Notable figures:
Dikembe Mutombo – Athelete. He is a former professional basketball player and played in the NBA for 18 years. Mutombo won 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and made 8
All-Star teams. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Koffi Olomide – Musician. Known as the King of Soukous, he is a pioneer of Lingala music and dance including soukous and ndombolo. With over 30 albums, Olomide has
achieved major international success and played a major role in bringing Lingala music to global audiences. In 2022, he was inducted into the Afropop Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement.
Patrice Lumumba – Politician. He led the DRC to independence on June 30 1960 and was the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the DRC. Lumumba was known for his strong support of Pan-Africanism and advocated for complete independence and anti-colonial rule across Africa. He remains an iconic figure and hero in Congolese nationalism and African liberation.