Ruy Mingas

Ruy Alberto Vieira Dias Rodrigues Mingas (12 May 1939 – 4 January 2024) was an Angolan singer, songwriter, diplomat, businessman and politician. He was a deputy in the National Assembly, secretary with the status of Minister of Sports and ambassador of Angola to Portugal. He composed the music for Angola Avante, the national anthem of Angola.

Of his recording work, his most well known songs are "Poema da farra", "Makesu", "Muadiakimi", "Birin Birin", "Monagambé", "Adeus À Hora da Partida"

Life Mingas was born in the Ingombota area of Luanda, the son of André Rodrigues Mingas Júnior and Antónia Diniz de Aniceto Vieira Dias. Some of Ruy Mingas' siblings were also notable figures in Angolan history, namely the singer and composer André Rodrigues Mingas Júnior,

Mingas was an athlete in the 1950s and 1960s, having competed in the high jump and 110 m hurdles, at Sport Lisboa e Benfica, being the record holder in the high jump in July 1960.

Mingas was married to Julieta Cristina da Silva Branco Lima, and with her had 6 children: Katila Mingas, a singer; Ângela Cristina Branco Lima Rodrigues Mingas, an architect; Nayma Mingas, a model; Carlos Filipe Branco Lima Rodrigues Mingas, an event producer; and a set of twins.

Career Pre-independence period Mingas participated in one of the episodes of Zip-Zip in 1969, In the Carnation Revolution, in April 1974, he was the main name of the diplomatic corps of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in Portugal, He is especially notable for being the composer of the song Angola Avante, the national anthem of Angola, from lyrics by Manuel Rui. Mingas took over its leadership and was minister for 10 years, a period of vigorous development in sport in Angola. He organized the entire process of Angola's entry into the International Olympic Committee and the consequent participation, for the first time, in an Olympic Games (1980 Summer Olympics). Another extraordinary achievement of his period as secretary-minister (also holding the presidency of Zone 4 of the African Sports Council) was the holding of the II Central African Games in Angola, opening on 20 August 1981, at Estádio da Cidadela, where more than 1,500 people, including athletes and referees from 12 countries, participated in the cities of Luanda, Huambo and Lubango in football, handball, basketball, athletics, boxing, cycling, volleyball and judo. Since then, he was the main shareholder of the aforementioned university's Cabinda campus. He became a university lecturer on the bachelor's degree in sport and rector of the Lusíada University. and the music label Xi Amyé Mingas in partnership with the record label GMPAO.

In the 2010s, Mingas was appointed by the Angolan government to chair the School Sports Revitalization Commission. He was elected deputy of the National Circle of the National Assembly on the MPLA list in the 2017 Angolan general election, remaining in office until 2021, when he requested leave due to his health condition.

Awards and decorations On 26 July 1995, while ambassador in Lisbon, Mingas was awarded the degree of Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry, of Portugal.

2014 - SPA "Prémio Autor Internacional"

Discography

Albums

Singles & EPs

Compilations TitleLabelCatalog numberYearMemóriaMaiangaCD20117582011