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The Mergulhão couple

The couple (Humberto Mergulhão and Natália Bispo) met in Porto, but found success in Angola. His professional career, despite starting in Lisbon, took root in Porto, at the same time in radio, working for the National Propaganda Secretariat-National Information Secretariat and as a journalist for O Século newspaper. Then, in the early 1950s, Humberto Mergulhão and Natália Bispo, after working for Emissora Nacional (Porto), moved to Rádio Clube de Benguela, where he became head of production, as well as a reporter, football and roller hockey commentator and the author of plays.


In Angola, Humberto Mergulhão is credited with suggesting the formation of the official radio station because he didn't like commercial radio and the advertising that the radio clubs lived off. He and Natália Bispo had offered themselves to Rádio Clube de Benguela, abandoning their career as civil servants, but wanted to return to the State to guarantee their retirement as State employees. Humberto Mergulhão was also head of the broadcasting services of CITA (Angolan Information and Tourism Centre), until Emissora Oficial de Angola became autonomous, and he worked for the General Overseas Agency. He left in 1964 due to illness and died five years later.


Natália Bispo, after starting her career in radio in Porto, headed for Africa. As there was no vacancy in Angola, she accepted an invitation to work for Rádio Clube de Moçambique. While she was in Lourenço Marques, the station's building was being constructed, with the campaign "a brick for Radio Clube". A caravan of artists, singers, announcers and technicians was set up to raise funds by travelling throughout the colony. In a radio show where Sara Chaves, a young Angolan and creator of Casa Portuguesa performed, Natália Bispo was the presenter and recited poetry. She stayed there for several months until a vacancy arose at Rádio Clube de Benguela, where she became an announcer, programme producer and secretary. Natália Bispo worked for Radio Clube de Angola, before moving on to Emissora Oficial de Angola. One of her programmes was Hora do Soldado, which revolved around soldiers' letters. She also wrote lyrics for songs. She stayed in Angola for fourteen years, returning to Emissora Nacional (Lisbon) after her husband's illness and death.

Author: Rogério Santos, 2022 #casalmergulhão #biografia #C


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