As part of the birth centenary of Tomaz Aquino Messias de Bragança (1924-1986), it is an opportune moment to consider the significant influence he exerted on the cultural and political fabric of the region. A fervent supporter of the decolonization movement in Mozambique, Bragança devoted his life to advocating for the rights and dreams of his compatriots. His roles as a physicist, journalist, diplomat, and leader have left an enduring legacy that continues to motivate future generations, emphasizing the value of cultural heritage and resilience. This centenary celebration not only pays tribute to his extraordinary contributions but also rekindles discussions regarding the ongoing significance
of his vision for a cohesive and
dynamic 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 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. “I did the film passionately in a way I never worked again. Aquino’s lessons are lessons that will stay with me for life,” says Nalini.
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.
Miguel de Bragança, a paternal cousin of Aquino de Bragança said, “Aquino may have been a diplomat, an educator, a journalist and more to the outside world, but most importantly he was an amazing family member, he made it a point to spend quality time with his family,” further stating that, “he was an amazing husband and a wonderful father as well.”
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 along with the emotion with which they had been originally composed by Silvia: English, French, Hindi, Konkani, and Marathi. “Songs in the Sun’ is indeed a labor of love and collaboration, a living tapestry of languages and cultures, stitched together over 24 months with over 500 hours involving translation, reading, rereading and revisions,” said Irene Silveira Almeida, the person behind the idea of this multi-lingual project.
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 de 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.’