Former tourism head Pedro Mutindi goes from landmine victim to top diplomat! Angola named him its ambassador to Namibia two weeks ago. Back in 2001, Mutindi barely survived a deadly explosion near Ondjiva and rushed to Windhoek for emergency medical care. He stayed at the Roman Catholic Hospital's intensive care unit, fighting for his life with "serious injuries." President João Lourenço picked him specially to strengthen business ties between both nations.
During last week's ceremony, Mutindi promised he'd persuade Namibian business owners to invest heavily across the border. He called both countries "united by blood ties for decades" with solid neighborly relations. Mutindi aims to build more tourist facilities for the Okavango-Zambezi Project to attract visitors to southern Angola. He replaces previous ambassador Jovelina Imperial e Costa. Ex-Namibian tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta remembers Mutindi's passion for developing the massive Iona-Skeleton Coast park spanning both countries.
Born at Ombadja in southern Angola, Mutindi climbed through the MPLA party ranks before President dos Santos made him governor of Cunene province. Critics slammed him for failing to develop the border region, which caused locals to seek healthcare inside Namibia. He fiercely defended the Swapo-MPLA friendship, once threatening Namibian companies operating in Angola who dared criticize Namibia's ruling party.
During last week's ceremony, Mutindi promised he'd persuade Namibian business owners to invest heavily across the border. He called both countries "united by blood ties for decades" with solid neighborly relations. Mutindi aims to build more tourist facilities for the Okavango-Zambezi Project to attract visitors to southern Angola. He replaces previous ambassador Jovelina Imperial e Costa. Ex-Namibian tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta remembers Mutindi's passion for developing the massive Iona-Skeleton Coast park spanning both countries.
Born at Ombadja in southern Angola, Mutindi climbed through the MPLA party ranks before President dos Santos made him governor of Cunene province. Critics slammed him for failing to develop the border region, which caused locals to seek healthcare inside Namibia. He fiercely defended the Swapo-MPLA friendship, once threatening Namibian companies operating in Angola who dared criticize Namibia's ruling party.
