The Happy Angolan: A Child of War - Ross Ferguson with Custodio Victorino

Published by Ferguson Publishing: Nelson, New Zealand, 2024.

Once a month, the Nelson Ministers Fraternal meets on a Tuesday morning. I try to attend as often as I can. Last time, another minister had brought this book along with them, and was offering it around for someone to read. I jumped at the chance, especially when I realised it kinda fitted the brief for 'Black History' in my Reading Challenge this year. 

I mean, it's about the history of an African man!

Neither writer is a professional author - Ross Ferguson is actually a local dentist and retired minister - and that lack of professionalism does show at times - there are random quotation marks at times; some sentences are incomplete; the authorial voice changes from Ross to Custodio and back without warning or reason - and yet the story is an interesting one, if (sadly) similar to others you may have read.

Custodio was born in Angola, grew up during a civil war in the country, had both parents die when he was young, was forced into the army (although he refused to kill), then escaped to neighbouring Namibia as it was gaining its independence. From there he journeyed on to South Africa, Auckland, and eventually, Nelson. He now calls Nelson home, and is raising his family here.

There are moments where Custodio tells of events that would be deeply traumatising to have witnessed, and the later chapters (once he is in New Zealand) do highlight the ways in which that trauma has affected his behaviour at times. But Custodio is also (as the title suggests) a positive person, and this allows the book to not wallow in the negatives, but point the way forward for both the author, and any person reading this who may have experienced similar traumatic moments in their life.

I am glad I read this book. It has given me an understanding of a conflict I had never heard of, reminded me of the blessing it has been to grow up in New Zealand(!), highlighted the difficulties that so many people around the world face every day, and also highlighted some of the ways in which people can face such things and still move forward. It is not always well written, but it is interesting. 

Take from that what you will.

Completed 17 May 2025.



(2025 Reading Challenge - "Black History")

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