Honoring a Legacy: Celebrating Aquino de Bragança on His 100th Birthday
As Goa commemorates the birth centenary of Tomaz Aquino Messias de Bragança (1924-1986), one may reflect on the profound impact he had on the region’s cultural and political landscape. A staunch advocate who played an important role in decolonization of Mozambique from Portugal, Bragança dedicated his life to championing the rights and aspirations of his fellow companions. His contributions as a physicist, journalist, diplomat and leader continue to inspire generations, reminding them of the importance of heritage and resilience. This centenary celebration not only honors his remarkable legacy but also reignites conversations about the ongoing relevance of his vision for a united and vibrant Goa.
Silvia, an accomplished artist, painter, and poet, was born on October 4, 1937, and had resided in Goa, Portugal, and Mozambique. In 1983, she encountered Aquino de Bragança, a prominent figure during the early years of Mozambique's independence. Born in Salvador do Mundo, Goa, in 1924, Aquino emerged as a significant diplomat, educator, and journalist in Mozambique. Although their marriage was brief, lasting just over a year before Aquino's untimely passing, Silvia spoke of him with enduring affection and commitment. Aquino tragically lost his life in an airplane crash on October 19, 1986, in Mbuzini, South Africa, an incident that also resulted in the death of Samora Machel, the inaugural president of post-liberation Mozambique.
Aquino's legacy is honored annually by Graça Machel, the widow of both Samora Machel and Nelson Mandela, the first president of South Africa. He was a pivotal figure in the liberation movements across Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and numerous other African nations, including Morocco, Algeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. As Samora Machel's special envoy to Lisbon, Aquino was instrumental in the negotiations that led to Mozambique's independence. This lesser-known aspect of history is examined in the documentary film ‘Special Envoy,’ directed by Nalini Elvino de Souza, which focuses on Aquino de Bragança.
After Mozambique achieved independence, Aquino contributed to the establishment of the Centro de Estudos Africanos (CEA) at Eduardo Mondlane University, which remains active today. On the occasion of the centenary of Aquino's birth, his family invited Colin Darch from South Africa, a close friend of Aquino, to speak about Aquino's contributions to the CEA and his vision for social studies.
A book titled ‘Songs in the Sun,’ which comprises a collection of 21 poems by Silvia Bragança, was released by Professor Harilal B Menon, the Vice-Chancellor of Goa University. This collection has been translated into five languages: English, French, Hindi, Konkani, and Marathi. The translations of the original Portuguese poems were carried out by key individuals, namely Irene Silveira Almeida and Elisabeth Defrain for French, Loraine Barreto Alberto for English, Aditya Sinai Bhangui for Hindi, Naresh Naik for Konkani, and Purva Pandit Vasta for Marathi. Consequently, the poem collection is now accessible in all six languages offered at the Shenoy Goembab School of Languages and Literature.
Additionally, an engaging panel discussion on the life and works of Aquino took place, featuring Dr. Darch, Miguel Bragança, and documentary director Nalini Elvino de Sousa, with moderation by Dr. Dattesh D Parulekar, an assistant professor at the School of International and Area Studies, Goa University. The event concluded with the screening of Nalini’s expertly crafted film, ‘Special Envoy.’