Angolans in SA want to go home

With assurances from UNITA that hostilities between itself and the Angolan government would not resume, Angolans living in South Africa want to return home.

The Angolan embassy in South Africa told IRIN on Wednesday that it had visited several Angolan communities in the country to "make contact with fellow Angolans and raise awareness about the peace agreement".

Following the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in February, the former rebel movement signed a peace agreement with the government to end almost three decades of civil war on 4 April.

"Many of the people we spoke to during our visit said they would seriously consider returning to Angola now that there was a sign of lasting peace. Many want to go back to help rebuild their country," charge'd affairs Antonia Rafael said.

Rafael added that the embassy did not know how many Angolans were living in South Africa or how many wished to return.

"Until we have an accurate picture of the numbers, we cannot formulate any kind of plan. We are still looking into it," Rafael said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday UNITA's two factions, the Managerial Commission lead by Paulo "Gato" Lukambo and UNITA Renovada, led by Eugenio Manuvakola decided to reunite, French news agency, AFP reported.

Last week, Manuvakola resigned from the presidency of UNITA-Renovada in an apparent gesture towards unity. Manuvakola has agreed to enter the reunified leadership of UNITA.