Top 10 Congolese Celebrity Social Justice Stories Since 2020

In the face of conflict raging in the Congo in which a majority of the rest of the world remains complicit, the intersection of popularity, activism, and conflict has become a positive space for social justice. Although Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian agencies have attempted to help Congolese nationals amidst social, political and economic conflict, some Congolese celebrities have taken up the job to address social justice issues and propel a shift in thinking that will lead directly to structural change.

These agents of change have made a huge difference. Here are top 10 Congolese social justice stories since 2020.

Anita Mvuemba

Anifa is a 30-year-old fashion designer and creator and founder of the women’s apparel fashion brand known as Hanifa. Her brand has been worn by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Issa Rae, and Tracee Ellis Ross. Aside from her creativity and artistic expressing through fashion, Mvuemba has made a name for herself by leading an independent black brand that is committed to featuring primarily black and brown models. Hanifa also offers inclusive sizing from 0 to 20.

While the rest of the world was in lockdown on May 22, 2020, Mvuemba premiered her Spring Summer 2020 collection; Pink Label Congo through an innovative digital show. Aside from the strikingly beautiful, feminine and timeless pieces, she dedicated r\the show to her Congolese Heritage. The show touched on important issues the Congo such as the mining of Cobalt and how it is illegally being sold through the black market.

Before showcasing her work on the virtual fashion show, Mvuemba’s audience watched a mini documentary about the Democratic Republic of Congo moments before the show began. The clips of news articles about Cobalt mines appeared on the screen. Viewers learned that over 60% of the world’s cobalt comes from Congo, and that many children and adults face oppression while toiling in the sweltering heat for little wages each day.

For years, people from Congo have been feeling oppressed and media outlets do not cover these stories about illegal child labor and the abuse of power. With her platform, Anifa hopes to help other people around the world see that they are a part of the problem.

Serge Ibaka

The cholera, Ebola, and measles outbreaks claimed the lives of numerous Congolese people, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Democratic republic of Congo was struggling to contain and control the disease. Over ¾ of the country’s population live in poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult reality for many to face. 

In May 2020, Serge Ibaka launched a COVID-19 relief program that would provide help to Congolese nationals affected economically by the Pandemic. The Serge Ibaka Foundation with the help of the BUROTOP Iris foundation has helped over 8,000 families living in Brazaville.

Serge Ibaka survived war in his home country and moved to Europe as a teenager to chase his sporting dream. Over the years, he has never forgotten his roots. Ibaka works with the global children’s fund UNICEF as an ambassador in the Congo. He started a relationship with the UN body in 2009 and has developed project in the two Congos to help his people survive poverty and encourage them to chase their dreams as well.

Distel Zola

Although Distel Zola was born in France, he represents the Democratic Republic of Congo internationally. Zola is a professional football player who plays a defensive midfielder for UFL Championship club Charlotte Independence.

With all his successes on the football pitch abroad, Zola felt that there was a need to help people from his native country. In 2021, Distel Zola and his wife, Lorraine Lemaire, created the Banazola Foundation; a charity organization meant to help and uplift vulnerable children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This foundation aims to provide tools, protect, educate, and heal children to allow them to grow with grace.

With the help of Lorraine Lemaire, the Banazola Foundation launched a fundraiser that was meant to improve the living conditions of vulnerable children in Kinshasa. The fundraiser generated over $2000 that was spent on buying medicated mattresses with protection against peeing accidents for children in the SECAM orphanage.

This is just one of the many charitable deeds that the Banazola foundation (with Distel Zola at the helm) hopes to do for the vulnerable children of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Noella Coursaris Musunka

Noella Coursaris is an international model and philanthropist. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Noella pursued her education despite a difficult upbringing. At the age of 18, Noella would return home after years of being away from her mother, and her vision for Malaika was born as she witnessed firsthand the poverty and lack of opportunity for women in her home country.

Malaika was founded in 2007 with the goal of empowering Congolese girls and their communities through education and health programs. Since its conception, Malaika has helped numerous women and impacted many lives in the community of Kalebuka and Congo at large. 

Malaika’s projects are offered completely free of charge. These projects include a Community Center built in partnership with FIFA (providing education, health, and sports programs for over 5,000 youths and adults per year, building and refurbishment of over 20 wells that provide clean water for over 30,000 people each year, and an accredited and holistic curriculum for over 370 girls.

Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo

You probably know him from his hit songs such as Bumpy Ride, but Mohombi is more than a Grammy winning singer, song writer, composer, and dancer.

Mohombi grew up between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sweden. As a successful musician, Mohombi continues to show love to his home country by campaigning with the World Food Program to tackle malnutrition in the two Congos as well as supporting a new campaign for clean cobalt in the DRC.

In 2018, he wrote on Twitter, “My name is @Mohombi and I Love Congo. Starting today, I am standing up to fight against the malnutrition in my country. Every year, 160,000 children under 5 years dies from the consequences of severe malnutrition. We are ALL responsible. Speak up and act #iLoveCongo.” 
Since this public announcement, Mohombi has raised funds through his concerts all over Sweden and partnered with the World Food Program to help millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Dikembe Mutombo

In 1987, Dikembe Mutombo went to the US to study medicine in Georgetown University. He excelled in his education and in basketball as well. For 18 seasons, Dikembe Mutombo was an NBA superstar and eventually he graced the NBA hall of fame and became the first NBA Global Ambassador. Dikembe always wanted to make a difference in the world, and due to his numerous successes, he leveraged his celebrity status and became a spokesperson for the underserved especially those in Congo and Africa at large.

Dikembe became and ambassador for better health care and economic opportunities. In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation; and in 2007, he opened the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa which serves 300,000 people in the area to date. Dikembe is on the board of the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation, and the National Board for The US Fund for UNICEF. In 2021, Dikembe inaugurated the Samuel Mutombo School in Mbuji-Mayi, DRCongo.

Although Dikembe wanted to help the people of Congo through medicine, his achievements as a basketball player helped him to achieve his humanitarian dreams by building lifesaving healthcare infrastructure, changing the mentality of the Congolese people on seeking medical care, bringing awareness to women’s health, and advocating for in-country healthcare training.

Antoinette Sassou Nguesso

Antoinette Sassou Nguesso is the First Lady of the Republic of Congo and the founder of the Congo Assistance Foundation which was established in 1984. The Congo Assistance Foundation is a non-governmental organization that has promoted many social initiatives in the health, development, vocational training, and education sectors.

Antoinette Sassou Nguesso is also known as one of the biggest advocates for the recognition of Sickle Cell (SS) disease or Sickle Cell Anemia, a common and life threatening disease throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa.

For these humanitarian deeds, the Congo Assistance Foundation has received international recognition.

Annie Lebouvier

Like most countries, Congo is filled with culture and diversity, and it is important to maintain its beauty through the conservation of art and culture.

Annie is the owner of the famous An’case gallery in Brazaville and the wife of the ambassador of France to the Republic of Congo. Her dedication towards the production and conservation of fine art has led her to encourage local and foreign visitors to contemplate in the beauty of Congolese ancient art.

Art is a manifestation of beauty, but through it, the people of Congo have been able to identify with different aspects of their lives. Annie recognizes this fact and sees the danger of the consumption of art – both ancient and modern – without adequate and effective preservation. Her efforts have encouraged numerous artists from diverse backgrounds to embrace their roots and showcase the beauty of Congo to the world.

Cindy Descalzi Pereira

Cindy is a humble and truly inspirational woman from the republic of Congo. She is an internationally recognized Dolce and Gabana model, and the founder of the Congo Kitoko Foundation (La Foundation Congo Kitoko).

This foundation focuses on charity work in the Republic of Congo. The Congo Kitoko Foundation has helped numerous children through donations to orphanages . through her humanitarian efforts, Cindy has contributed towards the educational progress of numerous children by funding school fees for numerous orphaned children.

Fally Ipupa

On August 10, 2021, Congolese singer Fally Ipupa  was appointed as the National Ambassador for UNICEF in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The musician joined numerous artists, celebrities, and athletes who use their talents to promote children’s rights.

Since his appointment Fally Ipupa has pledged to lend his voice and talent to ensure that every Congolese child enjoys all of their rights. Fally Ipupa is not new to charity work. Since 2017, he has been working with UNICEF to fight against malnutrition which affects 10 million children across the DRC every year.

He also founded the Fally Ipupa Foundation which works on amazing humanitarian projects, including having rescued thousands of children who were forced to become child soldiers. The foundation also raises funds to support other existing organizations working to improve lives.

These celebrities have received international recognition for their talents on different fields. However, they are all worthy of all the accolades and praises that they receive for their humanitarian efforts. It is important for public figures to be at the forefront of advocating for social justice, because it encourages the general population to be accountable and responsible for the underserved.