Dancer and choreographer Atanásio Nyusi, a cousin of the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, died today at his home in Maputo at the age of 62.

"[Atanásio Nyusi] made a name for himself as an excellent dancer with the Companhia Nacional de Canto e Dança (CNCD), having been a founding member of the group," writes "Online News", which cites a family source.

"He was a leading figure in the history of the Companhia Nacional de Canto e Dança. He joined the company in 1962, along with his brother, and very early on he made a name for himself as a dancer and later as a teacher. He was the person who created the technique for preparing dancers for traditional dances. As a dancer and one of the former members of the National Singing and Dancing Company, all the artistic repertoire that people know and were able to applaud Atanásio for was a fundamental piece," said the former Director of the CNCD, Davide Abílio, quoted by Rádio Moçambique.

According to the cultural professional, after retiring from performing, Atanásio created the CNCD's Research and Documentation Center. "It was actually a kind of cultural research center."

In 2020, Atanásio Nyusi released his album "Likumbe", which in Ximakonde means "initiation rites".

Others spoke to MZNews about the matter, but said they were unaware of the cause of death. (Video)