Angola Field Group

“The year of 2011 ended in the most tragic fashion, when unexpectedly our dear friend Kalunga Lima, passed away. He was a remarkable filmmaker and photographer who had just about finalized his documentary on the giant sable project. We had made several trips together in the bush, both in Cangandala and Luando, and I feel privileged to have shared those moments with Kalunga. If I lost a great and true friend, the giant sable lost one of its most enthusiastic and relevant supporters. And the country lost simply the best professional in his field, one that cannot be replaced in the foreseeable future.”
- Pedro Vaz Pinto, Environmental Advisor for the Catholic University Centre for Scientific Studies and Research, Founder Palanca Negra Gigante Conservation Project

“This is very very sad. I join all of you in mourning Kalunga’s passing-on. This is a great loss for his family, country, friends, and the scientific community. He was such a role model to many. I wish his family all the strength during this difficult time.”
- Dr. Fredrick Manthi, National Museum of Kenya

Photos of Kalunga Lima by Pedro Vaz Pinto.

“Angola has lost a vibrant voice for its place in science and nature.  He (Kalunga) was looking forward to working with National Geographic on a major documentary about Angola. His gusto for life and his desire to help Angolans understand their rich endowment were defining qualities that I will always remember.  His passion for Angola’s heritage was evident when he gave us a terrific tour of two major geological and paleontological sites in the Namibe.  I have no doubt that he touched the lives of many young Angolans, some of whom will carry on his work.  That is a great legacy.”
-Ambassador Christopher J McMullen, American Ambassador to Angola

“…our friend and colleague in Angola passed away yesterday, December 19, 2011, of a heart attack. This is a tragic blow to his family, his friends, and his country. Kalunga’s video on “Saving the Giant Sable Antelope” and all the effort that has gone into preserving Angola’s national symbol are profoundly important for his country.  This morning I watched once more Kalunga’s short video made with Projecto PaleoAngola and I was grateful for knowing him and proud to be his friend.  He will be honored through our doing our best work to continue the endeavors of which he was such an integral part. He will be missed.  If you wish to view the PaleoAngola video, please go to ProjectoPaleoAngola.org and click on the YouTube link.”
-Dr. Louis L. Jacobs, Paleontologist Projecto Paleoangola and Professor at Southern Methodist University

“What a tragic loss.  I was looking forward to where he (Kalunga) would go with all of us and Angola. Please pass along my sympathies to his family and let them know how much we valued knowing him over a too short time.”
-Dr. John Francis, Vice President Research, Conservation, and Exploration National Geographic Society

“My heart is heavy for all the people in Angola and around the world who Kalunga touched through his talents and dedication and passion to preserve Angola’s biodiversity and future. He was a generous, kind, gregarious friend – one felt close to him almost instantly… I am so heartbroken for his family, especially his two young children and wife. I know his friends and country will miss him so greatly. What a terrible tragedy to lose him so abruptly.”
-Dr. Catherine Workman, Committee for Research and Exploration, National Geographic Society

“I am so sorry to hear this news. In the little time I spent with him he struck me as a person utterly committed to Angola. I thought his productions were quite good and was looking forward to working with him. My heart goes out to his family and other colleagues.”
- John Bredar, Senior Executive Producer, National Geographic SPECIALS

It is with great sadness that we mark the too-soon passing away of Angola’s only science documentary filmmaker, Kalunga Lima, who died December 19, 2011, in Lubango, of a heart attack. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Kalunga’s wife, Nela (Maria Manuela) and his three children, Carlos 16, Rafael 9, and Luena 7.

Kalunga aired his first feature length documentary Saving the Giant Sable Antelope on May 13, 2010 to members of the Angola Field Group. His next project was inspired by a presentation he attended of the Angola Field Group at the Viking Club in July of 2009, Uncovering the Hidden Remains of Angola’s Ancient Giants. He was deeply impressed by Dr. Jacobs and the Paleoangola team’s work with discovering dinosaur fossils along the coast of Angola and he wanted to spread the news of these hidden treasures to the rest of Angola. Kalunga was the force behind bringing to Angola the replica of the Angolatitan presently on display at the Geology Museum and became involved in other aspects of the Paleoangola project. He was working on a documentary about the coastal waters of Angola for Expo 2012 in Korea up till his untimely death. He wanted to make Angola a better place by bringing an awareness of nature and wildlfe to Angolans by combining scientific research with documentary film making.

We will all miss Kalunga and we hope the vision he had will be taken up and carried forward by others.

Kalunga, second from left, after putting up the Angolatitan when it first arrived in Angola.