History of Santa Comba (Waku-Kungo) in Angola: A Journey of Resilience, Development, and Hope

Santa Comba, now called Waku-Kungo, located in the heart of the Cela municipality in Cuanza Sul Province, Angola, is a place filled with stories of courage, hard work, and resilience. Since the late 1940s, the Portuguese families who arrived here transformed this once wild and inhospitable land into a thriving agricultural and industrial community. This is a land where the spirit of community manifested itself in a unique way, and where the contributions of its inhabitants left a profound impact.

The First Portuguese Families: A Dream of New Beginnings

In 1949, several Portuguese families began arriving in the Santa Comba region, drawn by the promise of a new beginning. Among them was the family of my grandfather, João da Rocha Machado Salvador, who sought a better life and new opportunities for his children. Armed only with their hands, hopes, and values, these families landed in a place of immense natural beauty, yet full of great challenges.

At the time, Santa Comba's landscape was covered by dense forests and vast savannas, with only a few local villages and small areas cultivated with maize and other subsistence crops. The region lacked modern infrastructure: there were no paved roads, no electricity, and no basic services. These families began their new lives by building small homes made of mud and thatched roofs, using simple yet effective techniques that allowed them to adapt to the climate and local conditions.

However, the dream of a better future drove these families to overcome their difficulties. Together, the Portuguese settlers formed a tight-knit community, working in unison to ensure their livelihoods and lay the foundation of a new society. Our store, located in the center of Santa Comba, quickly became a gathering point and a source of provisions for many of these families, serving as a crucial link in the region’s development.

Community Development: Infrastructure and Agriculture

As the families settled, they soon realized they needed to build a solid infrastructure to support the region’s growth. The first major step came in 1952 with the establishment of a local ceramics factory, which enabled the production of bricks and, consequently, the construction of more permanent and secure homes. Santa Comba’s streets began to take shape, and the small settlement expanded into the Santo António neighborhood, a symbol of progress and the desire to build a better future.

This development would not have been possible without the collective effort of the Portuguese families. My father, João de Deus Chaves, played a crucial role in transforming Santa Comba’s natural landscapes into productive agricultural lands. Operating bulldozers and excavators, he actively participated in clearing the land and preparing the soil, allowing the first cattle farms and plantations to emerge. My uncle João, a professional tractor operator, helped prepare the fertile lands that boosted agricultural production.

Moreover, interactions with the local communities were essential to this success. The exchange of knowledge about farming and livestock techniques brought innovation, enabling Santa Comba to become an important agricultural hub, especially in dairy production. Although not explicitly mentioned, the concept of the Colonato can be seen as a form of productive and sustainable organization, attracting even more families to the region.

The Empresa de Laticínios de Angola (ELA) and the Consolidation of Dairy Farming

The Empresa de Laticínios de Angola (ELA) played a pivotal role in the economic and social development of Santa Comba and its surroundings, marking the consolidation of dairy farming in the region. Founded in the early 1950s, ELA significantly boosted the production of milk and dairy products, not only for local consumption but also for export, becoming one of the main suppliers of pasteurized milk, cheese, and butter. These products reached various provinces in Angola and even international markets. The factory became the heart of the local economy, creating jobs and transforming Santa Comba into a dynamic production hub, widely recognized for its quality standards.

My father worked for ELA for four years, dedicating himself to collecting milk from local farms. Every day, he traveled long distances across the vast lands surrounding Santa Comba, using his truck to transport large volumes of fresh milk to the factory. Much of this milk, after being pasteurized, was destined for export, contributing to Angola’s growing reputation as a producer of high-quality dairy products. Additionally, ELA became renowned for its production of fine cheeses and butter, which were highly sought after both domestically and abroad.

My father’s dedication, along with that of other ELA workers, went beyond the logistics of transportation: he also promoted good agricultural practices, encouraging farmers to adopt modern techniques in cattle farming and to improve the quality of the milk. This collaboration resulted in an increasingly efficient production chain, capable of meeting both local and international demand.

Socially, ELA played an important role in community cohesion. Families involved in dairy farming became part of a cycle of progress that benefited everyone. In addition to the pasteurized milk that supplied schools, hospitals, and markets, the cheeses and butter produced in Santa Comba were also prominent in exports, carrying the region’s name beyond Angola’s borders. The success of these exports brought greater recognition and spurred the development of farms, raising production and quality standards.

ELA's impact on local infrastructure was also significant. The regular transport of large volumes of milk and the need to export products to various markets led to substantial improvements in roads, facilitating truck traffic and connecting Santa Comba to other regions and export ports. This network of trade and collaboration with local milk producers transformed the region into a model of rural progress in Angola.

With its ability to produce and export high-quality pasteurized milk, cheese, and butter, ELA was not just a successful company, but a driving force behind the region’s economic and social development. It established Santa Comba as a center of excellence in the dairy sector and significantly contributed to the growth of dairy farming in Angola.

Life in Community: A Spirit of Solidarity

In the 1950s and 1960s, Santa Comba was a vibrant, close-knit community where a spirit of solidarity and cooperation prevailed. Daily life was marked by a strong bond between Portuguese families and the local population, with cultural exchanges that enriched both sides. My mother, a skilled seamstress, made clothes for families in the community, blending African and European patterns in her creations. These clothes were often displayed at local festivals, such as the Holy Spirit Festival, an event that brought the community together in celebration.

Local schools reflected the joint effort to ensure children had access to education. Even in a developing environment, families fought to create opportunities for their children, recognizing knowledge as the key to a better future. My education, along with that of my siblings, was shaped by this spirit of progress and ambition.

The Impact of Civil War: An Exodus of Interrupted Dreams

The tragic civil war that followed Angola’s independence in 1975 left deep scars on Santa Comba and the entire country. For nearly three decades, Angola was ravaged by conflicts between various political and military groups, resulting in destruction, exodus, and loss of life. For many inhabitants of Santa Comba, the dream of a prosperous future was shattered by violence and chaos.

Many families, including mine, were forced to leave their homes and farms, abandoning everything they had built over decades. Our store, which had been the commercial heart of the community, was left behind, along with the bonds that had united the people. Infrastructure was destroyed, and economic activities were halted. The exodus that followed the civil war represented a tremendous loss for the region, both materially and in human terms. Santa Comba, once a prosperous and united community, was dismantled.

The Rebirth of Santa Comba as Waku-Kungo: A New Hope

With the end of the civil war in 2002, the process of rebuilding Angola began. Santa Comba, now known as Waku-Kungo, was part of this national effort. The new name reflects a recognition of local culture and identity, symbolizing a new chapter in the region’s history. Some of the families who had fled during the war began returning, bringing with them not only memories of the past but also a renewed desire to rebuild their lives.

The reconstruction of Waku-Kungo involved major efforts to restore infrastructure and revitalize the local economy. New investments were made to rebuild roads, schools, and hospitals that had been destroyed by the war. Although our store was lost to time, it remains a memory of a prosperous period that serves as inspiration for the future.

While progress is evident, many challenges remain. The need for reconciliation among the different communities living in Waku-Kungo is one of the main obstacles. However, the spirit of resilience that marked the early history of Santa Comba is still alive, driving its inhabitants to build a better future.

The Legacy of Santa Comba: Resilience, Hard Work, and Community

The history of Santa Comba is a testament to the human capacity to overcome adversity and build something remarkable, even in the face of great challenges. The Portuguese families who arrived in the region in the 1940s, like mine, left a lasting legacy of progress, economic development, and solidarity. My family, through the store, agriculture, and work for ELA, played an important role in building this community, which remains alive in the memories of all who lived through this period.

Santa Comba, now Waku-Kungo, is more than just a place on the map of Angola. It is a symbol of perseverance, of how determination and unity can transform a wild land into a home. The shared memories of the families who lived and worked in Santa Comba are a living legacy that should be preserved, both to honor the past and to inspire future generations to value hard work, collaboration, and mutual respect.