The Unforgettable Team: Memories of a Society in Harmony

When I look at this photo, I am instantly transported back to 1975, a time when our lives, although on the verge of permanent change, reflected the harmony and togetherness that I still cherish today. At the Escola Industrial e Comercial Narciso do Espírito Santo, or simply EICNES, we lived a reality that few outside our small community could truly understand. There, we were a multiracial family, united not only by sports but by bonds of friendship and respect that transcended color, class, or origin. It was a microcosm of what I always imagined Angola could be: a place where all ethnicities and cultures coexisted in harmony.

Coming from rural Angola, from Santa Comba, in the municipality of Cela, I carried with me the experience of a childhood spent between working at my family's store and forging deep friendships that became the foundation of who I am. The rich diversity and unity between all the students at EICNES helped to solidify the values that I hold dear to this day. There were no divisions in our school; we were simply young people, full of dreams, dedicated to learning and building a better future for everyone.

EICNES: More Than Just a Technical School

EICNES was far more than just a technical school. It was a place for personal and professional growth, but also a refuge, a space of freedom where we learned how to prepare for life in all its dimensions. Each workshop, each theoretical lesson, was a building block in shaping our futures, teaching us not only how to work with our hands but how to think, plan, and, most importantly, how to live in a community.

We, young people from Santa Comba, Nova Lisboa (now Huambo), and other parts of Angola, found in the school a second home. Alongside friends, we absorbed not just technical knowledge but also the value of camaraderie, mutual respect, and empathy. In a country about to face monumental changes, EICNES was a place of stability, a safe harbor where we could be ourselves while dreaming of who we might become.

The Spirit of Teamwork

This harmonious coexistence found its greatest expression in sports. Basketball, in particular, represented the perfect symbol of unity and teamwork. In the photo I have before me, I see faces as familiar as those of my own family. Standing, from left to right, are António Coimbra, Zé Bravo, Mário, and my cousin, Arlindo Silva. Sitting, from left to right, are Rui Grilo, Albano Ferreira, and Orlando Carneiro Muton.

Albano and Zé Bravo were more than friends to me; they were like brothers. Together, we grew up, sharing not only the basketball court but also the joys and challenges of life. It was with them that I learned lessons of loyalty, perseverance, and resilience. Even though life took us in different directions, I have never stopped feeling their presence within me, as if they are an inseparable part of my own history.

The Game Against the Maristas of Luanda: A Memorable Encounter

I remember as if it were yesterday the days of practice on the EICNES court. The sound of the ball bouncing on the ground, the squeak of sneakers on the court, the laughter that echoed among us as we prepared for another challenge. The adrenaline before every game was intense, but it wasn’t winning that drove us. What truly mattered was the feeling of being there, together, fighting side by side for something bigger than ourselves.

One of the most memorable moments was the game against the Maristas of Luanda, a team that, at the time, was known and respected throughout the country. We were not the favorites; we knew that. The Maristas were champions, a prestigious team from an elite boarding school, trained for excellence. We, the modest team from EICNES, were seen as the underdogs, but we didn’t care. What moved us was the spirit of teamwork, the strength of our unity, and the desire to test ourselves against the best.

Our director, Dr. Hilário Borges, a former priest now married to the graceful Dona Maria do Carmo Borges, organized the match. He always believed in us, even when the odds were against us. He was a man of vision, someone who saw in sports not just physical activity but a way to teach us life lessons.

When the game started, it became clear that the Maristas were on a different level. They played with a precision that only years of intense training could provide. We, on the other hand, played with heart, with the grit that comes from those who know they have little to lose and everything to gain. Each point we scored was a small victory. I looked at the faces of my teammates – Albano, Bravo, António, Arlindo – and saw determination and joy. It was this joy of being together that fueled us.

The Unforgettable Basket: A Symbol of Hope

With the game already decided and the clock ticking down the final seconds, something unexpected happened. António Coimbra, always calm and confident, grabbed the ball at mid-court. Without thinking much, he launched it with force, almost as a farewell gesture. To our surprise, the ball described a perfect arc and dropped straight into the basket. The court exploded with laughter and applause. In that moment, the game’s outcome ceased to matter. What mattered was the sense of accomplishment, of having played with heart, of having shared a moment we would never forget.

Even the Maristas players smiled and acknowledged the feat. That unexpected shot became a symbol of the spirit that united us: the courage to try, the joy of being together, and the certainty that, in the end, what truly matters is not the score, but the moments we share along the way.

A Lesson in Friendship and Respect

After the final whistle, there was mutual respect between the teams. The Maristas, even as champions, recognized our effort and dedication. And we, in turn, learned much from them – not just about basketball, but about the dignity of competition, the respect for opponents, and the importance of never giving up, no matter the circumstances.

That game was much more than a simple friendly match. It was a life lesson, an experience that showed us that, even when the odds are not in our favor, we can find joy, growth, and fulfillment in every small moment.

A Reflection on the Future

There, on the EICNES court in 1975, we were all one. There were no distinctions between us – white, black, mixed-race – we all played under the same rules, shared the same dreams, and fought for the same goals. The spirit of teamwork, of coexistence between ethnicities and cultures, was something we breathed every day at our school.

This experience, and so many others I lived through during those years, shaped my worldview. They helped forge my character, my understanding of the importance of diversity and unity. To this day, I carry with me the lessons I learned there – about friendship, respect, and the transformative power of sports.

When I look at this photo, I don’t just see young people in basketball uniforms. I see a moment in time that symbolizes everything I believe in: the strength of peaceful coexistence, the power of unity in the pursuit of something greater, and the hope that, together, we can overcome any challenge.