of the country`s regions have been importing cement from neighbouring Namibia.

Another cement company "Tecnosecil" will get from ENCIME an exploration management`s contract for ten years, expecting to produce more than 100 000 tons of cement in two years time.

BENGUELA: ENVIRONMENT'S FRIENDS DEVELOP PROTECTION PROJECTS ( In AngolaPress )

Luanda, 01/29 - The Association of Environment`s Friends and Protectors (ADAMA), will implement during 2003 school year, a project of preservation, and sanitation of the environment, in the cities of Benguela, Lobito and Baia Farta village.

ADAMA representative in Lobito, Mr Joaquim Teixeira Tshombe, wednesday said the project, called ``Healthy School``, will reach 12 schools selected by inspectors of the education sectors in those localities.

He explained that the project`s goal is to educate students on the need to preserve the schools and protect the environment.

Benguela: Potable water ready this month at Gama

Benguela, 01/10 - Three public taps will be inaugurated this month at Gama neigbourhood in the outskirts of Angola`s central Benguela city under an integrated human development programme funded by the Italian government.

Under the programme a power conversion post was installed there plus a water pump designed for an hourly output of 12 to 40 cubic metres, Angop has learned. Also installed at Gama was a pipeline and a water reservoir with a storage capacity of 30,000 litres of water in a project which cost 43,238 US dollars. The Italian government-funded programme is being developed in the provinces of Benguela, Kwanza-Sul and Bengo, expecting to benefit some 5,500 persons in impoverished communities.

Benguela must fulfil demands to shelter miss Angola 2002 ceremony

Luanda, 10/15 - Miss Angola Committee deputy chairman, Valdo Oliveira Sunday in Luanda said that government of coastal central Benguela province must fulfil some demands for sheltering the election ceremony of Miss Angola 2002 election. Source assured that some demands already were satisfied and in case of a total fulfilment Miss Angola 2002 gala will take place at Benguela City on December 15.

Valdo Oliveira informed that provinces of Luanda, Zaire, Kwanza-sul, Malanje, Lunda-Norte, Benguela and Huila already elect its candidates for Miss Angola, whereas others are making efforts for this end. Miss Angola committee was stablished in 1997. this is an organization which every year elects a representative of angolan beauty for universe.Committee also is tasked on electing candidates from provinces, organizing Miss Angola election, as well as for the participation of national candidates to international events in order to promote country at touristic and cultural level.

Source explained that Miss Angola Committee has been sponsored by many instutions. Miss Angola first edition took place 1998 in Luanda, and Emilia Guardado from Benguela was the winner. in 1999 Egidia Torres from Cabinda was elect Miss Angola, whereas Karine Manita from Luanda won 3rd edition in 2000.
 

Benguela Girl wins Miss Angola 2002

Benguela 12/17 - Geovana Pinto Leite, from Angola`s coastal central Benguela province became the "Miss Angola/2002", after elected over the weekend here in the presence of the Angolan head of state, Jose Eduardo dos Santos. The choice was well made as she bears all potentials, Angola`s first lady told journalists recognising that the show itself was a wonder. According to the also chairperson of the Miss Angola committee, the elect-girl is worthy of Angola and will surely play a good role in Miss Universe competition.

The candidates of northern Malange and southern Namibe provinces respectively Rosa Muxito and Rosindra Manuela Graa were elected first and second maids of honour, respectively. Kwanza-Sul`s Euridice da Cunha won the Miss sympathy election by show-mates whereas Namibe`s Rosindra Graa was elected by the media as photogenic". Delfina Domingos from Kuando-Kubango, and Malange`s Rosa Muxito became the Miss Silk Skin and Miss Ebonet respectively. T Out of the 18 candidates representing the 18 provinces of Angola, the jury which was chaired by the assistant immigration services director, Mrs Joaquina da Silva, chose the representatives of Malange, Namibe, Luanda, Lunda-Norte and Cabinda as finalists.

Other members of the jury were Portuguese actor Ricardo Carrio, plastic artist Marcela Costa, anthropologist Adelino Peixoto, businesswoman Rosa Garrocho and Mr Jose Machado. The show included dance choreography by the traditional group "Bisamos das Acacias" from Benguela city, and by the "Dancarte" company from Luanda, as well as songs by Carlos Lamartine and "Impactus 4" band. Screening of touristic-cultural films on the economic potentials of Benguela, and on the activities developed by Miss Angola 2001, Hidianeth Cussema was also part of the show. Attending the show were also government officials, ambassadors, presidential aides, provincial governors and other entities.

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