A man of Angola Nationality, Francisco Tchikuteny Sabalo who fathered 281 children from 47 wives at Mungongo Island in Angola has died and was buried on the 19th of April, 2020.
Reports have it that about a thousand mourners and sympathisers flouted Angola president João Lourenço’s directive banning large gatherings – as a measure to curtail the spread of coronavirus – to pay their last respects to Francisco Tchikuteny Sabalo.
EyewitnessMedia gathered that Pai Grande, who died at the age of 73 after battling prostate cancer for over a year, was initially taken to the country’s capital city of Luanda as well as other places for treatment, but was returned home when his condition worsened to ensure that “if God called him, at least he would die beside the children and their mothers,” one of his sons said.
A dedicated family man and respected personality in his community, Pai Grande was described as “a complete human being” who was an advocate for education. Speaking to VOA in 2015, Sabalo, who said it was his wish for some of his children to take up careers in science and technology, revealed he spent over $1,500 on school supplies annually.
Three of his daughters currently are studying medical sciences and two sons are learning computer science, all at the high school level.
During the funeral, his first wife vowed to do everything she can to keep the family together as per her husband’s wish.
“I will do anything to keep his children fed and OK,” she told VOA.
Pai Grande’s family live on subsistence farming, growing crops and rearing livestock. They also generate revenue from their sales.