The Bradt Guide to Angola – latest news

The Bradt Guide to Angola

Mike Stead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the companion website to the Bradt Guide to Angola

The Bradt Guide to Angola was published in October 2009 and is the first ever English language guidebook covering the country.  It is available from major online retailers and high street shops.

The front page of this site contains an eclectic mix of news and information about Angola for visitors and residents alike.  Information for future updates to the Bradt Guide to Angola is added  to the various sections on the right hand side of the screen.

Please feel free to send me your own contributions for inclusion on this site .

Mike Stead

October 2009

Job opportunities in Angola

Elite International Careers is a good place to start looking for job opportunities in Angola.

Angola – Visit to the Catoca diamond mine

The Angola Field  Group is planning a visit to the Catoca diamond mine in Lunda Sul province on February 27.  Catoca is considered the world’s 4th biggest diamond producer and visitors will be allowed to see the giant 250 meter deep pit which measures 1200 meters by 1500 meters. This is a rare opportunity to visit a diamond mine in Angola.

Travel Bookshop Angola event

Next talk at The Travel Bookshop -Tuesday 9^th February

Mike Stead on Angola

 

Angola is no destination for beginners. It has no Starbucks or McDonalds, and there’s only one functioning escalator in the whole country. Only seven years have passed since it emerged from three decades of armed struggle; the land is littered with 10million unexploded mines (which, interestingly, the elephants have learnt to detect and avoid) and there are few tourist facilities. But for the adventurous, this country offers over 1,000km of unspoilt beaches, excellent fishing and surfing, tropical forests and magnificent bird life. The first-ever English guidebook to the country, Bradt’s Angola is essential reading for business travellers and pioneering adventurers alike.

Mike Stead has spent 30 years travelling around the world as a diplomat and he was in Luanda as the Deputy Head of Mission and Consul at the British Embassy. He’ll be discussing the challenges of living in Angola, his travelling life and the process of writing a guide book and the joys and pitfalls of becoming a travel writer.

Talks start at 7pm (doors 6:30pm)

Tickets are £3 (includes wine)

The Travel Bookshop, 13-15 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 2EE, 0207 229 5260, post@thetravelbookshop.com

www.thetravelbookshop.com or find us on Facebook

How to visit Angola: Patience, the essential virtue

From the Economist: Though Angola wants to woo foreign investors, everything seems contrived to deter all but the most intrepid and patient. Getting a visa, for a start, can take many months. Finding somewhere to stay in Luanda, a capital city built for 500,000 that is now home to 5m, is not much easier. A single hotel room, if you can find one, will set you back $500-600 a night. A bed in a simple guesthouse costs at least half that. Even then, you are liable to be chucked out if a guest with a deeper pocket turns up. More……………..

Rising Angola:Oil, glorious oil. The country’s breakneck growth is slowly benefiting the masses

From the Economist. Two years ago, oil-rich Angola was reckoned to have one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. In both 2006 and 2007 real GDP had surged by around 20%, and double-digit growth rates were widely predicted for at least the next five years. Then oil prices crashed with the global recession. Last year the economy is estimated to have grown, at best, by 1.5%. But it is bouncing back. Some say Angola will be among the world’s top five performers again this year, with growth exceeding 8%. More……………

Angola – list of new government ministers

Herewith a list of the new Angolan government ministers (Portuguese only).

Angola: José Eduardo dos Santos procede à remodelação do Governo

Luanda – A Presidência da República angolana anunciou esta terça-feira uma remodelação do Governo marcada pela criação do cargo de Vice-Presidente da República. Mais……………….

Bradt’s Mike Stead comments on the African Cup of Nations

Mike Stead, author of Bradt’s Angola, former Deputy Head of Mission and Consul at the British Embassy in Luanda, comments on events surrounding the African Cup of Nations.

Angola’s hopes of winning serious international respect were severely blunted when the Togolese national football squad was ambushed by Cabindan terrorists just days before the African Cup of Nations football championship opened in Luanda earlier this month. Three members of the Togolese party were killed and others seriously injured in an incident that should never have happened. Just why the squad took the most dangerous overland route into Angola is not known. Various factions of FLEC (the Cabindan separatists behind the attack) have long threatened foreigners in the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda and have threatened further attacks. It would be foolhardy of any commentator to declare any country safe from terrorism, but provided visitors avoid the interior of Cabinda province, they are far more likely to come to harm in a mugging or traffic accident than be caught up in terrorist related violence.

In a show of defiance, the Cup of Nations opened on schedule and every town and village has worked itself into football frenzy with Angola’s national colours of red, black and yellow on display everywhere. If Angola wins the cup, expect the party to go on for a week. The government is using the tournament to show off the billions of dollars it has spent over the last few years on bringing the infrastructure up to scratch – new schools and hospitals, new roads, railways, hotels, upgraded airports and brand spanking new Chinese-built stadia. There’s still much to be done – you don’t heal the mental and physical wounds of nearly 30 years of armed struggle with dollars, even when they are counted in billions. Angola is opening up and becoming an easier destination for experienced businessmen and travellers alike but mass tourism is still many years away due to the difficulty of getting visas, flights and cheap hotels.

Bradt’s Angola is the only English-language guide to the country and is essential reading for all visitors and residents.

Price: £17.99
ISBN: 978 1 84162 304 7
Publication: Out Now!

Angola – new Vice President appointed

By Candido Mendes. Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) — Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos appointed Fernando Dias da Piedade dos Santos as the country’s first vice president, Radio Nacional de Angola reported, citing the government.

Piedade dos Santos, who is known as Nando, was previously the speaker of parliament, the Luanda-based broadcaster said. He will be replaced by Antonio Paulo Kassoma, who has been prime minister of the southern African nation since 2008.

The president also appointed Carlos Alberto Lopes as the country’s finance minister, replacing Eduardo Severim de Morais, RNA said. Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos remains oil minister, it said.

Angola last month approved a new constitution that scrapped the position of prime minister and replaced it with a vice president. Angola’s Constitutional Court yesterday rejected the draft constitution because of what it called irregularities.

To contact the reporter on this story: Candido Mendes in Luanda via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 3, 2010 01:21 EST

Angola seeking future for football stadia

 

By Louise Redvers  – BBC News, Luanda, Angola

 

With the football over and the last players and journalists making their long and expensive journeys home, Cup of Nations host Angola is now faced with a new challenge – how to avoid the Athens-effect. Built by Chinese construction companies at a cost of $600m (£380m) the four super-modern facilities, which seat between 20,000 and 50,000 people are now empty. More………….

Angola rebranded: Oil, landmines… and football?

By Louise Redvers BBC News, Luanda

The Cup of African Nations ended with a dazzling fireworks display, but for many the overriding memories of Angola’s tournament will be the deadly attack against the Togolese team, the high costs and the traffic jams.

While Angolans are claiming a symbolic victory for hosting the biennial football tournament, their enthusiasm has not been shared by some visiting journalists and teams.More………………

Forthcoming trips with Eco Tur

5,6,7 Feb – 3 day Kalandula and Pedras Negras

6,7,8 March 3 days Kwanza Sul

Early April Lubango / Namibe trip (5 or 6 day)

For full details please send email to info@eco-tur.com or ring 912501387 / 923 602420 / 923 601601. Brochure at www.eco-tur.com.

Angola Oil and Gas Report Q1 2010

The latest Angola Oil & Gas Report from BMI forecasts that the country will account for 4.34% of African regional oil demand by 2014, while providing 19.17% of supply. More………..

Angola: Business, Economic & Trade Resources

See this useful list of website links to help you do business in Angola

CAF decision over Togo makes no sense

By Piers Edwards.  Not since Buckingham Palace took so long to respond Princess Diana’s death in 1997 has an organisation so badly misjudged the mood of the public.

For the decision by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to expel Togo from the next two Africa Cup of Nations – following their Angola 2010 withdrawal after their team bus was machine-gunned (with two team officials dying) – is simply jaw-dropping. More………………..

Musing on Angolan politics

By Paul Myers. I haven’t really delved into the politics of Angola in this blog, but since I’m leaving in 46 hours 28 minutes – and you can sense I’m in no rush to leave – I feel this is the time to broach the subject of civil war and a nascent multi-party state. More…………..

India steps up scramble with China for African energy

By Louise Redvers (AFP). LUANDA — India has stepped up its efforts to gain an economic foothold in Africa in a new scramble with China for the continent’s resources, signing energy deals with top oil producers Angola and Nigeria. More………….

Celebrate Luanda’s birthday on Sunday 31 January

Luanda is one of the oldest cities on the continent of Africa and is celebrating its 434th birthday on Saturday afternoon, January 30th. The Angola Field Group has been invited to attend the Celebration of the City of Luanda Day  being held downtown at Largo do Baleizão, the square in front of Hotel Continental, beginning at 2:00 and running to 8:00 PM.

Festivities include live music, a photo exhibition, capoeira demonstration, food stalls, carnival dancing, and a bus tour in English of the historic city for field group participants, 500 kwanzas. The tour will begin at approximately 3:00, (time subject to change). You must register in advance at the registration booth (located in small tent)  but space is limited so first come first served. You can also book in advance by emailing neaud.geral@gmail.com. Walking tours and bus tours in Portuguese of the historic city are also available. All tours will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides.

The festival hopes to raise awareness of the need to preserve Luanda’s cultural heritage and is part of the movement Campanha Reviver, por uma Cidade com Alma, (Revitalize Luanda, keep the Soul in our City),  organized by KALU, the Association of Native Luandans, Residents and  Friends as well as NEAAUD, the Centre for the Study of Art, Architecture, Urbanism and Design at Lusídas University. This will be a fun festival lasting till 8:00 in the evening so drop by at any time! Festival T-shirts for sale.

Outrageous : Togo banned from 2 African cups and fined $50K

You couldn’t make this up!

The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football met on 30 January 2010 and examined the withdrawal of Togo national team from the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2010.

 

The Executive Committee and its president renewed their sincere condolences to the families of victims involved in this tragic terrorist attack which happened January 8, 2010. The attack was condemned by CAF and also a total support was given to the Togolese team.

 

At that time, CAF said they have understood perfectly the decision of players not to participate in the competition.

 Meanwhile, following a decision taken by players to participate in the competition, the Togolese government decided to call back their national team.

 

The decision taken by the political authorities is infringing CAF and CAN regulations. Therefore, a decision has been taken to suspend the Togo national team for the next two editions of Africa Cup of Nations, with a fine of $50,000.00  handed to the Togolese national football association, in conformity with article 78 of Africa Cup of Nations Angola 2010.

Lar Kuzola, a refuge for Luanda’s street children

By Nick Reeves (AFP). LUANDA — Outside Luanda’s Lar Kuzola orphanage a discarded football boot lies in the dust, steam rises from a festering rubbish tip, a dog scavenges for food, a security guard takes refuge from the searing midday sun. Rua Joao Paulo II is an unexpected place to find a haven for Luanda’s street children, the mentally ill, the physically handicapped, and those who have been brought here by police after turning to minor crime to survive. More…………