Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Papa Wemba Awarded Highest National Honor as Thousands Pay Tribute

Radio Okapi - May 2, 2016
Joseph Kabila during the ceremony honoring Papa Wemba
Joseph Kabila during the ceremony honoring Papa Wemba | Enlarge
President Joseph Kabila has posthumously awarded Papa Wemba the title of Grand Officer of the National Order. The iconic Congolese musician died on Sunday while performing in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

“We elevate you posthumously to the rank of Grand Officer of the National Order of the Kabila-Lumumba national heroes for your merits, and your loyal and distinguished services to the Congolese nation,” Joseph Kabila said during an official ceremony honoring Papa Wemba on Monday, May 2 at the People's Palace in Kinshasa.

Several authorities, including the presidents of both houses of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and members of the government, attended the ceremony.

In his address during the ceremony, Minister of Culture Banza Mukalay proposed that April 24 (the day Papa Wemba died) be proclaimed a national day for Congolese music.

He also announced that the Congolese government was going to propose to UNESCO that Congolese rumba be added on the world intangible cultural heritage list.

The representative of Congolese musicians, Nyoka Longo, and a daughter of Papa Wemba also spoke.

After the laying of wreaths, Papa Wemba remains were taken to the Molokai village, in the Matonge district, where his bands were based.

Papa Wemba’s funerals will continue on Tuesday. He will be buried in Kinshasa on Wednesday.


Related articles


  1. Felix Tshisekedi Sworn In as DR Congo President (January 24, 2019)
  2. Constitutional Court Declares Tshisekedi Winner of Presidential Election (January 19, 2019)
  3. Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
  4. Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
  5. DR Congo Delays Results of December Election (January 6, 2019)
  6. Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
  7. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  8. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  9. Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
  10. DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
  11. Papa Wemba Is Buried in Kinshasa (May 4, 2016)
  12. Iconic Congolese Musician Papa Wemba Dies at 66 (April 24, 2016)
  13. Rights Groups: DR Congo Must Free Pro-democracy Activists (April 13, 2015)
  14. Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
  15. Etienne Tshisekedi Evacuated to Belgium for Medical Treatment (August 16, 2014)
  16. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  17. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  18. DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
  19. DR Congo Honors Nelson Mandela, Hero and Model for Humanity (December 6, 2013)
  20. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  21. DR Congo Eases Process for Starting a New Business (June 3, 2013)
  22. Regional Leaders Sign DR Congo Peace Deal (February 24, 2013)
  23. The M23 Rebels Want to Overthrow Kabila? Nonsense (November 28, 2012)
  24. Protests Against M23 Rebels, Government and UN Spread (November 22, 2012)
  25. Thousands Protest M23 Capture of Goma, Turn on Government and UN (November 21, 2012)
  26. DR Congo Officials Vow to Defend Goma Against M23 Rebels (November 19, 2012)
  27. At high-level meeting, Ban urges political solution to crisis in eastern DR Congo (September 27, 2012)
  28. US Cuts Military Aid to Rwanda Over Support to Rebels in DR Congo (July 21, 2012)
  29. DR Congo, Rwanda Sign Pact to Fight Rebels in Eastern Congo (July 15, 2012)
  30. Police Investigate Former Prime Minister for Corruption (May 14, 2012)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.