José de Fontes Pereira

Considered an early Angolan nationalist and assimilado, Pereira took advantage of a relatively free press in Angola from 1870-1890 to question Portuguese obligations and control over Angola. He addressed topics such as the export of black Angolans to São Tomé and Príncipean plantations, coerced labor within the colony, inefficiency, corruption and racial discrimination, amongst many others.

Writing for the literate Portuguese settler population of Angola, Pereira wrote mostly in the Portuguese language. Pereira lost his job and was put on trial when, in 1890, he suggested that the British should take over colonial administration of the colony due to Portuguese incompetence. He died 16 months later in May 1891 of natural causes.

• The Story of Africa: Europe and Africa 1800-1914 bbc.co.uk

• "Angola Is Whose House?" Early Stirrings of Angolan Nationalism and Protest, 1822-1910 by Douglas L. Wheeler, Journal of African Historical Studies, 1969