Born: 30 April 1926, São Tomé and Príncipe
Died: 9 March 2010
Country most active: São Tomé and Príncipe
Also known as: Alda do Espírito Santo, Alda Graça,
Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo was a distinguished poet from São Tomé and Príncipe, contributing to the Portuguese language literary landscape. She played a significant role in the post-independence Santomean government.
Born into prominence in São Tomé e Príncipe, a former Portuguese territory, to João Graça do Espírito Santo and Maria de Jesus Agostinho das Neves, Alda pursued her education in Portugal after attending primary school. In Lisbon, she engaged with a student association, Casa dos Estudantes do Império, and co-founded the Centro de Estudos Africanos in 1951, reflecting her early commitment to nationalism.
Returning to São Tomé in 1953, Alda worked as a teacher and remained active in nationalist circles. Her dedication to the cause led to her arrest and imprisonment in 1965 by Portuguese authorities. Following independence in 1975, Alda held various key governmental positions, including Minister of Education and Culture, Minister of Information and Culture, President of the National Assembly, and General Secretary of the National Union of Writers and Artists.
Alda do Espírito Santo, recognized as a multifaceted contributor, authored the lyrics of the national anthem, Independência total,” and produced notable works like “O Jorgal das Ilhas” (1976) and “O Nosso o Solo Sagrado de Terra” (1978). Her influence extended globally through anthologies such as “The Penguin Book of Women Poets” (1987) and “Daughters of Africa” (1992).
In 2006, she contributed a preface to “Retalhes do massacre de Batepá,” a book by Manuel Teles Neto Da Costa. Alda passed away at the age of 83 in Luanda, Angola, on March 10, 2010, prompting a five-day national mourning period declared by the São Tomé and Príncipe government.