The talent and determination of eight young leaders of high-impact projects in areas such as science, culture, and sports were celebrated last Saturday during the exciting gala of the Tigra Nova Garra Awards in Luanda. In its fifth edition, the event reaffirmed Tigra and Refriango's commitment to highlighting youth as a crucial force for Angola's sustainable development.
Luanda, June 9, 2025 – Saturday night was festive for the nine young winners at the grand gala of the Tigra Nova Garra Awards (PTNG) 2025. In an emotional atmosphere, this initiative by Refriango's beer brand marked its fifth anniversary by celebrating and recognizing another year of talent, strength, and creativity among Angolan youth.
The gala began with the Environmental category award, won by Irocy Cruz, a Forest Resources Technician passionate about nature and environmental preservation.
In Health, Sweine Coelho was awarded. A General Medicine graduate, she is the Clinical Director of two health facilities in Luanda and founder of the social project "Let's Talk About Health" through podcasts.
In Education, the award went to Florence Kapita, a writer and creator of the community literacy project "Elavoko," reflecting her commitment to social transformation and community empowerment.
Isabel Santiago stood out in Science & Technology & Digital World. She is the creative mind behind RiseUp Azul, an innovative project using technology to overcome diagnostic barriers and foster inclusion for people with autism in Angola.
Ruben de Carvalho took first place in Sports. Ruben, an Angolan jiu-jitsu athlete, started training at age 10 and now, at 19, holds a purple belt. Among his achievements are a world title, an ADCC championship, and nine AJP titles.
Singer Eluide Prata won the Music category. A Luanda-based singer-songwriter, she blends Semba, Kizomba, Pop, R&B, and Soul genres in her music. She participated in "A Voz da Kianda" (2016) and the "Festival da Canção de Luanda" (2023).
Lastly, Visual Artist, Filmmaker, and Writer Nark Luenzi saw her work recognized in the Arts category. She holds a degree in Film and Television Production from the University of Zambia.
Each category winner received 1 million kwanzas, voice and data credit from Unitel, discounts on Optical Center products and services, and participation in the 5th edition of the Tigra Cubs bootcamp, a two-day multidisciplinary immersion where young people will receive mentorship and participate in practical workshops. The bootcamp will take place on July 5-6.
Exceptionally this year, the PTNG jury awarded two "Eu Sou Fera" (I Am a Star) prizes to Joana Raquel, a Psychology student passionate about education and social causes, mentor of the Maio Laranja Project, and Marcelo Tomé, an accountant and co-founder of Dioneia, an accounting firm aiming to innovate the Angolan market with simple, accessible solutions. Valued at 500 thousand kwanzas each, these awards recognize nominees with particularly notable profiles and achievements who did not win their respective categories.
The PTNG 2025 jurors were: Ludmila Rangel (Health), Iliandra Baptista (Environment), Mehak Vieira (Arts), Walter Lobão (Sports), Mauro Sérgio (Science & Technology & Digital World), Tri Chu (Hélio Santos) (Music), and Kâmia Madeira (Education).
Tânia Jardim, Marketing Director at Refriango, emphasized "the importance of moments like PTNG, where we collectively celebrate the most rewarding, courageous, and inspiring aspects of Angolan youth. Each nominee, project, and story is a living testimony of determination, creativity, and empathy. These young people do not wait for the world to change; they decide to be the change themselves, doing so with a talent and passion that deeply moves us." She further stated, "In this fifth edition of PTNG, Tigra and Refriango look back with gratitude and forward with hope, given the growing impact these projects have in their communities. We want to actively participate in solutions, standing side by side with those making a difference. This is not merely a social responsibility mission—it reflects who we are as a brand and company with determination, vision, and heart. The quality of the projects continues to improve, making the Tigra Awards Platform a reference point of inspiration nationwide."
The Tigra Nova Garra Awards were established in 2021 as part of Tigra's social responsibility plan to reward and elevate young national talents making a difference in essential areas for the country's development and the well-being of Angolan society. This initiative reinforces Tigra's mission to facilitate the lives of young Angolans and promote their personal and professional development.
