Undoubtedly, Congolese have music in their blood; and it is one of the arts through which they've come to best express their outstanding creativity.

Congo Love: Simaro Massiya Lutumba - Testament Ya Bowule

The Legend of an African Music Giant: Franco Luambo Makiadi' s Revolution In Music: Franco pioneered and popularized Rumba style in the 1950’s, 1960's, 1970’s and 1980's.

"The African Music Giant" well known as Franco Luambo Makiadi was one of the most celebrated and innovative African musicians in the history of 20th century music in Africa. With a career that lasted about 4 decades, Franco Luambo Makiadi truly was bigger than life, inspirational, revolutionary and iconic throughout the continent.

The Legend of an African Music Giant: Franco Luambo Makiadi' s

On this episode of Congolive, we were blessed to have with us in the studio a very special guest, Nzanga Mobutu, the son of the late Congolese president Mobutu Sese Seko.

Being in the public life since birth, Nzanga took us on a journey to get a glimpse of his life as a political leader, an art collector and a father.

Bio
Nzanga Mobutu is the oldest surviving son of the former Congolese president Mobutu Sese Seko. Born on March 24, 1970 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nzanga was educated in Belgium during his elementary and high school years. He graduated from Collège Saint-Vincent de Soignies with concentration in Economy. 

He received a degree in Arts and Sciences with concentration in Communications from Université de Montréal. He also received a degree in International Relations from American University in Paris.

His political career started in 1996 as the communications adviser of the Executive Office of the President in the last days of the Mobutu Regime. He founded the political party UDEMO in 2006. That same year, he ran as a candidate in the Presidential Elections and placed fourth, with about 4.8% of the vote.

He served in the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo under President Joseph Kabila from 2007 to 2011 as the Deputy Prime minister, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare. In November 2010, he walked away from his ministerial position given the long crisis between himself and President Kabila around transparency in government's affairs.

Nzanga Mobutu is married to his childhood friend and sister of Jean Pierre Bemba, Catherine Bemba.They are parents to three beautiful children.

A passionate of art, movies and politics, Nzanga loves to play soccer and tennis. Lately, he has become a fan of American basketball.

The Legacy of Zaire - A conversation with Nzanga Mobutu

PAPA WEMBA! Congo Live pays tribute to a Congolese icon and the "King of Rumba", musical pioneer Papa Wemba.

Learn about the impact of his music world wide, his innovative rhythms and sounds that set the stage for a new era in the time of Zaire to what we know now as The Democratic Republic of Congo. May your soul rest in peace. 

TRIBUTE TO PAPA WEMBA!

Dr. Tongele N.Tongele, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a reknown scientist. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering. And teaches mechanical engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwarsville and The Catholic University of America.

In his recent book, “Rise and Shine: Resilient People and Immense Resources in the Shadow of Death”, Dr. Tongele lays out a vision that includes concrete ideas, proposals and steps the DRC can take immediately for a transformational renaissance that utilizes the enormous natural and human resources of the country to bring lasting peace and eradicate poverty in the DRC, and become producer and exporter of goods, services, clean energy and green technologies.


Congo’s Role in Saving Planet Earth A conversation with Dr. Tongele

Congo Live interviews Michel Dzaringa, a member of the US military, a father and a Congolese American leader striving to inspire Congolese youth to take control of their country’s destiny. 

Mr. Michel Dzaringa is currently serving as a reservist in the Maryland National Guard 244th Engineering Company and pursuing his education in Public Safety Administration at the University of Maryland. He has over 4 years of experience as a chemical biological, radiological nuclear and explosive specialist.

He is the founder and Executive Director of Africa United/Congo United, exploring better ways to promote African Leadership Development and build value.

Mr. Dzaringa frequently speaks at and attends leadership events, sharing his passion for all things related to African Leadership development. His passion for leadership development stems from living in his war-torn native country the Democratic Republic of Congo and experiencing the negative consequences of what poor leadership can do to a nation.

A life of service and leadership in the face of adversity: Michel Dzaringa

Our #CongoLive guest for this episode is Samuel Yagase, a community leader in Isangi, a town northeast of Congo. He shared with us how his community is organized for self-sufficiency right in the heart of Africa.

This show aired on December 10, 2016.

Bio
Samuel Yagase is a key player in mobilizing rural communities for local development mainly in Tolaw, Isangi Territory, Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He is the founder of the the organization GOVA (Group of Village Organizations for Self- development ) that works on promoting local initiatives and leadership. He is very committed to improving matters related to local governance in the DRC.  He is interested in fighting against injustice (especially traditional customs that discriminate against women) and fighting for the promotion of human rights.

He works on promoting dialogue and collaboration between the two medicines (Traditional and Modern ). He is the initiator of the Solidarity Fund for the fight against sleeping sickness in Isangi. For Samuel, development aid has virtually failed. It is in the process of reviewing, with his group, the perception of aid by paying more attention to local assets, helping the population to be the masters of its situation by mastering its agenda that Samuel sees lasting solutions for change in the DRC.

Congo Live

Samuel Yagase: Building Self-Sufficient Communities

Congolive is a weekly radio show, providing listeners with views and news from the richest and mostly forgotten country in the heart of Africa showcasing the cultural strengths and beauty of Congolese people revealing the richness of the land and its people.

The show is aired on WOL Baltimore, every saturday (1 pm Central, 2 pm Eastern - US time). It is hosted by Patricia Lokwa and Kambale Musavuli. #CongoLive.

Call-in details: +1 410-481-1010
Toll-free Call-In: +1 877-704-1010

Samuel Yagase: Building Self-Sufficient Communities

Congo Live

Related tracks