SEPTEMBER 2019 ENGLISH EDITION

Awakening Africa Magazine

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ERIC MUKADI FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHTER WORLD Â Â WHERE EACH PERSON HAS A FUTURE money and agreement between the opposite ends of the political spectrum.

The major problem is that, unfortunately, this part of our society, which is the cornerstone of our strength as a unit, receives almost nothing in terms of proper attention and care.

ment, success and lifestyle change.

We are giving back to the community by raising morale, taking care of children, youth and young adults in a productive way.

Education is falling behind as groups of people struggle to find food, shelter and health care.

The Eric Mukadi Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the education, health and quality of life of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our great team of volunteers is committed to helping others through our non-profit organization.

We take our passion for Congo and translate it into action.

Changing the social infrastructure is a gigantic undertaking that requires manpower,

We focus on growth and elevation of thinking to lay the groundwork for self-improve-

Education is the core of a prosperous society.

Every human being has the right, the privilege and the opportunity to get the best education possible.

Unfortunately, in our world, this is often not a reality for many groups of poor people.

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We do this by preserving urban crime; unobstructed streets and unifying all peoples.

Eric Mukadi Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas / Texas which belong to the Caritative actions (Helping poor people in rural area, helping orphan by giving them access to better quality of life).

We live in an uncertain world where when the child is born, his life will be either open to personal comfort, growth and potential, or to a predetermined path going nowhere.

This is why the Eric Mukadi Foundation is dedicated to improving the education, health and quality of life of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Foundation strives to achieve this goal by improving the education system, health care and charity work.

The Eric Mukadi Foundation will provide inmates with the encouragement and support needed to take stock of the life experiences that have propelled them into criminal activities, to take responsibility for their criminal behavior, to change the patterns of violence and addiction that last all life and to help them to live a productive life.

Our vision is to build a strong organization that will become one of the preferred choices of people around the world.

The overall vision is to bring smiles back to our community while raising morale, occupying children and young adults in a productive way.

Our vision reects our values: integrity, service, excellence and teamwork.

The program also provides education, rehabilitation and reintegration support to men and women in prisons across the DRC.

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EDIT O

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frican diasporas play an important role in the economic development of their countries of origin.

Beyond their well-known role as remitters, they also promote trade and direct investment, create businesses, stimulate entrepreneurship and transfer new knowledge and skills.

Africa being an important market for business opportunities and development. these opportunities are often underutilized due to several factors, including the limited knowledge of investors and entrepreneurs about business opportunities, the business climate, the lack of opportunities for exchange between economic operators, limited marketing distributing unreliable information on comparative advantages to convince entrepreneurs and investors to seize these opportunities.

That’s why Awakening Africa magazine strives to encourage and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of African diaspora and inuential people to contribute to Africa’s development.

We offer quarterly economic, social and cultural information to help our readers better understand current news, potential and business opportunities in Africa.

As we are building a strong African community, we strive to awaken, empower, promote and strengthen the business and economic relationships among business people operating in Africa, America and the rest of the world, Thus creating shared prosperity, mutual trust and collective encouragement for public-private partnerships leading to the development of prosperous and sustainable economic initiatives between Africa and the rest of the world.

We encourage the evolution of thoughts towards emergence. to each of us to work for a united, strong and prosperous Africa.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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SUMMA

RY

04 EDITO

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Politic DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI

Stronger Yesterday, Strongest Today

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Determined to excel in the catering Industry

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The new breath of African banks

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Science

Economy and Finance

Culuture

Poet Lutumba Simaro A flame that illuminates in the afterlife

5 Revelations about the human brain

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Network of Influence

Portrait SYLVIE MUKADI

Event

Cap towards success

Fally Ipupa in «America Summer Tour 2019»

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Culture and Arts photography is dead, Long live to Photography

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Publication director: Emmanuel Kalumbata

Our team

Editor-in-Chief: Joel Kanyonyo and Eric Ossongo KADIMA Graphic Design EMKAL STUDIO Photography EMKAL STUDIO

Writing Team RaĂŻssa Tshikandama Cynthia Samba Prisca Ikete Ariane Tongota Emmanuel Kalumbata

Contact: USA +1 972 674 0124 Kinshasa / RDC +243 853 334 445 E-mail: subscribe@awakeningafricamag.com

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Politic

Society

DENISE NYAKERU

TSHISEKEDI THE NEW FIRST LADY OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Stronger yesterday, stronger today On the occasion of the Launch of the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation (FDNT) on May 16, 2019 at Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo made a powerful speech by saying: «My vision is to contribute to a dynamic Congolese society where the woman will be free and strong.»

These words illustrate the strong woman she is herself. «Behind every great man hides a woman,» says a popular wisdom.

In the shadow of President Félix-Antoine TSHISEKEDI shines a bright star whose splendor illuminates the entire galaxy of the new power of DRC. This star is named Denise NYAKERU NKANA. Nurse by profession, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to hide her magnanimity in the features of her affable face and her discreet smile. For some, she seems taciturn. For others, she has a strong personality.

In the light of her official biography written by Father Jean-Bosco BAHALA, those who can read between the lines will realize that the wife of the fifth President of Congo-Kinshasa is rather a tough woman or as she defines herself through the motto of her foundation, a STRONG woman.

The thorns of the rose Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, however, has had a dark childhood.

Everything started from that dismal Thursday of January 25, 1968, which is the tragic death of her parents and one of her uncles, caused by a traffic accident in Bukavu, her hometown.

She was only 9 months old. Ironically, almost 51 years to the day, this is also a Thursday, January 24, 2019 that this orphan of father and mother, since she was a baby, will become First Lady of a huge country in the heart of Africa, thanks to the first ever peaceful and civilized alternation of powers. Who would’ve believed that?

«L’amour n’est simplement amour, que lorsqu’il est donné»

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Married to the son of the historic Opponent Etienne Tshisekedi WA Mulumba since 1996, Denise Nyakeru has not had a rosy life.

On the contrary, enormous thorns have littered her career, which must rightly be considered as an obstacle course. There is no rose without thorns, says a saying...

Raised by her maternal uncle, Father Silvestre Ngami after the disaster that took away her parents, Denise received a rigorous Catholic education.

Later, she will set her sights on Nursing Sciences to finally become a midwife.

The choice of this charitable profession may well justify her interest in addressing the plight of women and children as First Lady.

Nevertheless, she served until the eve of the last elections of the DRC at Jardins d’Ariane, a rest home in the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels.

The life of the first lady is the perfect illustration of her endurance, fighting spirit, perseverance and patience.

What’s more normal than a few months after the election of her husband, she initiated the movement ‘’PLUS FORTES’‘ (STRONGER) on the official launch on of her foundation called Foundation Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi (FDNT). After the death of her parents, the conditions have been put together so that her life does not go nowhere.

She would have become what many orphan girls become in the streets of Kinshasa when they let themselves be bitten by bitterness and let themselves be swallowed up by adversity.

Like a heroine, she has taken the destiny of her life head-on. She triumphed over the vicissitudes of existence by succeeding in studying and shining up her married life to finish First Lady today.

Good example!

On all fronts Immediately after becoming the First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi announced in a bright light the colors of the role she has decided to play during the mandate of the current Head of State, her husband.

On March 8, 2019, during the celebration of the International Women’s Rights Day, she expressed her intention to «fight against violence and discrimination against women and girls».

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Politic

Society

“STRONGER”, VISION OF THE DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI FOUNDATION FOR A DYNAMIC CONGOLESE SOCIETY WHERE THE WOMAN WILL BE FREE, STRONG, VALUED

AND BRING PROGRESS.

On April 13, she breathed new life into the network of women entrepreneurs in the Sultani Makutano collective.

In front of 40 businesswomen, the First Lady promised her unwavering support to women’s entrepreneurship.

In early June, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi visited the infamous Panzi hospital run by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege.

She created a foundation to organize her philanthropic works. The foundation is named the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation (FDNT), which since its official release on May 16, 2019 has received donations totaling $600,000.

This hospital treats and repairs women who have been raped and abused in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Outside the country, the First Lady of the DRC landed on June 9, 2019 in Rwanda where she had fruitful exchanges with Mrs. Jeannette Nyiramongi Kagame, the wife of President Paul Kagame.

As for the objective pursued, the Initiative has affirmed without hesitation that her vision is to contribute to a dynamic Congolese society where women will be free, strong, valued and will bring progress and an innovative vision around the values of work and life, ethics, patience and perseverance.

In the country of thousand hills, Mrs. Denise Nyakeru has benefited from the great experience of the Imbuto Foundation Initiator who has proven successful in the fight against HIV / AIDS and the protection of children.

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We still remember the first African Summit of the First Ladies on Children and HIV / AIDS Prevention organized in Kigali in May 2001 under the patronage of the First Lady of Rwanda.

At the beginning of July, Denise Nyakeru participated in the 23rd General Assembly of the Organization of First Ladies of Africa for Development (OPDAD) held on the sidelines of the 33rd Summit of the African Union.

She took the opportunity to take part in the Symposium on Cancer under the theme ‘’Burden of Cancer in Africa’’ sponsored by Dr Lalla Malika Issoufou, First Lady of Niger.

Countless women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo expect concrete works from their First Lady.

Nevertheless, the epic of her life inspires them and makes them dream. It’s the Congolese dream! This brave woman gives hope to orphans, refugees and those left behind by the Congolese nation.

Eric Ossongo KADIMA & Raïssa Tshikandama

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DR. ARIKANA CHIHOMBORI - QUAO

MY MANDATE IS TO PROMOTE AFRICA IN THE AMERICAS AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO MOBILIZE THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, THAT IS, ALL PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT LIVING OUTSIDE AFRICA.

AFRICAN UNION AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATE

Married to the highly respected Dr. Nii Saban Quao, Her Excellency Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao grew up in a small village in Chivhu, Zimbabwe.

A first-generation immigrant to the United States from Zimbabwe, she completed her undergraduate studies at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated from Meharry Medical College where she earned degrees in general chemistry, a master’s degree in organic chemistry and a doctorate in medicine.

After practicing medicine for 25 years, she actively participated in many African Union

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programs and projects and was Chair of the African Union-Diaspora Health Initiative, where she helped to mobilize health professionals from the diaspora to meet the health care needs of the African continent.

Since accepting the post of Ambassador of the African Union, Her Excellency Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao has earned praise as a leader who has brought renewed energy and new ideas to the mission of the African Union.

As one of those who are trying to undo what happened at the Berlin conference

134 years ago, when the various European powers were exploring, dividing and ruthlessly plundering the entire continent of Africa.

And considering these divisions as a cause of some of Africa’s problems that are still in effect today.

She seeks to bring together African states and Africans from the diaspora to build a strong and united African community.

Politique

Société

Known as “Scramble for Africa”, thirteen European countries and the United States met in Berlin and established rules that divided Africa into 53 nations.

“They were going randomly to Africa to seize everything they could ... [they say], let’s organize ourselves so that we can loot them effectively.”

This strategy is still in place, tirelessly, and no one disputes it. It’s just accepted, “she said. “ She is the second permanent representative of the African Union to hold this position.

In this capacity, she pleads for Africans and friends of Africa to participate in the development of Africa.

Outstanding in her eloquence, intelligence and courage, she set herself the goal of mobilizing Africans in the diaspora to help and awaken them to build a strong African continent and create a lasting wealth legacy.

In January 2019, she launched the ‘’ Wakanda One ‘’ Project. The project will start in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Because it is these two countries that have made offers of land.

The “Wakanda One Project” is expected to raise $ 5 billion in development funds over the next five years or so. The project will be financed by Africans from all over the diaspora, who will be the sole owners.

It will include five centers of excellence in the five regions of the African continent. The five centers will be development centers with state-of-the-art health facilities, hotels, industrial residences and shopping centers, etc.

WE AFRICANS ARE BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT, SOPHISTICATED, EXTREMELY ADAPTABLE AND TOTALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE. ANY OTHER RACE THAT HAS GONE THROUGH WHAT WE’VE BEEN THROUGH WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTINGUISHED AND THAT’S THE TRUTH. Dr. Arikana Chihombori Quao Emmanuel Kalumbata

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Society

Interview

SYLVIE MUKADI Determined to excel in the catering Industry

Married and mother of three wonderful children and and a lover of the kitchen since her youth. Sylvie Mukadi immediately understood that there was no substitute for fresh ingredients and careful preparation.

Inspired by her mother who is a good cooker, Sylvie Mukadi has been professionally involved in catering, entertainment and festive activities as a chef.

Passionate about cooking, she is dedicated to creating healthy and delicious foods and providing practical services that save her clients time. Offering personalized recommendations and support while in14 Awakening Africa Magazine

corporating appropriate food choices into lifestyle options. she strives to create the perfect balance between customer and chef.

Sylvie has been able to cultivate fruitful and lasting relationships with her clients, not only because of her professionalism, but also because of her three-fold strategy: A: What the customer wants: Customer requirements and opinions are essential for menu planning. Each menu takes into account the nutritional needs and food sensitivities (allergies, etc.) of each person.

B. Health and taste: Sylvie Mukadi’s culinary goal is not only to eat well, but also to stay healthy.

It coaxes the most intense avors of generally sweet ingredients, while using lowfat foods and calories.

Sylvie thinks that when we take care of our body by eating healthy, we improve our mood and our energy level.

C. Portion control : The amount of food a person eats is the most important factor in controlling their weight and staying in shape. In planning menus for customers, Sylvie focuses on food quality.

From menu planning to food presentation to make you savor, Sylvie Mukadi offers a personalized experience to make your event unique.

1. Can you tell us about your business?

SM SBlessing hand is a tailor-made catering company based in Dallas, Texas.

My business grew mostly by word of mouth for nine years and served the city of Dallas and the rest of the United States.

Specializing in corporate and private functions, birthday celebrations, office launches, weddings and school balls.

The dishes are prepared from local ingredients and are often traditional recipes with a contemporary style of service, served in plates and bowls with harmonious shapes.

My menu offers a variety of African, Caribbean, Jamaican and American dishes.

I have a team of qualified, intelligent and trained staff to high standards in food hygiene and customer service.

2. What goal do you want to achieve in the catering industry?

SM My goal is always to love what I do and to excel in the industry. I am grateful to see people of all races eating and enjoying my food, It allows me to continue to be motivated.

SM I understand that people have different needs. I have always taken the time to understand these factors in order to present to the customers a package that will make them happy.

In this industry, I learned to listen better to customers. This helps me to put together a nice package for them.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

My ultimate goal is to become an international chef, to travel outside the United States and cook for events in Europe and Africa.

3. How do you handle difficult customers?

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Society

Portrait

JOEL R. KANYONYO A vision that pushes the limits.

Joël R. KANYONYO BAMUTANGA, 32, is a Congolese entrepreneur (DRC); Initiator and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Regulus Connexion.

After his stint at the Kinshasa Academy of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture, he embarked on entrepreneurship.

In 2013, in Lubumbashi, the second city and the economic capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, he created, with one of his childhood friends, the company “SUN EYES GROUP”; A company specializing in communication consulting and organizing events and initiates a magazine called REG MAGAZINE. But the adventure lasts only 2 years and Joel will go back to Kinshasa, his hometown.

Mid-2016, He launches the company “REGULUS CONNECTION”. This company specializes in communication, events, public relations and business consulting.

In 2017, in a tense political environment in his country, he succeeded in designing and imposing together with his team the 1st Business and Investment Fair in Kinshasa.

Despite the unstable political situation, his company managed to organize the National Forum on Digital and the second edition of the Business and Investment Fair in Kinshasa, the following year, in 2018.

His company thus receives the support of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Posts, Telecommunications, New Technologies of Information and Communication (PTNTIC) and several public and private companies; because these events brought together thousands of people from the business world in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The success of these events allowed him to position himself and offer his services

as Manager with two other companies in the DRC: WAX & WASH [A company specializing in car wash and maintenance] and FITEC (Fiber Optical IT Telecommunications and Consulting), A company evolving in the integration and installation of Telecom and IT equipment; for over two years.

Very young, Joël R. KANYONYO aims at the development of his country the DRC. He undertakes to create wealth in his country and participates in the dynamics of this generation of entrepreneurs who work to transform the huge potential of the DRC into wealth for the benefit of the entire Congolese population.

Open-minded, friendly, he has won the trust of a dozen companies in his country that accompany his events.

He gradually builds a framework for development of Congolese entrepreneurs.

Currently, he works to facilitate the integration and supervision of investors in his country; and he plans to create a lot of companies in this country of opportunities that is the DRC. To the question of how far he expects to arrive, he answers: “I have no limit”.

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Society

Portrait

I dream of a Congolese aware of his rights but also of his responsibility in each of his choices.

RUDDY SAKOMBI Communicologist by training and currently working in telecommunications in Kinshasa, specifically in customer operations, Rudy Sakombi presents himself as an activist of personal and interpersonal development, which refers to a quest for discovery of talents and potential but also of a better kind of relationship with those around him.

1. What would the world look like if you realized your vision - who would benefit and who would suffer?

those around me to find their way but above all, to move forward.

3. Where does your passion come from?

RS A world where everyone has found his place, its importance and what we are called. It would certainly be those who will get tired of a monotonous life, those who want to see their daily life changed, those who aspire to more.

And for those who will suffer, it will be simply those who are content with their lives, without being frustrated by the status quo, those who are content with comfort.

RS Being born again and having known the love of God through Jesus Christ, I would say that my passion comes from God in the first place and from the best that I see in my life. And for me, it is not possible to keep as much potential when you know that it takes no more than one person to shake the world.

5. What do you do most of your time?

RS You may not believe me, but I observe.

I can write a lot and even talk when I need to, but I watch more.

6. Who are your mentors, your heroes, and your predecessors?

RS I would certainly say several, from Patrice E. Lumumba to Thomas Sankara, through the great Motivators of our time, the list would be long for all cities.

4. What are you most afraid of? Get your way or not get your way?

7. Where do you get your inspiration?

RS Not to be where I was supposed to be and where I’m supposed to be. There is nothing worse than missing the opportunity of one’s life.

RS My inspiration certainly comes from the one who gave me this passion to see others in their best light, I would say Jesus Christ.

2. What motivates you to do what you do?

RS My biggest motivation is knowing that each of us is an answer in a specific area.

The concern to be useful but also to help

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8. What is your vision for Congolese youth? What change would you like to make to help this youth do better?

RS The same they always have, great and incomparable.

Congolese youth has a major role in the emergence of the new generation of Africans. It is this youth that will bring this new wind into both cultural and entrepreneurial exchanges.

aside! It is true that the course is very long to raise and restore the bases such as education and patriotism, but I know it is possible.

The change that I would like to bring and that I bring is in an awareness of who is the Congolese, in the awakening of the national conscience by moments of exchange with the youth and why not of its frame.

I dream of a Congolese aware of his rights but also of his responsibility in each of his choices.

I am not pessimistic and surreal, but I am realistic, with so much natural and human potential, how do we want this youth to be put Emmanuel Kalumbata

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ANDJELO CHERTY MWEMBYA Founder and Acting Sponsorship Chair of Yadi leaders.

Yadi leaders has the mission to facilitate the social, cultural and economic education of all the Young Africans to inform them about their roots and their country of origin while engaging in constructive socio-cultural and socio-economic developments.

The vision is to solidly establish and to streamline the most efficient and effective peer-to-peer network amongst the US-African Diaspora, other African Diaspora around the world and the young African professionals/scholars living in Africa.

Over 18 year of career ranging from engineering management to becoming an international strategist in business development trailblazer in various industries: IT, Telecom, Energy, Real Estates, Trading, mining, and financial solutions.

Anjelo has more than 20 years in the management of international development strategy in various sectors: IT, telecommunications, energy, real estate, commerce, mining and finance.

He can offer business solutions that use innovative and disruptive technologies from the private, public and government sectors, while customers enjoy the following benefits:

2. Cost reduction with the rationalization of their CAPEX and OPEX 3. Creation of business opportunities 4. Commercial expansions 5. Increase their return on investment by at least 20% or more

1. Operational and functional efficiency He does not consider himself only a solution man, but also an experienced negotiator knowing the trends and cultures of local and international markets.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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Politics

Society

UDPS FROM THE OPPOSITION TO POWER THE NEW POLITICAL ERA IN THE DRC. Issues and Perspectives

After his 50 years of age, Étienne Tshisekedi decided to create with his political companions (Ngalula, Mbwankien, Makanda, Lihau, Kibassa-Maliba, etc.) the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, (UDPS).

This decision to create a political party for the restoration of the rule of law, good governance, distributive justice, national unity, peace and social welfare, starts with the letter of the 13 parliamentarians addressed to President Mobutu in 1980.

This letter made an unfortunate statement of the social, economic and political situation of the former Zaire to which the co-founders of the UDPS should 22 Awakening Africa Magazine

remedy if they managed to conquer the power.

The Sphinx of Limete and his collaborators committed their lèse-majesté crime by creating the Union for Democracy and Social Progress on February 15, 1982.

The creation of UDPS will then cost them arrests, relegations, imprisonment and deaths of their supporters.

In 2011 as presidential candidate, Étienne Tshisekedi promises to rebuild the day after his victory, a new Congo he has always dreamed of.

But unfortunately! He will not be elected; it is Joseph Kabila Kabange who will win

the elections. Etienne Tshisekedi, who came second, claims victory and proclaims himself President of the Republic in his stronghold in Limete.

At the end of December 2016, after so many demonstrations, the UDPS took part in negotiations with President Kabila who remains in power despite the expiry of his term.

This negotiation leads to the agreement of Saint Sylvester. At the beginning of February 2017, the historical opposition leader of the DRC, Etienne Tshisekedi bows out in Belgium and will be buried two years later in his country, in the capital, Kinshasa.

Shortly after the death of his biological and political father, Félix Tshisekedi succeeded him and became president of the UDPS, the largest opposition party in the country.

He is also nominated to represent the party in the presidential election scheduled for December 2018.

Since Thursday, January 24, 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo has entered a new dimension of its history, The first peaceful political alternation at the head of state.

This new situation is caused by the elections after which the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, son of Etienne Tshisekedi will be proclaimed winner of the presidential elections.

The victory is favorable for the UDPS, which has been campaigning for more than 35 years to obtain the keys to state management.

However, it is dramatic because on the one hand it will have to show a lot of expertise being a long-time opponent party and on the other hand it will be forced to deal with its political opponents because the regime being semi-presidential, the government will therefore be formed with the party that has obtained a majority in parliament.

This unprecedented situation makes it difficult for the UDPS, which, despite its victory in the presidential election, will not be able to manage the country alone.

Not being alone at the controls, is not necessarily a problem but you have to ask the question with whom to coordinate? Will the UDPS succeed in keeping all its promises made to the Congolese people for more than 35 years?

Indeed, during the opposition period, the UDPS was known for its uncompromising character, although since a while there has been a slight flexibility: we will remember his decision to tolerate the electronic voting machine yet criticized by other groups of the opposition like LAMUKA, also that of going to the elections in spite of the exclusion of the city of YUMBI and Butembo by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

view that the situation is unprecedented, cohabitation would not have been a good idea. It would be even dramatic, which is why it has tilted in favor of a coalition of forces for the proper functioning of institutions.

The Congo, which was expecting a radical change in the political class, may have to wait a while longer. Admittedly, the change is there but it is not radical as desired.

The ideology of continuity advocated by the old regime is inherent to the new regime and Henry Mova Sakanyi, CFC (Common Front for Congo) executive, discusses the maintenance of the system that began since Laurent Désiré Kabila.

However, some political analysts believe that this is not continuity but rather the search for comfort in power and securing the interests of each other.

In view of the table presented above, one wonders if the Union for Democracy and Social Progress will be able to apply its program set up for more than 35 years.

That said, we are currently seeing a new way of seeing things in the UDPS that has been at the root of its success in the last election.

This new apprehension of the political life does not make him see any inconvenience to coordinate with the Common Front for the Congo, political formation of the Predecessor of Felix Tshisekedi at the head of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with which before and during the elections they looked at each other like faience dogs.

President Felix Tshisekedi says in an inter-

Because the issue is too much great and the party will not be safe from the harsh criticism that is already going on against it.

What do you think of the CACH coalition (Cape for Change) Political Leadership Driven by the Current Head of State and CFC (Common Front for Congo), Political Force Led by the former Head of State?

Do you think that the President will be able to defend the interests of the people, restore a distributive justice as well as a national unity?

We will come back!

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Network of Influence

Entrepreneurship

GAUTHIER MUTOMBO A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR WHO CONTRIBUTES AND BRINGS GROWTH TO THOSE AROUND HIM Being primarily a father and a husband, Gauthier Mutombo is also a serial entrepreneur who has resided in the United States since 1996. He considers himself a mentor for the younger generation who needs advice and guidance.

Holder of a degree in computer science and engineering.

Gauthier is a successful entrepreneur who started his business very early. He currently owns and manages a new technology company.

Very ambitious and very serious when it comes to working, He joins his community and contributes by bringing growth to those around him. Although he has several responsibilities, he is always willing to help people whenever he has the opportunity.

1. What are your responsibilities as a business owner?

GM As a business owner, there are many responsibilities, including overseeing all aspects of the business. I am the brain of the company, so I have to supervise and adapt it to the way I want it to grow.

In order to realize my vision, I must have control and direction of it properly.

2. Does your business help the community where it is?

GM Yes, my company helps the community by providing employment opportunities, especially to the Congolese community and most people who have just started their lives here in the United States.

You must never be content with anything and never have a poor state of mind. You must always strive to be better than you were yesterday 4. Can you give me a description of your company?

GM Since 2004, We specialize in new technologies and also provide audiovisual equipment and lighting, as well as all the necessary hardware and logistics for conferences and events.

We have offices in Washington DC, Orlando FL, Nashville TN and Denver CO.

3. If you had some advice for a beginner, what would it be?

5. Was there a time when you wanted to quit? And how did you handle this situation or did you overcome it?

GM I would say to work hard and never give up. There is a reason we have a dream and we can make it happen when we work hard and stay perseverant.

GM I think there are always times when things do not go the way we want. But I do not think I wanted to stop or give up.

I have always seen such situations as op-

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portunities for growth.

I never allow myself to think about giving up, which has helped me to accept the challenges of life and finally overcoming it.

6. At the end of your life, what would you like to be able to do more today?

What’s stopping you?

GM I wish I could have spent more time with my family. But being a business manager, I do my best to balance those responsibilities and sometimes give priority to my family.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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NAOMIE CILUMBA She is best known by her closest friends as simply Naomie, but in the professional world, Tshioba Naomie Cilumba is what she prefers to be called.

Ms. Cilumba is an educated multi-lingual woman with professional backgrounds in banking, education, finance, marketing, and healthcare administration.

She’s a young woman impacting her community in the world of business as a serial entrepreneur. She wears many hats, and she is thriving as one of the youngest female leaders as she continues to rise from one state to the next as a business owner.

1. What shifted your mentality to be self-employed versus working for someone else?

NC The shift happened when I saw myself always providing ideas, disagreeing with my bosses, and my vision not aligning with that of the companies I worked for.

One of the main reasons I was quickly motivated to start my own business was the fact that the employers for whom I had the skills to work would refuse to offer me a job.

I was dressing decently, was speaking professionally, was creating the best resumes, I met the training requirements, I had work experience, but for some reason, the less skilled than me always received the offers.

Every negative response I received reassured me that my purpose on this earth was to be a leader.

2. Tell us about your first entrepreneurial venture: How did you come up with the idea and how did you start your business?

NC My first entrepreneurial ventures were in sales, marketing, media, and money management. I have always juggled several activities at the same time.

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Whether it was selling phone cases online or promoting local events from door to door.

The idea to start my own business came when I saw a lot of my friends making money through entertainment, but not knowing how to multiply it or invest that money. I forced them into investing in me by creating an online boutique and entertainment company.

That was also the best way for them to see how their money was working for them.

In the summer of July 05, 2012, Sérénité Groupe, LLC was created.

3. Can you tell us about your business, and why you chose the name Sérénité?

NC The name Sérénité was the best way, to sum up, all the pain, mistakes, doubts along my journey, and served as hope to consistently remind me of where I was and where I am going.

It’s very dear to my heart and comes from my favorite prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Sérénité Groupe, LLC consists of several branches such as tax preparations, event promotions, business startup assistance, international artist management, online boutiques, business investments, etc.

4. How did you know when you had the right idea?

NC There was a need for change in my community, and people benefited from what I had to offer.

No matter what I did to shift away from the business, it always found a way back to me, and the joy in my clients’ eyes assured me that my idea was impacting their lives in one way or another.

Network of Influence

5. How did you get where you are today, and who or what helped you along the way?

NC Several people played major roles in my life. My parents sacrificed their wellbeing for me to go after my dreams, and the best thing they offered me was a daily motivation book and Bible to help guide me when I was lost. I also had a few mentors and coaches along the way who invested their time and money when I wanted to expand to new states and locations.

6. How did you handle adversity and doubt?

NC I only doubted myself when my peers did not believe in me, so I’ve always had to shift those negative remarks by seeing the finish line of all my endeavors.

What fuels my fire every day is when people tell me I am crazy for my ideas, that it is not possible, it has never been done, and you are a woman trying to amount to things males do.

7. What tips or advice do you have for other women who would like to start their businesses and succeed?

NC The best advice I have for women is to never be afraid to take the road less

taken. It is okay for you to be the person who paves the way, and everything will fall in place. To succeed you cannot underestimate any marketing strategy because different methods work for different audiences.

I stumble and fall, but I get up because I know it is part of the process of becoming successful.

8. What’s is your best marketing method as an entrepreneur?

NC You don’t get lucky, it is destiny.

NC Our world is now powered by technology and I would say the best marketing method for me is being active on social media, and direct contacts on my phone, and word of mouth.

11.Has luck played a major role in your success?

12. After all this success, what is the biggest challenge for you as an entrepreneur to this day?

NC Sometimes I feel like I am in my way, and there are times when I consistently wonder if I let the right individuals in mycircle.

9. What have you learned about leadership, entrepreneurship and mentoring others?

I am my own worst critic.

13. How do you balance your personal life from work?

NC I have learned to be patient, and to listen before reacting to situations life brings my direction.

I am not always quick to judge because people I have once neglected in the past have surprisingly being a huge part of my success when I tried to void them out.

10. Did You Experience Failures? If so, what did you learn from them?

NC Of course! Countless times.

The biggest lessons I learned in life were only acquired when God allowed me to fail.

When my fears come in the way,

NC I factor in vacations to minimize stress, and I try my best to differentiate the two from each other.

14. Are You Happy with your accomplishments, and what would you do differently?

NC Yes! I am happy with my accomplishments, and the sky is not the limit for me. Every day that God grants me on this earth, I strive to consistently evolve by taking different approaches that align with my vision.

Emmanuel Kalumbata Awakening Africa Magazine

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Network of Influence

Entrepreneurship

ROSALIE R. MAGERA Young Female Entrepreneur, graduated in Business Management from the South African Institute of Management (SAIM) and holder of a Diploma in Business Management from Damelin College in South Africa and pursuing Executive MBA in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development at Jesuit Catholic University in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Rosalie is an optimistic and insightful woman. A woman with a big heart but who cannot keep quiet when she sees certain injustices. This led her to create a non-governmental organisation called Afrik ‘Love and Sharing (AAP ONGD), with some members of her family.

The organization aims to fight the persecution of women and children and to ensure the economic empowerment of women in all areas of life.

The first intervention of his organisation was in favor of women victims of rape use as a weapon of war in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013/2014.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, she has invested in business by creating the “RMAG Group” in which she assumes the role of General Manager. The Group has as branches of activity in: fashion, interior decoration, advice and services.

In terms of fashion, Rmag Group prioritizes fabrics of mainly African origin such as Kita, Bogolan, Kente, Baoulé loincloth and others. These purely African fabrics are mixed with leather, jeans, linen, cotton and others, in order to bring a more African connotation.

The Rmag Group also has another area of intervention, the advice and services in terms of well-being and fitness as being herself a certified fitness coach (training received at the National Institute of Youth and Sports of Abidjan in Côte of Ivory (INJS).

The RMAG Group plans to embark on a near future in Agribusiness.

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1. What do you think are the qualities that women entrepreneurs need to develop?

RM African women entrepreneurs must first be aware that they are the foundation of the development of the African continent.

They must thus tear their place on the table by marking their footprints in the business community in Africa. They must not wait for men to create a space that is favorable for them but rather to create for themselves a favorable and conducive environment for their development in the business world on the continent.

A woman should never be considered a subhuman.

Unfortunately, this is still in the mentality of some men in some circles of this continent and even the world.

I will also say that a woman should always think big.

Women working in the agricultural sector, for example, must not only limit themselves to production, but also think about the transformation of their production into finished products ready for consumption, for example.

Therefore, they must invest in industrialization by embarking on agribusiness. Hence the need for the mobilization of new resources to increase their capital.

2. Journey and challenges: RM I did not start directly in entrepreneurship. But I would say that I was discovered at an early age when I was about 15 to 16 years old by a presenter of the Congolese national radio and television where I started as a co-host.

I then continued in the TV presentation and animation.

Having not yet obtained my bachelor’s degree, I was recruited into a local telecommunications company in the marketing and communication department.

In order to go to university, I had to leave the country to continue my studies, at the University of Mentouri in Constantine, Algeria, in English Literature and foreign languages.

Subsequently, I enrolled in business management in Johan-

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nesburg, South Africa.

While pursuing my higher education, I also co-founded during this period of managerial studies a production company called “Les Bantu production”. Specialising in marketing, events, creation and video production, documentary and so on.

I also started at the same time slowly my clothing line that I called at the time “Bantu design” with some people from the South African fashion scene.

The brand has become much more personal today hence the current name “RMag” which is nothing but the diminutive of my name.

The difficulties or challenges have never been the same in Johannesburg, Abidjan or Kinshasa.

But I have observed one thing in common in all these African cities, the major problem that arises first is related to the mentality of the person in front of you.

However, as in any business, it is necessary to adapt ,to persevere and to equip oneself with a fighting spirit and to make the difference to achieve one’s goals.

I cannot finish by pointing out that my age and gender have often been perceived as a handicap.

This is a problem for many women in business, politics or other ...

Fortunately, for some of us, we have understood that our femininity should not be considered as a weakness, but on the contrary, women entrepreneurs should continue to impose themselves as they go and find a place in the sun.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

Network of Influence

DIANE NDEUNA Diane is a very combative Cameroonian entrepreneur who has managed to chart her way despite the challenges and difficulties.

She is the CEO of EDEN AFRICA, a non-political, non-profit organisation.

Her organisation is a network of women and young entrepreneurs who build projects of social and economic impact in order to achieve empowerment of the concerned targets.

Her main objective is therefore to promote the social, cultural and economic development of peoples; and improving the legal and institutional environment for a favorable business climate for the economic development of women and youth.

EDEN AFRICA therefore supports women and young people in a process of empowerment and continuous improvement for their economic independence and their development.

After her studies, inspired by her mother who taught her entrepreneurship, she started her own business so she could impact her community and the rest of the world.

Together with her family, she worked very hard to materialize her idea.

“I always had one goal: to leave a long-lasting legacy. That’s why, from a very young age, me and my team formed other young people to grow and become successful entrepreneurs.

As always, the beginning is very difficult, but

I did not give up my vision, but I remained focused and determined to accomplish what matters most to me.”

Said this very combative lady.

sation continues to train the younger generation for free.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

She started her adventure with few universities in Cameroon and today with hard work, dedication, tenacity and determination, her organization works in partnership with 27 universities in Cameroon.

She currently works with international organisations as an expert and her organi-

+237 6 96 20 60 57 www.eden-africa.org boulevard de la liberté douala bonanjo (11 335,24 km) 237 Douala

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ERIKA PEZZELA Married, mother of four and an entrepreneur, Erika runs an event planning business that is part of her husband’s business. She has been in the business world since 2004 and her business is located in the Washington DC area.

She is Miss Virginia 2019 and participated in the Miss Globe contest in California last June.

As an entrepreneur, she strives to work hard and progress in all aspects of her life.

1. Can you tell us about your career?

EP My main goal in my career is the constant growth and improvement of my company, as well as following the technological changes of the world.

3. What do you think are the qualities that women entrepreneurs need to develop to stand out?

I like running my own business and being my own boss. although it’s sometimes very difficult to have so much responsibility on my part but the rewards are worth it.

EP I think it is important for women to know that they should never be discouraged or think they are limited because they are women.

They should know that, whatever their dream, they can realize it as long as they can overcome any obstacles they may face.

2. How do you define yourself?

4. Are you easy to join?

EP I am a hard worker, a protective mother and a caring person.

EP Yes, despite my busy life, I am easier to reach than you think.

Most people who knows me, knows that I respond to SMS and e-mails on an ad hoc basis, while phone calls are a bit difficult for me because I am always in meetings.

I stand up for the vulnerable and I hope to make a difference in the world one day.

I focus on my life and my career and sometimes it’s confused with an antisocial character, but once people get to know me, they realize that’s not the case.

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I always knew that I wanted to own a business.

After my wedding, I started planning weddings for friends and acquaintances at the church.

I realized that it was something that I liked and that’s what motivated me and pushed me to transform my passion into business.

6. What services or products do you offer?

I offer professional event planning services for business and private.

Including, decoration, audiovisual equipment and lighting installation anywhere in and around the Washington DC area.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

5. How did you get your idea or concept to start your business?

RANDALL MUZITO LOPES Married and a mother of two, Randall Muzito Lopes holds a degree in International Business from the Strayer University in the United States of America. Randal is a combative woman determined to accompany and organise actions aimed at promoting socio-cultural but also educational values of Congolese in general.

She currently works as President of the Fumumpa Foundation, which aims to participate in the development of the Kwilu Province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo with its natural and human potential.

1. Can you briey tell us about the Mfumupa Foundation ?

RM The FUMUMPA Foundation is a non-governmental organization working in the social sector.

2. Why did you create this organization?

How has it changed or changed over time?

RM I created this organization with the aim of supporting and organising actions aimed at promoting the socio-cultural and educational values of Congolese in general.

From 2015 to today, we progressively develop our projects and implement them in the field.

And we support to the extent possible any action that aims to promote the values mentioned above.

3. Can you tell me about the work of your organization and the program or programs you run?

RM From the education to the supervision of the young mothers through the leisure of course, the foundation Fumumpa works daily with the support of the population and

the support of our members of honor for the realisation of our projects. from 2015 to date, we have realized projects such as:

5. What are your goals for the next five years? What priorities will help you reach them?

The drinking water supply chain linking 3 large neighborhoods of the city of Kikwit.

RM Our objectives for the next 5 years are many that I will not know the cities one by one, but I will say that our biggest challenge is the development of the province of Kwilu by its human potential by participating in development in each sector.

The holding of a large school competition across the province of kwilu for the supervision of youth.

The holding of a big mixed football tournament for both financial and material support to the youth The acquisition of land for the promotion of agriculture and livestock

6. How do you spend most of your time personally?

RM Beyond my duty and obligations as wife and mother, I spend most of my time working, developing ideas to propose to my collaborators for in-depth studies.

Supervision and coaching of single mom 4. What are the results achieved by your organization? How has your program improved over time?

Emmanuel Kalumbata

RM The impact of the promotion and development and the determination of the youth has worked for the common interest, this positive state of mind is considered by us as a very positive result and an encouragement for the future projects.

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MULOWA KAJOBA Originally from Katanga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and living in the United States of America for nearly 25 years, Mulowa K. Kajoba has more than 15 years of professional experience and success in management, leadership and engineering projects, including highway and interchange design, traffic analysis, design and inspection of signal structures.

As a Christian, she rejoices in the greatest legacy her parents have left her, faith in God through Jesus Christ. She is always inspired by the words of her parents “Fear only God and respect everyone”.

This is the value she has always kept and uses to live in her roles as mother, sister, community member, friend and professional.

She manages multi-million-dollars contracts and administers tasks related to consultants’ engineering contracts.

With the help of consulting teams, she managed the development of more than twenty pre-engineering alternatives to improve capacity, operations and security during exchanges.

The success of her leadership is illustrated by the Governor’s approval to allocate $ 100,000,000 for the completed design-build work for this exchange.

of the Congo. She is counting on the support of other ambassadors of hope to help change the world for better, one village at a time.

As a math teacher at a local community college, she encourages students to overcome fear by believing in themselves.

According to the teachers’ rating, she has a 5 out of 5.

1. How did you become the General Secretary of the Congolese Community of Washington Metropolitan (CCWM)?

Recently, she has embarked on non-profit projects to build schools in isolated villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo to break the cycle of poverty by using formal education.

She is proud to say that in the early days there were a small number of students and in the fourth school year, nearly 150 children were in school.

As President, her vision is to complete the construction of a primary school, a secondary school, a library, and duplicate this effort throughout the Democratic Republic 40 Awakening Africa Magazine

MK To be honest, it is God who orchestrated everything by using His people to recommend me as an asset to the community.

The actual President Claudine Sassa contacted me to ask if I would like to be part of her Team as she was preparing to run for the election. Prior to that, I did not know who she was, but I accepted her invitation to meet her to learn more.

Her passion to make a difference in the Congolese Community lead me to accept the invitation and to be part of her vision: “making a pathway to a brighter and better CCWM”.

I knew it would be a lot of work, but I was up for the challenge. It is for our community, our people that I accepted to become the General Secretary of CCWM, it is for the greater good.

That unexpected invitation from President Claudine Sassa was part of a greater plan, so I am excited.

2. Are you interested in politics?

MK Not particularly. The extent of my involvement in politics would be as an independent contributor to ideas and plans that advance the Country and its community forward.

3. Other than being the General Secretary of the CCWM, what else are you involved in? ........Next page

I am a mother, Chairperson and Founder of Galaxy of Universal Potentials (GO-UP) Corporation and Non-Profit, and I am a Translator.

I am also the President and Founder of the firm BiCaro Engineering & Consulting Services, LLC. this is a new venture.

4. Can you tell us about your project in the D.R. Congo?

MK Our organization, GO-UP, is a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization that renders educational and charitable services.

In September 2015 we committed

to end illiteracy in the villages of DR Congo, starting in Katanga by building a Primary School.

On day one of the 2015-2016 school year we had about 15 students.

We are in the fourth school year 2018-2019, and there are nearly 150 students who are doing great.

GO-UP provides a ladder to climb out of poverty into a world of opportunity so our children can grow to be even greater contributing members of society and ultimately the world.

conditions using formal education.

We believe that education is a right and not privilege; it should be accessible to all.

We would like to build the entire primary school through 6th grades as we plan for secondary and higher education opportunities.

Please visit www.Go-UpCorporation.org for more information and opportunity to help. Together we are stronger!

Emmanuel Kalumbata

Our vision is to help by uplifting and empowering people to tap into their potential and sustain better living

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RUTH KIAKU RWIZIBUKA

We allow ourselves to exclude this young particular woman from any list of successful entrepreneurs. If you have not read his story yet, make it a priority.

Like some of the other names mentioned on this list, Ruth Kiaku Rwizibuka takes at a very young Age, the entrepreneurial spirit: “I was still 15 when I started my adventure in the business world by helping my dear parents in their business while I was still a schoolgirl”, Said Ruth.

She holds a marketing degree at Damelin College in South Africa. Today she’s a successful young entrepreneur in the Upper

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Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Being very young, Ruth is delighted today with her success, thanks to her perseverance and the challenges she has overcome.

Coming from a wonderful family of nine children of which she is the fourth, she draws her inspiration from her parents who introduced her into the business world from the early age.

Today she owns more than one business and she plans, in the near future, to get into the business she has had work since her

young age with her parents, the Jewelries.

Being a wife and mother of a beautiful girl with an angelic face, this ambitious and prosperous young entrepreneur plans to expand her horizons in the business world to create more jobs.

Being more focused in fashion and clothing, Ruth plans to create her own brand (MADE IN CONGO).

Originally from the province of Mai-Ndombe, (Ex Bandundu), in the Democratic Republic of Congo, married and mother of 5 children, this iron woman with a big heart and a fighting spirit started her professional career in Belgium where she worked as secretary at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Formerly Called Zaire) for five years.

Today she lives peacefully in the United States with her family, more precisely in the city of Dallas where she owns an African restaurant (Exotic Grill), where all Africans meet for a drink and dinner.

1. What prompted you to create your Restaurant?

passion, so I had a deep desire to open a restaurant.

As a mother of five beautiful children, I wanted the best for them.

That’s why I wanted to own a business so I could give them a better life and serve my community.

2. How did you manage to finance your restaurant?

Living in a foreign country is not always easy. I had a full-time job, which helped me to save money but with a lot of passion, dedication, perseverance and the help of my husband who loves me so much we have managed to finance the business.

3. What do you give back to your community?

I am always available to help with what I can, so I am planning in the near future to open an NGO to help vulnerable children and women in the DRC.

MARIE KADIA

MK Cooking has always been my

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AFRICAN UNION MISSION TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA As part of that mission, there will be conferences, creation and implementation of Diaspora focused initiatives, and programs that will advance the AU’s 2063 Agenda.

Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao was appointed in 2017 as the Permanent Representative of the African Union in the United States of America.

Her Excellency, Dr. Chihombori-Quao brings renewed energy to the African Union (AU) Mission and is working towards fulfilling her mandate to improve diplomatic ties and enhance the existing good relations between the USA and the AU and brings new ideas and programs.

As part of that mission, Ambassador Chihombori-Quao is mobilizing the African Diaspora to get actively involved in the development and growth the African continent is experiencing.

The purpose of the AU mission in the US is to achieve greater unity and solidarity amongst the peoples of Africa by coordinating and consolidating the Diaspora, thereby facilitating the engagement between the African Union and its peoples of African descent within the Sixth Region of the AU and the Diaspora.

To realize this purpose, the AU will participate in the establishment of African Diaspora constituencies and further facilitate the collective engagement of the various constituencies of the African Diaspora as established by the African Union Mission to the US.

Success of this mission requires the active engagement and proactive mobilization of the Diaspora. To that end, she has organized the US into 12 regions staffed by volunteers.

AFRICAN UNION REGION 6 Region 6 of the African Union consists of 8 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. The first group to be organized under this program in the African Diaspora is the state of Texas.

In February 2019, at an event held in Irving Texas, H.E Dr. Chihombori-Quao confirmed Mr. Benson Kasue as the steering committee chairman and charged him and his team with the organization and mobilization of the African Diaspora in the state.

The Austin and San Antonio chapters followed and were formed after a visit from the Ambassador to the two cities for the “U.S-Africa Cultural Expo, Business Matchmaking & Awards Conference” hosted by AFTV5 and “Connecting with Africa” event hosted by MAAT Marketing-KuumbaNia’s in San Antonio and Austin on 10 May, 2019.

The Mayor of San Antonio, Mr. Ron Rosenberg Nirenberg and the County Commissioner Tommy Calvert were among the noted dignitaries in attendance.

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On June 28, 2019, SHAPE Community Center in Houston, Texas hosted H. E. Dr. Chihombori-Quao.

Her Excellency met with many African Diaspora community leaders and shared with them the opportunities that the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Agreement presents to the African Diaspora.

THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (AFCFTA) The AU approved and made a monumental decision that will launch the unfinished business of the Organization of African Unity.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will create one of the largest free trade areas in the world by bringing Africa to the world stage as one block, one continent and speaking with one voice.

The AfCFTA was launched on July 7, 2019 by 55 African Heads of State in Niamey, Niger.

African nations shall now begin trading as one AFRICA on the world stage within six to twelve months of this launch. The AfCFTA is something that will put Africa on a very competitive platform with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 3 trillion dollars and serving a population of over 1.2 billion and a rising middle class. Representatives from the Diaspora including the African Union Region six –Texas Chair Mr. Benson Kasue were present to witness the Historic Moment.

For more Infos https://auwashingtondc.org/ https://auregionsix.org/

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SociĂŠtĂŠ

Portrait

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Réseautage D’influence

Cap vers le succès

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Cap vers le succès

1. Tanya Toko Aged 39, wife and mother of three daughters and living in Los Angeles, California since 1998, this great lady with a big heart and infallible intelligence is an expert in finance and accounting and currently works as vice president of a large, world-renowned real estate company in Los Angeles called Brookfield Properties.

1. Can you tell us about your career?

TT I’ve been in Corporate America for 15 years.

After graduating from my master’s degree at one of the top business schools, I started my career as a certified public accountant (CPA) specializing in financial audits at Deloitte, an international consulting firm.

In my nine years at Deloitte where I specialized in real estate, I was gradually promoted from Audit Associate to Audit Senior Manager.

I then joined a real estate investment and private equity firm. During my five years at the firm’s Finance and Accounting department, I went from Investment Fund

Controller to Vice President, with a specialized task to oversee the Company’s European investments for two years in Paris, France.

I learned tremendously in this role, which included various business trips with other divisions in Luxembourg and London.

When I came back to the US in 2017, I progressed into a Corporate Accounting role.

At the time, I was ready for the next career challenge, so this led to my current position at Brookfield, a larger global real estate investment firm by August 2018.

At my current position, as a Senior Vice President, Regional Controller, I oversee the Western Region’s accounting and financial reporting of a $4Billion office properties portfolio structured into an investment fund and publicly traded company.

My role is more holistic as I am not only interacting with my Finance and Accounting team but also have a full picture of different functions, namely operations, asset management, construction and leasing. Such widened view of the Western region helps me broaden my knowledge of the entire commercial real estate industry in general and understand the competitive landscape Brookfield is in.

2. Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of?

TT I am most proud of the fact that I can be a good example for my siblings and continue to play a big role in helping them reach their potentials.

My mother had passed away in Kinshasa seven months prior to me coming to the US at the age of 18.

I was young but also knew that I had responsibilities, being raised the eldest. Prior to me coming to the US, my mother had been ill for two to three years before passing and those were extremely difficult and emotional years. During those years, I had precociously assumed the Mom’s role for my siblings.

I did not want to disappoint my younger siblings and my father. Both my parents were medical doctors, so academics were highly

valued and instilled as a priority growing up Despite my mother illness, I studied hard my last year of high school in Kinshasa and graduated at the top of my class.

In fact, in 1997, I was one of the laureates in my Commercial field of study in the city of Kinshasa.

It was bitter sweet because my results were not published until after my mother had passed on. Still, my father made it a point to send me abroad for university.

When I arrived in the US, I was determined to continue making my father proud. I arrived in a house with several other 18 to 24-year-old kids with no parental oversight.

Frankly, when I look back, I see how much of a gamble my father took on me.

He had so much faith in me and that helped me thrive. Since there was not much guidance when I arrived, I had to make a path

for myself to accomplish any goal in mind.

A year after I arrived in Los Angeles, there was more turmoil in the Congo.

I convinced my father to bring my siblings to the US instead of having them stay in boarding schools in Ivory Coast. I was then joined by my siblings who I helped raise.

Two years later, I took on the responsibility of raising my baby sister and two of my younger cousins who arrived in early 2001.

I had to be an example for them and set the standard.

The same year, I graduated from community college with high honors which led me to a full scholarship to complete my bachelor’s degree at University of Southern California (USC), a highly rated private business school.

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This led me to a successful internship with Deloitte, who paid for half of my master’s degree also at USC, and the rest is history.

As much as I gave for my own success, my siblings did not let me down.

dership, personal finance, parenting, etc. I’m a lifelong learner. In addition to books, I’ve found a solid rock in my spiritual life.

I can proudly say that all of them have done well for themselves. My brother is an engineer; I have a sister with a Master of Science Degree in Global Public Health and is currently in the humanitarian field in the DRC; my baby sister has a degree in Communications and is developing a strong career in Hospital Management while starting a family of her own.

Through good and bad times, I have found that verse feed my faith in myself. I know that I am royalty in God’s eyes and it’s comforting.

I’m also very proud of the cousins I helped raise, one is an accountant and the other is a devoted mom, doing a great job raising her young family. Guiding these brothers and sisters is my biggest pride.

3. What was the biggest challenge you ever face?

TT Finding my way has been and is still my biggest challenge.

As stated earlier, there was no path to follow when I arrived in the US. Learning about the “system” and fully integrating into this culture and society was a challenge.

Most importantly understanding what I needed to do academically to reach my professional goals and career aspirations were challenging.

I would not say I did it all by myself as I did get help along the way from my family and mentors but doing so while also raising my siblings was probably the biggest challenge.

4. What did you do to try to solve those challenges on your own?

TT Aside from the family and mentors who coached me, I’m an avid reader. Books are my best friends.

I read a lot of non-fictional books that I find very resourceful about management, lea-

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My favorite verse in the Bible is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

5. Beside your professional life, what do you do or planning to do to inspire and encourage other people in the Congolese community?

TT My plan is to start a career mentoring program for young Congolese.

I see our youth being lost in this country, not knowing what to do in life and settling for the minimum or even when they have ambitions, they do not know the path to take to get there.

This is a great challenge in our community of Congolese immigrants.

credit, investing, etc. With these tools, our community can only get stronger.

Most importantly, us Congolese-American immigrants have no choice but to become successful.

6. What attracted you to this cause?

TT As stated earlier, I wish I had mentors and coaches guiding me in my early years.

I am a steward of what God has given. It’s time to sow and pass on those gifts.

What I know and have experienced might shape someone’s future.

Mentoring leads to healthier lifestyle choices, higher educational aspirations, enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence.

I strongly desire helping young Congolese succeed and if I can, to make a difference in their lives.

7. What do you do to get your message out there?

Similar to my personal experience, I wish I had mentors who would encourage and guide me in my earlier years in this country.

TT The Congolese community in Los Angeles is in the process of being restructured. I am waiting for that vehicle to be in place to best establish my program.

I incidentally heard about the Honors program at my community college that allowed me to get substantial scholarships for my bachelor and master’s degrees.

I am also currently recruiting other Congolese professionals who share this mentoring passion and will be willing to partner with me in this grand cause.

It was by word of mouth that I heard about getting an internship before graduating from college, so my senior year wouldn’t be so stressful.

Our community is rich of successful people who are hungry to give back to the community and guide youngsters but do not know how. I’d like to create that platform.

While I know all this was part of God’s grand plan, it felt like stumbling on Eureka moments, one after another.

8. Is there anything else you would like to share with me?

I was the first in my ways and sometimes made mistakes or wasted time that could have been avoided.

I love guiding people and it’s about time that I start formally giving back to my community.

I also enjoy anything that’s personal finance related.

My goal is to provide quarterly personal finance workshops within the community, educating on debt, budgeting, building

One of my favorite authors said, “Attitude is a choice” and one of my aunts often borrows the quote “Vouloir, c’est pouvoir”.

I believe that with the right mindset, all things are possible, and the sky is the limit.

There is no other country than the US where we can witness the power of such words; it should be aspiring to everyone.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

2. Linda Tappa Daughter of Dr. Roger Tappa, M.D. and Professor Felicite Tappa, Linda is a Cameroonian-American woman who lives the American dream. She comes from a family of six children of which she is the second.

Although she immigrated to the United States at a young age, she believes that her Cameroonian identity is an essential part of who she is.

A fan of the Lakers, Indianapolis Colts, Oregon Ducks and the University of Texas at San Antonio, this young woman with a bright future holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Business Administration and Management from The University of Texas in San Antonio ‘14, and a Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law ‘17.

1. Can you tell us about your career?

LT I am a corporate attorney currently working with the Health and Human Services Commission’s Medical and Social Services Division in its Contract Operations Unit.

Prior to working for HHSC, I worked for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid on the Community building with Attorney Resources team where I assisted low-income individuals start a small business or nonprofit organization that would benefit a low-income community at no cost to the client.

The assistance included educating clients on small business and nonprofit basics, ensuring or getting clients in compliance, and drafting and reviewing corporate documents.

2. How do you define yourself?

LT I am a successful strong, independent, intelligent Cameroonian woman with high ambitions and aspirations for life.

I am family-driven and bound.

I am a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a grandchild, an aunt, a best friend and I strive to uphold each of those titles to the highest esteem.

I am resilient, passionate, persistent, and

above all committed to fulfilling my mission of forging sustainable community and economic development.

3. What do you think are the qualities that women entrepreneurs need to develop to stand out?

LT It is important for women to know and understand that there is and there will always be a stigma about what a woman can accomplish and the true value she contributes.

However, it is equally, if not more, important for women, especially women entrepreneurs, to develop the ability to focus on what they can control and let the rest fall into place.

To do that, women need to be strategic.

Any “Plan A” developed should be accompanied by “Plans B, C, and D” because rarely is Plan A executed as intended.

held high. Finally, to truly stand out, a woman entrepreneur and any entrepreneur for that matter needs to be confident!

The ability to generate passion and excitement for your idea relies solely on your self-confidence.

If you believe, someone else will and that someone may be the one to take you to the next level.

You need to be your own cheerleader from start to finish and everything in between.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

Women need to be tough morally, mentally, and emotionally. There are many psychological, emotional, moral challenges in any endeavor a woman encounters and to be successful, she needs to develop a Teflon skin that prevents negativity from lingering as she navigates her path with her head

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3. Milly Mumba It is without regret that we have turned our backs on the very difficult and uncertain times experienced by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent years. But after those theatrics and rifts, we can only approach this new political era with hope. since it is as absurd as useless to fall into premature and infertile pessimism, we offer you a very inspiring story of this intelligent and courageous young woman who braved fear to be the voice that keeps the conscience of Congolese awake.

Born in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, she’s the last born of Angel Betukumesu and the late Gabriel Mumba Champanga (former Chief Financial Officer of Kilomoto-Okimo and President of Sempya in Kinshasa), Milly Mumba holds a degree in Science information and communication at IFASIC. Although having a bright and promising future, she had a dark and difficult youth when she lost her father when she was only 16 years old.

“The death of my father was the hardest thing in my life, everything had rocked!

The late Gabriel Mumba Champanga: “Milly, I know that after me, things will not be the same, but study and hold your head high ... Above all, do not give up your faith in God.”

These last words that my father told me few hours before his death, always kept my conscience awake and I understood that my faith in God, studies, determination and courage were my golden keys to success. “said this brave Congolese woman while remembering her beloved father.

Grown up in Bandal, one of the hottest neighborhoods in Kinshasa.

Dance, music, style were her marks. While growing up she always had a weakness on everything related to Congolese Culture, that even at her high school “Mgr. Bokeleale Institute” (Lisanga), she often participated in cultural activities. like any ambitious young person, she dreamed of becoming either a stylist, a journalist, or a lawyer, but the journalist’s flames finally prevailed.

Enigmatic as it may be, in December 2014,

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she had a nocturnal vision where a man ordered her to leave the city of Kinshasa for Lubumbashi while she was in charge of the Intercession at the MAPR, a church dear to the Prophet Joel Francis Tatu.

Without hesitation, she was directly convinced that it was a divine institution and she had obeyed it.

Political Journey

munication Unit and Youth Communication Officer PND / Upper Katanga.

Making the former governor of the ex-Katanga province her model, she continued the fight at his side while brave despite the threats of the henchmen of the old regime.

Today she works as an advisor in charge of cultural affairs in the cabinet of Mr. Moise Katumbi.

In early 2016, outraged by the indifference of the former regime to the killings and massacres of Congolese and disgusted by the suffering of the latter, she used her Facebook and Twitter accounts to denounce the injustice and awaken the conscience of the Congolese people.

Milly believes that her appointment to this post is further proof that her model believes in youth and Congolese women for the development of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Her publications were a success and it was the beginning of a real fight against the old power of Kinshasa.

Today back in the land of her ancestors, the great country in the center of Africa after her exile, Milly plans to continue her job to awaken the conscience of the Congolese people.

It was on October 16, 2016 that she was contacted by the Secretary General of the PND, party dear to Salomon SK Della (the Senior Adviser of the former governor of the province of former Katanga, Mr. Moise Katumbi) and appointed her as the Com-

Emmanuel Kalumbata

4. LINDA MAUWA Singer, music entrepreneur and philanthropist, Licelv, whose real name is Linda Mauwa is the only daughter of a family of five of which she is the fourth.

Talented and eager to succeed, she stands out with her angelic voice from a young age and in 2015 she will be crowned Airtel Trace Music Star winner.

Having a strong desire to help the younger generation. In 2017, she launched the “Metamorphozo” concept. This is a clear illustration of the transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly.

This phenomenon of metamorphosis in animal biology, is this time applied in the change of human behavior towards positive values, with the help of musical expression or any form of art.

In short! It is a space for communicating positive values through any form of musical expression, in order to influence the change of human behavior.

In the same way as in animal biology, the caterpillar took the form of the butterfly, in the same way that the artist illustrates the change in human behavior through music.

From the concept, “Metamorphozo” immediately became the mark of the artist, and that will be the title of her first album to be released soon.

In September 2017, the artist created the show “Metamorphozo part 1.

It was a public show of 1h30”, consisting of a dozen songs (from the album Metamorphozo “) performed in Congolese national languages, and in foreign languages, combining music, video and public speaking, around family cohesion.

In January 2018, the show “Metamorphozo part 2 wasborn.

A show of 30 minutes maximum, suitable for showcases, for performing arts professionals.

From the African Performing Arts Market (MASA) in Ivory Coast, to the Visas for Music in Morocco, via the Women’s Voice Fair in Cameroon, and Afropolitain Nomade in Senegal, the singer accompanied by her 4 musicians, does not lack energy or ability to surprise by a fierce complicity with her dancers, singers and instrumentalists the heart and soul.

Anxious to give children a place in her musical universe, and above all to go beyond the stage, as her philosophy so well desires, the artist launched in March 2019, the program “Metamorphozo: a child, a book “.

old. This program consists in transforming their habits and developing a culture oriented towards reading, in peri-urban and rural areas, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This program is not only an awakening for the music, but also and above all an educational Ludo method which arouses the taste of the reading with the children.

Writting team

“Metamorphozo: a child, a book”, is a “perpetual” musical education program for children from 3 to 12 years Awakening Africa Magazine

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5. SINAMANDLA KWEPILE Passionate, creative and optimistic, Sinamandla Kwepile or Sina (as her family and friends likes to call her) is a South African mompreneur with several strings to her bow.

On the other hand, this smart young woman with multiple hats is resolutely positive and committed to excel and strengthen the music industry in South Africa.

Being courageous, persevering and patient, Sina is the woman responsible for the day-to-day running of the Moshito conference and musical exhibition and she directs her strategy and coordinates all the festivities of this great platform.

Moshito Music Conference and Exhibitions is the first event in South Africa dedicated to the music industry. It has positioned itself as a platform for music companies and organizations, small businesses, artists and musicians for music.

Since 2004, the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition has established itself as the premier music industry event in South Africa to broaden the economic intelligence of music industry professionals in Africa, strengthen networks participants and inform delegates, traders and the public about the multiple and dynamic nature of the global music industry.

Sina has represented Moshito in similar markets in Africa and abroad. Under her leadership she expanded the business intelligence of music industry professionals in Africa and strengthened business networks by creating cordial mutual cultural partnerships with other music markets.

6. TENDRESSE SUL The woman committed to training a generation of servant leaders in Africa.

Tender just like her name Tendresse, she stands out from many young women of her generation by raising the bar higher to Motivate and elevate a generation of African leaders in all areas of life.

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1. Can you tell us about your organization?

TS TOUS is the name of our organization and is defined by Together United to Serve.

We offer leadership programs centered on our model who is Jesus Christ.

Our programs consist of missionary travel, volunteer opportunities and projects for African students through partnerships with local organizations.

We bring together students from different congregations and tribes to serve one another for the good of our community.

We believe that ALL students have a unique talent and can bring positive change to their community.

2. Where does this passion come from? What is your end goal?

TS Looking for a better and conducive environment for Africa and seeing that there is still much to be done such as building schools, hospitals and the fight against malnutrition, we have focused on awakening young African students living in the united states because we believe that youth is the future of a nation.

We are confident that this youth will be part of the change, and that’s what really drove and motivated me to create this leadership movement.

Our goal is to enable students to become servant leaders in their communities.

Right now, we work in partnership with local organizations such as Un Geste pour L’HumanitÊ to help build the Mayatima orphanage near Kawama village in Katanga, DRC

FIRST ANNUAL GALA

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7. PRISCILLE DIWA Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Priscille Diwa is a visionary and ambitious young woman.

Being in the final phase of her communications studies at the University of Maryland in the United States, she is focusing on entrepreneurship to become a successful entrepreneur while planning to motivate and advance those behind her.

Having this flame of success shining deep inside her, she combines her studies with little business she runs with her friend.

Her business consist of making alkaline smoothies with donuts and waffles that she sells to students at the University of Maryland.

With a passion for promoting healthy nutrition, she creates healthy smoothie recipes for significant nutritional value.

Ambitious and intelligent as she is, she draws her inspiration from her parents, who have always taught her to not only plan for a week or a month, but to consider her plans and goals for a long run.

Her goal and vision are to have a successful smoothie’s business that takes into account the importance of healthy nutrition.

For her, for women entrepreneurs to stand out, they must be confident and firm while having confidence in their abilities, ideas and judgment, no matter what obstacles they may encounter along the way, while eliminating external noises that do not match their vision, value and character.

8. CHRISTELLE LUYEYE Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Christelle Luyeye, a young woman entrepreneur with multiple hats comes from a family of 7, Today residing in the United States of America, she is the co-founder of Miss Congo USA. Although making America her home country, she is still attached to the country that saw her birth and grow, THE DRC. Believing and wanting to see her beautiful country grow and improve its image, she embarked on charity by creating a non-governmental organization called HANDS OF CONGO. HANDS OF CONGO’s mission is to educate poor children and combat malnutrition.

As the organization is new, today it supports more than 20 children in the DRC by paying their school fees and feeding them and also starts training women in rural areas.

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ECONOMY AND FINANCE GOOD PRACTICES IN COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTING Faced with multiple fiscal and legal constraints, the questions arise: what is the purpose of commercial accounting? What is this about? And what are the stakes?

All these questions lead us to define best practices for good business accounting. Through this activity, the accountant points, classifies and verifies all money movements, financial flows of the company, such as revenues and expenses.

This one draws up a daily and monthly income statement, but also a balance sheet which governs all these revenues realized during the year, in order to define and evaluate the results obtained (to record the transactions relating to the purchase and sale of goods, to establish the spreadsheet and the financial statements of a company, Carry out the regularization and closing entries of a company, explain the application and the accounting of the harmonized sales tax, etc.)

For companies, it is indeed a good management and traceability of revenues and expenses through accounting documents such as invoices, receipts, checkout, etc.

Everything must be clear, because ‘’commercial accounting’’ is one of the pillars of success, stability and sustainability of the company.

How to regulate commercial accounting entry?

The accounting activity is subject, like any commercial management activity, to the commercial code.

But the accountant refers mainly to another, more precise regulation, which is the GCA (General Chart of Accounts). Its role is to determine and enforce accounting standards: the objects of public accounting, its principles, its duties, etc.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accountants are represented by Law No. 15/002 of 12 February 2015, establishing and organizing the National Association

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of Chartered Accountants. This law organizes and sets the rules for the practice of the profession of Chartered Accountant, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 35, 36 paragraphs 5 and 202 points 36 of the Constitution. The purpose of this order is to promote and defend the honor and independence of accountants in DRC. Any company that wants to develop normally, must have an effective accounting and have a Chartered Accountant. When commercial accounting is established within a company, there is confidence that settles with partners, employees, etc.

The attention of every entrepreneur is captured by the tax package.

It is for the accountant to facilitate the declarations that the company is required to honor to the authorities, such as the tax declaration.

Here are some good accounting practices:

1. The chart of accounts or general chart of accounts.

2. The income statement (revenue, sound financial and commercial management) 3. The balance of cash 4. The general ledger 5. Bank reconciliation 6. Amortization of purchases over several Years.

7. Accounting entry at all levels 8. The edition of paystubs 9. Accounting (verification and accounting validation of parts) 10. Budget consolidation.

All companies must organize themselves in terms of accounting, not only to respect the obligations they are subject to but also to know in real time the state and health of its finances.

Raïssa Tshikandama

Economy

DRC

THE ECONOMIC BRAKES TO ERADICATE TO RESTORE THE ECONOMY OF THE DRC The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a vast territory with an area of 2,345,410 km² of which 80 million hectares of arable land, making it the second largest in the world.

It has a river system marked by the majestic Congo River - the second largest river in the world with the largest basin and the largest in Africa by its flow. The country has tropical and temperate climates, with the second largest forest in the world, and a subsoil rich in mineral and energy resources.

Rich in these physical and natural assets, the DRC is nevertheless ranked among the poorest countries with a poor population in the world.

As these macroeconomic indicators show, GDP in PPP $ 68.6 billion (2017, 103rd world ranking), public debt (2017, 192th world ranking) of 18.1% of GDP, imports (2016, 101st world ranking) $18.6 billion, GDP per head in PPP $466, unemployment rate 80%, 168th by its HDI in 2007.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is known as the greatest paradox of humanity. There is therefore a great incompatibility between the natural resource poten- tial and the socio-economic profile of this country.

However, since 2002, the DRC is in a cycle of successive economic growth, but this growth does not impact the standard of living of the populations, hence the big question “What are the obstacles to eradicate in order to restore the DRC economy?”.

1. Unskilled human capital Today it is clear that the development, or economic progress of nations is led by excellent men in their fields; the DRC does not depart from this evidence.

The economic progress of the DRC can only be led by excellent Congolese economists, who can understand the requirements both at the national and international levels to initiate the development of their country.

Thus, the formation of human capital occupies a place of choice in the process of recovery and development. Appropriate health measures and policies where the population is vulnerable to diseases and

epidemics such as malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, Ebola and also in the field of education and research to facilitate access to basic education and research, engines of all progress especially in this 21st century, where the economic debate lies on the possession of technological knowledge having, a profitability superior to the traditional real economy based on the exploitation of wealth natural.

Human capital index (scale between 0 and 1, in 2017) 0.369 - budget share allocated to education and health respectively 11.6% and 7.3% (in 2017) - research and development expenditure 0.02% of GDP (2015).

sive economic growth with spillover effects.

Unfortunately, because of the contribution to the GDP it is the third sector, but which hires more than 70% of the working population.

Relaunching agriculture is imperative to meet local demand for essential food products in order to reduce imports of subsidized manufactured goods, manufactured based on genetically modified or synthetic materials.

The development of agriculture should include related activities such as livestock farming, fishing and agro-industry.

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Economie

DRC 3. Insufficient infrastructure The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has the dimensions of a continent, has the challenge of acquiring the transport and communication infrastructures North-South and East-West. This requirement presents several economic challenges, including support for the development of agriculture and trade, both national and sub-regional.

Facilitating access to modern wireless electronic communication channels remains a challenge; All these challenges have one of the potentials to boost global demand and support economic progress.

4,007 km of rail, 152,373 km of roads, of which only 3,047 km are

paved and 15,000 km of waterways.

These figures represent the network of roads and communication routes in the DRC. But the level of disrepair of these infrastructures is advanced, hence the urgency to invest in this sector.

4. Quality of institutions and rigorous political leadership Corruption and political patronage characterize the management of the Congolese state and have direct effects on the effectiveness of public finances and the private sector.

Public enterprises are the sites of misappropriation and accumulation of wage arrears, all of which have an impact on social living standards and

macroeconomic performance. Corruption sinks and oozes state revenues, lack of policy to promote private initiatives, which explains the lack of innovation by start-ups.

It is therefore appropriate to establish visionary and enlightened leadership in order to reverse the trend.

These are the few economic obstacles, that must be eradicated in order to restore the DRC’s economy. These brakes are bonded and self-maintenance. By eradicating, some of the other ones that are just corollaries will dissipate.

The new government will have work to do.

Cynthia Samba Mudikal

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO : VICTIM OR BENEFICIARY OF HIS COBALT?

Cobalt is a mineral that is totally part of human life. The whole world is looking for this ore of importance. It is used in the manufacture of the necessary elements for life, including smartphones and many others that we use daily.

Currently, many countries are producing gasoline and diesel ve-

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hicles. France and Britain have recently announced their intention to turn to electric vehicles, for which Cobalt is at the center of the development of this industry by 2040. This situation places cobalt and its producing countries at the center of political, economic and environmental issues.

Because this metal enters with the lithium, in the composition of the lithium batteries of electric cars as in those of the smartphones.

which denounces these deplorable conditions in which children work, it is reported among other things, that dug wells are often deeper than the legal standard of 30 meters.

They sometimes go down to 60 or 70 meters without any protection. A fact that led to the death of several people during the last landslides observed during this year 2019.

Cobalt and the automotive industry of tomorrow Some statistics indicate that the global market for lithium-ion batteries is expected to increase from 24 billion euros in 2015 to 61 billion by 2024, while electric vehicles account for half of world sales by 2050.

The culpable silence of the multinationals who buy these products from the artisanal base, represents facts which contributes to the destabilization of the prices of these strategic raw materials to the detriment of the country. This is decried, but unfortunately without any impact until then.

Being the fourth largest producer after Finland, Russia and Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo wants to take advantage of this situation. Thus, it declared cobalt as a strategic mineral in December 2018, thus revising its mining royalty rate of 3 to 10% under the new Congolese mining code.

But we must recognize that currently, the exploitation of cobalt in Congo-Kinshasa poses many ethical problems. Child labor in quarries is one of the illustrations.

What about the protection of the child?

With 50.8% of the world’s reserves, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the envy of many industrialized countries in search of this precious material, not only for the automotive industry, but also for smartphones.

Children in the mines It is appropriate to note the bitter fact made on the ground. More than 20% or a fifth of the production of this metal is insured in the DRC by artisanal operations, and labor is recruited most often among children.

These children extract cobalt with rudimentary tools, meaning bare and unprotected hands.

According to some non-governmental organizations, such as Amnesty International,

Article 32 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is clear on this point: “the child must be protected against economic exploitation, and not be subjected to any work that entails risks, or is likely to compromise his education, or to impair its physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.

Cobalt and Congolese youth Starting from this situation, the Congolese State has the obligation to pull itself together to restore some order in this sector of cobalt exploitation. The order could consist of taking the minors (under 18 years old) out of the mines to introduce young people of working age.

Indeed, it is not a secret that thousands of young people dumped on the job market each year by universities have neither the skills required nor the ease of finding a job, which justifies much delinquency juvenile,

and the continued impoverishment of the population.

The Congolese State would therefore make a useful contribution by providing many unemployed young people, through vocational training schools in the handling of this metal.

Things would be better if the State also put in place the infrastructure needed for the processing of cobalt, and many other minerals available to our rich country. It is known to everyone, that once extracted cobalt, or other raw materials from the DRC are processed outside, which is a huge shortfall for the country.

As an African proverb says: ‘The old man warms himself with the wood harvested in his youth’. The fruit of the work of the current Congolese youth, the DRC’s future of development is already determining a large part of its future.

Training a local workforce for the extraction and processing of our minerals would also prepare our future.

Congolese youth is the strength of the country’s development.

We believe that it is possible to take the Congo to the time of innovation without restraint, because many talents sleep for lack of support and pleasant working conditions.

Prisca IKETE

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Economy

DRC

RWANDAIR IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

On April 17, 2019, a Rwandan Boeing 737 landed on Congolese soil via Ndjili International Airport. This is the inaugural flight of the Rwandair airline on the Kigali-Kinshasa route.

This is one of the results, it has been said, of bilateral cooperation between the Rwandan and Congolese governments.

The opening of the air route will once again strengthen diplomatic ties, and economic exchanges between the two countries, which fought a merciless war in the center of Africa a few years ago.

as a result of its pricing policy deemed exorbitant, even when these flights are within the DRC. The majority argue that it is inconceivable for a foreign airline to offer more affordable fares than the local airline.

Here, travelling within the country can be more expensive with the local airline than with Rwandair, whereas this one only connects Kinshasa to Kigali.

“When I am in Kinshasa, says Laetitia Kasongo, a Congolese woman living in Goma, to return to my city, I prefer to take a flight to Rwanda and

Founded in 2002, it has its headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda, with fleet size 12 and 24 international destinations slightly more than the famous Congolese national airline. Congo Airways has a fleet size of 4, and destinations do not exceed 12 countries internationally.

from there, access to Goma by the border. All expenses will be less than what I will have to pay for taking a direct flight from Kinshasa to Goma with Congo Airways.”

After the inaugural flight of Rwandair, social networks have been invaded by comments from Internet users, who for the most part have focused on the difference in flight prices between this airline, that is taking its first steps in the DRC and the local airline Congo Airways.

The other factor of choice is the safety and order of international travel compared to local travel.

As a result, there is not a lot of risk of losing luggage even worse, the risk of being disembarked, supposedly, when a delegation from the national or provincial government has just requisitioned the aircraft in an emergency.

More serious, some Internet users and many others have not hesitated to attack by violent words, or insults to the Congolese company on its own Facebook page

The same thing is happening in the other direction.

Many Goma-

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traciens now prefer to pay the fees at the DRC-Rwanda border to take a flight from Kigali to Kinshasa, that is not only less expensive, save controversial taxes in DRC, called Go pass and another one that cost $55 paid to the RVA and the Province respectively.

It is therefore established that in the eastern part of the DRC, Rwandair has become the main competitor of the local company which is still struggling to expand.

Created on August 15, 2014, Congo Airways launched its inaugural flight on October 20, 2015, succeeding Congolese Airlines of sad memories Until then, it is important to recognize that the company is still dragging its feet, leaving a lot of places for foreign companies at the risk of being on the ground one day at a time.

WILL COMPETITION FORCE CONGO AIRWAYS TO REVIEW ITS TARIFFS? For the moment, some Congolese, while being cautious, are more in favor of the competition that has developed.

Rwandair arrives with tough competition, which is a good thing according to Kakel Mbumb, an agricultural entrepreneur who is passionate about travel.

For him, competition will lead to improved services, and a likely revision of the local company’s rates.

At the same time this new adventure could be a possible source of lost entries for the cash registers of the DRC, to the advantage of Rwanda, because the customers

will surely follow the company that offers good conditions at a good price market.

Compared to telecommunications or mining companies, air transportation is almost completely untapped in the DRC according to Kakel Mbumb.

The political climate, and the conditions for business creation are not conducive to young entrepreneurs in this sector. He went on to say, that the fact that the country has 3 international airports is a good thing, but that up to now its benefits foreigners more than nationals.

We can look at the positive side of foreign companies, which promote job creation on a certain scale. Unfortunately, is not significant compared to the demand for jobs in the country.

Only a few people manage to make their way in this world like Gueda Amani Yav, the first female pilot recruited by Congo Airways who launched her business aviation company, Mwant Jet Sarl with a Hawker 850 XP for flights for VIP customers, that connects the city of Kinshasa to Lubumbashi in two hours and Kinshasa-Johannesburg in three and a half hours.

Cynthia Samba Mudikal

THE NEW BREATH OF AFRICAN BANKS After difficult years, marked by the decline of the major African economies, the top 200 African banks have recently returned to double-digit growth.

Their combined balance sheets posted the strongest growth of the decade, with an increase of 18.7% to nearly $1.747 billion.

Their revenues have increased by $10 billion in one year, also the largest increase in 10 years.

The profits were over $25 billion.

The underperformance of Nigerian banks is driving all West Africa down from 14% to 12.3% of the cumulative balance sheet.

Central Africa, mired in an economic crisis in recent years, is now falling below 1% of the total.

However, the banks’ performance in local currency is much better. Falling prices for almost all African commodities, and devaluations in some of Africa’s largest markets have hurt bank’s performance in dollar terms. If you don’t consider currency fluctuations, the situation is not that bad.

Southern Africa tops the list At the regional level, the dominance of southern Africa is confirmed, with 51% of the cumulative balance sheet now, compared to 47% last year. North Africa confirms its second-place ranking, retaining 30% of the sector’s financial assets.

We classify banks according to Tier 1 capital, which gives a better idea of their soundness than other indicators.

or simply the South Africa’s entity whose funds are slightly above $6 billion.

The South African giants continue to dominate, and in recent years there has been a decline in the number of African banks with capital in excess of $1 billion.

The supremacy of South African banks is not solely due to the size of the country’s economy, and the development of its banking sector.

This is also the result of the domination of a few banks in this market.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

Standard Bank Group (Stanbank) remains at the top of the rankings, whether you look at the group (with Tier 1 capital of $11 billion, more than double its closest rival),

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Culture and Arts

History

HISTORY, TRADITIONS, MYTHOLOGY, LEOPARD EMBLEM AND SYMBOL IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

At the time of the promulgation of the Constitution of the Third Republic, the transitional parliament resulting from the Sun City agreements, adopted the head of the leopard as one of the heraldic attributes of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In European civilization, the coat of arms is part of the culture of a country; they represent the history of the country. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the national coat of arms, struck by the leopard, recall the importance of an animal that has always symbolized the power of the chief guarantor, and protector of the country’s fundamental values.

The territory of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo is largely derived from the ancient Kingdoms and Empires, that existed in the center of Africa before the Berlin Conference of 1885, which consecrated the division of Africa.

One of these Kingdoms is the Kongo Kingdom. Kongo with the root “Ngo” means “Leopard” in one of the Congolese national languages, the kikongo.

“We go to the leopard” translated by “Tuele ku ngo” into kikongo, is the phrase where the shortcut Ku-Ngo where Kongo was taken.

The leopard is considered in Congolese mythology to be a protective leader of the kingdom. In case of danger, the population had only one refuge: the leopard.

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far from other predators, a prey whose size is 2 to 3 times larger than its size.

The leopard is a stealth predator, a crafty animal that crawls as close to its prey, before jumping on it and killing it with a bite on the neck.

In addition to be an excellent runner, a perfect climber and a good jumper, he has an athlete’s body, a royal walk and a beautiful sacred skin in the Bantu tradition. He possesses the qualities required for a customary leader: the protector and the defender.

The leopard is also a sign of power thus, to approve their detention of traditional power and legitimize their authority, among the TETELA (one of the tribes in the South-Central Democratic Republic of Congo).

On the day of his inauguration, the chief received several insignia in connection with

the sacred animal, including a leopard skin cap, leopard skin, a necklace from the animal’s teeth and a spear.

After becoming aware of what the “Ngo” represented in the customs and traditions of the country, the President of Zaire in 1966 made of the hat of Leopard the presidential hood, symbol of his omnipotence and his power.

The former Chadian President François N’Garta Tombalbaye, fascinated by the character of Mobutu, made this headdress a feature of his policy of recourse to authenticity.

Moreover, this hat has become an element of recognition to the aristocracy Mobutist.

But after Mobutu’s death, the leopard toque regained its original meaning, that of being an ancestral ornament symbolizing the royalty and power of the customary chiefs.

Central in the history of the country as in the life of the Congolese, the leopard represents for much more than a simple emblem or national symbol.

It is a source of common pride, beauty and strength through, which all Congolese want to recognize themselves. The symbol of the Leopard is. thus deeply inscribed in the bantu subconscious.

In Kasai, for example, the great chiefs are called “Mukalenga wa Nkashama” translated by Master Leopard.

The Panthera Pardus still enjoys an exceptional status among the many animals that populate the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a proof, leopard hunting is officially prohibited in Congolese territory.

In sports, the animal that has very often represented the national football team is the leopard. We see it in Zaire under the reign of Mobutu.

This name came back in 2006 with former president Joseph Kabila. The Leopard, the totem animal, represented for Marshal Mobutu the strength and power, that should

bring fruit to the players on the field.

Giant in the heart of Africa which, according to Frantz Fanon, has the shape of a revolver, the D.R. Congo would be the trigger of the black continent, but it does not yet shine in its full scope.

He must show the power of the leopard in the forest. The Congo must rise in the heights as an emerging nation to the way its totem animal climbs very high into the tree.

Prisca IKETE

SPIRITUALITY TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIONS In 1866, returning from the Upper Nile, Sir Samuel Baker declared : : “None of the races of the Nile Basin, without exception, possess a belief in a Supreme Being or any form of worship or idolatry; the darkness of their minds is not even illuminated by a ray of superstition.

They are as stagnant as the marshes that melt their cramped world.”...

The word “religion” refers to a set of beliefs and dogmas that define man’s relationship with the sacred.

a link remains between the peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa and their respective traditional religions.

The traditional religion of a people reflects its way of thinking, its beliefs, its cultural values and thus the meaning of its life.

Upon their arrival on the African continent, the Westerners observed a spirituality that was well present in the customs, which they described as «pseudo-religion».

It is reflected in the daily life of the people through its symbols, its gestures, its objects, its rites and ceremonies, its myths.

The culture of the African people is the mirror of the latter. African religions cannot be dissociated from African culture.

Despite the effects of modernity and the undeniable influence of Western religions,

In the context of the expansion of Western religions and the total domination of African societies, the European missionaries decided to reduce this spirituality to animism so that the expression «African religion» still surprises the masses. African religions are not limited to animism.

book Impact of African Religion on Africa Today: Latency and Patience: “…

African religion does not exist anywhere, but it is everywhere, in consciences, in spiritual or empirical operations, in representations, in attitudes, in gestures, in proverbs, in legends, in the myths— It is everywhere, in the countryside as in the city, in court trials and political conventions…”

It is important for Africans to study their traditional religions to better understand their history. writing team

As the writer Gérard BUAKASSA said in his

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Culture and Arts

Music

POET LUTUMBA A flame lit in the afterlife

“Mabele, soso eleli soso eko lela ngoya, sima ya a mué ngonga tongo eko tana…” Mabele, title of the song of the Poet LUTUMBA, means LAND. The Land that saw him born in 1938 and saw him give his best in the Congolese music and act in the intellect and conscience of its fellow citizens. Poignant, prophetic and moralistic words, he quotes the rooster, symbolizing the time of awakening.

Time when we are supposed to go to work. This moment when man resumes life after a moment of vulnerability in his sleep. On his awakening he faces again the daily vicissitudes of life and there we see some finding themselves in joy and others in sadness.

Lutumba Simaro known as MASIYA (The Messiah), has largely deserved the lavish funeral reserved for him after his death.

Among all the Congolese musicians, he was one of the best composers, lyricists.

Guitarist of charm, the multitude of his songs were composed, arranged and accompanied by himself and the song entrusted in general to the vocal of one of the best artists of the country that he selected for the cause.

LUTUMBA lived as a simple, humble man, faithful to his principles and commitments.

He is almost the only Congolese musician artist who has never strayed from the path of virtue, loyalty and moralization of the community.

This flame lit in the afterlife will never cease to inspire generations and generations because its pure music, educational, recreational will remain eternal.

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One of the flagships of modern Congolese music, these remarkable works have always been permanent successes since the 1960s.

Even today’s teenagers are humming the songs of the artist composed more than 30, 40, or even 50 years ago.

Moralist, LUTUMBA was. Each stanza of his songs constitutes a cliché, what do I say? A picture that freezes crucial events in the life of man. As he says in his song MABELE or NTOTU (meant by Earth), man invented a weapon to kill man, but never succeeded in making one that can kill the truth!

One of the expressions of his songs such as: “Bougie ekotangisaka mpinzoli po na pasi…” , Read: A candle sheds tears of suffering to illuminate, reminds us that today our hearts shed tears of suffering when it was extinguished, but we are filled with joy for the work done during its lifetime.

It is necessary to live well at the limit of his means, he said in his song AFFAIRE

KITIKWALA (seat of rest, where he interprets humans on their lifestyles), including an excerpt: “Ba Koko ba loba boye, na la vie ba loba boye yeba talo ya mbissi tango papa azali na bomoyi, yeba talo ya kwanga tango maman azali na bomoyi po lobi bako kufa…” ; He warns the youth through this song to learn and be responsible while their parents are still alive so they can take charge when they are no longer there.

Flame extinguished in the living world, flame kindled in that of our ancestors and flame blazing in that of the future!

Ariana Tongota

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo taken by Emmanuel Kalumbata

PHOTOGRAPHY IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE PHOTOGRAPHY

The photographic revolution is underway, and it is time to adapt.

“It is time to stop talking about photography. It is not that photography is dead, as many have said, but it is gone.”

Said Stephen Mayes, Managing Director of the Tim Hetherington Trust.

A revolution is on and we must adapt. For this, he recommends not only to speak of photography in new terms, but also to think differently and to use it differently.

If, for the moment, the builders are still trying to imitate traditional photography and

the speeches present the image again and again as the objective recording of the real, Stephen Mayes believes that the future of photography will be built without his conventional practice.

Today’s visual culture goes far beyond “simple documentation”, and this is just the beginning.

Photography is not yet in its adulthood because the possibilities are far from having been explored.

Its future lies in the accessibility of data, the development of apps, software and emerging technologies (virtual reality, artificial in-

telligence...) that make the computer imagination almost unlimited.

So, it’s not the photographers, it’s not the camera manufacturers who are behind this revolution, but the telephony engineers.

Some are concerned about this development and denounce its dangers, such as the excessive manipulation and retouching of images, a recurring debate in the press.

But this revolution, whether with or without photographers, will nevertheless make it possible to increase content and develop more complex narratives, which will be used in particular to build better journalism.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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Photographer from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ANASTASIE LANGU LAWINNER studied in private and judicial law at the Protestant University of Congo (UPC).

Falling under the spell of photography, she decided to change her path to follow her new passion.

Being new in the world of photography, she received a one month training at Shaw Academy to master her camera in manual mode, which will become her precious jewel.

Intelligent, creative, poetic, instinctive, revolting and electric in her work, she exteriorizes her heart, her feelings, her desire to talk about what is bothering or not, the moments of her repressed past also photographic series around colonization, human mobility and the marginalization of women.

Doing her works with great passion and being inspired by great photographers such as Misha Gordin, Ayana Jackson, Kiripi, George Senga, Samy Boloji, Joana Choumali and Michele Magema, Anastasie follows her own artistic approach by distinguishing herself from other independent photographers.

She has been providing professional photography services for three years in her visual communication agency called Anas Vision.

Passionate about photography, she strive to promote the Art in the DRC and the rest of Africa and works as the national president of an African federation on photographic Art.

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Journey and achievements 2019 : selected for the contemporary fair at Doual’Art 2018 : Exhibition Megalopolis “the voices of Kinshasa” at Grassi’s Museum in Leipzig, Germany from November 30 to March 30, 2019 Curators: Freddy Tsimba and Eddy Ekete 2018 : “Woman Power” exhibition at bandjoun station in Cameroon November 16, 2018 - June 2019 Curators: carine djuidje and Alicia Knock 2018 : selected by the program SPARK FOR A BRIGE (Artistic residence) - A support program for young Congolese artists comfortable giving space and materials 2018 : Residence and exhibition at the RIAC meeting interna Contemporary Art Festival 7th Edition From September 3 - 23, 2018 from Brazzaville 2018 : Master Art 3rd Edition Kin Art Studio From May 25 - 03 June 2018 - International Artists and Artists Residency Program

(Organized by Barthélémy Toguo and Vitshois Mwil ambwe Bondo)

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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Science

Discovery

5 REVELATIONS ABOUT HUMAN BRAIN The brain is a complex organ that we only use 10%!

Advances in technology and science have led to new discoveries that have led to a better understanding of how it works and to the development of medical techniques to better treat it.

Beyond all the possibilities of this formidable organ, 5 small revelations about the human brain fascinated us. We share them with you!

1. The brain grows up to 25 years The brain is a complex organ. It develops from the first month of pregnancy with the appearance of the first neuron.

After each second, 3000 neurons are created. After 6 months, the fetus recognizes a few syllables of his mother’s language.

From 0 to 1 year, the limbic system develops (the zone of emotions: crying, anger, love, etc.). The baby is also stimulated with words.

During adolescence and puberty, two zones come into conflict: the prefrontal cortex (the decision-making zone) and the limbic system.

Then between the ages of 18 and 25, thinking takes precedence over emotions.

At 25, the brain is adult and at the top of its ability

2. The brain is not the source of emo tions The brain is not the master of all our reactions. In the beginning, scientists opposed reasoning with emotion. However, it was subsequently demonstrated that these two areas are complementary.

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pend on our brain and we can see it with the case of reflexes: when we place a hand on a very hot surface, we remove it immediately. It’s the spinal cord, not the brain, that sent a message to the muscles because we have sensors all over the body.

They tell us that the surface on which we laid our hand is too hot.

For some sensations, it is the organs that react and then the brain that synthesizes all the information.

So, if a person is stressed, they will feel a contraction in their intestine and the brain will pick up the information and react accordingly.

3. The belly is our second brain Our belly is the home to a nervous system that resembles that of the brain.

That is why it is called the “second brain”.

The digestive system is ahead of the brain: during the development of the fetus, it is ready first because it ensures the development of the whole body.

The two nervous systems are thus intimately linked.

They communicate through the vagus nerve (information flows from the nervous system of the brain into the belly)

and blood (information is sent from the belly to the brain).

80% of messages occur in the belly and then go into the brain. This is how we realize that we are hungry, ill or satisfied.

4.The brain is malleable Whatever the activity is, if it is practiced regularly the brain will change to accelerate the exchange of information. This is the case of gifted children.

After a year of practice, the brain begins to evolve.

The brain then adapts its structure because repeating the movements changes the way neurons function: gestures become automatic when neuronal pathways become more structured and information circulates faster.

This is how certain areas of the brain become larger than others. The cerebellum works on speed and the corpus callosum allows synchronization of the right and left side.

These two parts of the brain then transmit more messages.

5. The brain is paralyzed in case of danger

Science

Discovery

In case of danger, the different parts of the brain compete. They have the same goal: to survive. Some activities are then temporarily paralyzed for the benefit of others.

Part of our brain analyzes the information coming from our environment and the other part is connected to the body and its sensations. These two parts are complementary but most of the time they clash. We are then hostage to our emotions in dangerous situations.

Heracleion A CITY DISCOVERED UNDER WATER AFTER 1500 YEARS.

The city of Heracleion was submerged underwater 1500 years ago.

This great city had been mentioned by the Greek writer Herodotus, a historian of the fifth century before our era.

When the French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio stumbled on relics in 2000, they led him to one of the greatest discoveries of the 21st century: an underwater city.

Goddio was looking for Napoleon’s warships during the Battle of the Nile in 1798 when he made this discovery.

Heraclion is an ancient city of ancient Egypt, located near Aboukir.

It was discovered in 1992 with Canope, the neighboring city, engulfed in the bay of Aboukir, during the underwater archaeological

excavations led by Franck Goddio.

The ancient Egyptian city Heracleion finally begins to reveal its history. Its existence suggested that this city was one of the main Egyptian ports for maritime traffic from the Greek world. Idea confirmed by the elements found on the site.

This city was founded in the 8th century BC, well before the foundation of the mythical Alexandria in -331 BC, before being completely submerged by the Mediterranean 1200 years ago.

After this event, it was almost impossible to find written records of the existence of this city, called Thonis, in the rare Greek testimonies of the time.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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REPORT SOME IMAGES OF THE PASSAGE OF THE FIRST LADY OF DRC IN THE USA

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REPORT FALLY IPUPA IN “AMERICA SUMMER TOUR 2019 Nobody is unaware that, if there is a Congolese artist very much in demand in the musical world, currently it is none other than the one called El Profesor, Dicaprio La Merveille, Fally Ipupa , the man on the agenda very overloaded.

The “Control” man has performed in more than 10 American cities. He began his tour on July 05, 2019 in Edmonton, Canada. He then traveled to Montreal and Toronto on July 6 and 7, 2019.

It is in the USA that the King of Congolese music Fally Ipupa continued his “America Summer Tour”.

His first concert in America was on July 12 at Apollo Theater, the legendary showroom in Harlem, New York.

July 13 in the capital Washington DC at Howard Theater and July 14 at Duke Progressive. Theater in Raleigh.

He continued with a series of concerts in Portland (Aura), Dallas (Lava Catina) and Manson Elan in Atlanta on July 19, 20 and 21, 2019.

It’s in San Francisco that He closed his American tour in Slim’s Hall on July 28 after his concert at Moonvilly Highscool in Phoenix on July 27, 2019.

Its Without doubt, that no Congolese artist has ever made such a tour of North America since Luambo Makiadi’ time.

Emmanuel Kalumbata

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Pictures taken by Emmanuel Kalumbata

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