Ursula Tillmann

I Still Dream of Angola Ursula Tillmann

"I still dream of Angola" is a true story, as told by Maria and her mother. In 1963 Maria, her mother, and three brothers were shipped by the Portuguese government to Angola to settle the farmland in the Huambo plateau, the bread-basket of Angola. But in the mid-seventies, when Portugal lost its colonies and civil war broke out, the family had to flee with other settlers and tribal members out of the country. They trekked to South West Africa (Namibia). Maria, her mother, and three brothers endured incredible hardship during their time in Africa. Their father was a dandy and womanizer, terrifying the family. Maria and her mother fled by car-convoy with thousands of Portuguese to safety. Their trip took eight weeks to the southern border. Hunger, sickness, and fear was their constant companion. Nearly one million Portuguese ex-pats fled Portugal's African colonies. It was the greatest exodus the dark continent ever witnessed.