Unveiling the Hidden Beauty and Resilience of the DRC 

by Mostafa Sleem  updated on February 20, 2024       

 

In September, I embarked on a journey to the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), starting with Kinshasa at Nsele National Parc, a protected area dedicated to the conservation of flora and fauna, to the provinces of Tshopo and Equateur, the heart of the equatorial forest. Amidst the serene landscapes and unparalleled biodiversity of this scenic country, I discovered both beauty and challenges that define the DRC.  

When I first visited Nsele four years ago, it was a landscape of wild forestry with limited activities. However, much has changed since then. Nsele National Park now offers a wide range of recreational and sporting activities, making it a destination that highlights the beauty and diversity of Congo. This small, developed area has given me hope that with strategic investments, the rest of the country can provide necessary and basic services to its population.  

At the heart of Kinshasa, this small project that started a few years ago has grown to feature an escape for the Congolese people and for tourists that wish to visit this impeccable nature. The small, tented lodges give you an experience to sit in the heart of nature, focusing on serenity and peace of mind after the exposure to rush hours at the heart of the city Gombe.  

 

 


 

My trip did not conclude in Kinshasa. After I embarked on a business trip to explore the provinces of Tshopo and Equateur, it became evident that the environment plays a pivotal role in the lives of these communities. The Grande Equateur and Tshopo provinces in the north-western part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are mainly made up of vast rural and forested regions, with an agrarian population, mostly dependent on natural resources. They are abundant in diverse natural and agricultural riches, particularly in palm oil. It was against this backdrop that we had the opportunity to discover Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), visiting two of their factories and crossing thousands of hectares of plantations.  

One noteworthy example is a company’s large concession and its agriculture practices, which have brought communities together to live in harmony with the land. Observing their innovative, yet primitive methods, such as the creative rice separation technique despite limited resources, showcased their resilience and adaptability.  

The DRC’s history of war and division has cast a shadow of misery on the country. However, beneath the surface lies a resilient nation with stunning landscapes that nurture an abundant ecosystem.   

In Equateur, I personally experienced the scorching heat that tested my resilience, but I also witnessed how local communities organically merged with nature. They utilised its resources to build their homes, using bamboo trees and clay, and find solace in the simple joys that unite them, even amidst adversity.  

In the darkness of the night, I rejoiced in the captivating rhythm of rumba, as people danced passionately without the constraints of access to modern civilization or even access to basic electricity.   

 

Unlocking the DRC’s Potential for Sustainable Development : 

 

The DRC is at a critical juncture, standing on the brink of another conflict while possessing a wealth of minerals that could contribute to global sustainable energy efforts. However, the benefits of this resource wealth have often bypassed the local population, failing to generate substantial employment opportunities. This can be attributed to a lack of education and reliable infrastructure over the years. To transform the country, it is crucial to support the development of people and adopt sustainable practices for resource extraction.  

 

 

 

 

The DRC’s untapped potential should not go unnoticed. Supporting the development of skilled labor and fostering a sustainable approach to resource extraction can create a transformative impact. By harnessing the richness of the DRC’s natural resources and empowering its communities, we can pave the way for a brighter future. In sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and industry. The  DRC holds great promise in a country with over 100 million people.   

Let us lift the veil of misinformation and work collaboratively to create a future where the DRC’s breath-taking landscapes, vibrant cultures, untapped resources and incredible biodiversity flourish alongside progress and prosperity.  

Amidst its challenges, the DRC reveals hidden beauty and resilience. Let us shed light on the remarkable potential within this extraordinary country, recognizing its natural resources and the importance of empowering its communities. Together, we can unveil the true story of the DRC and work towards a future where both its people and its environment thrive.  

Africa, the cradle of humanity, a land that stirs the soul with its mystic allure. My soul chose to be born in a land where golden savannahs stretch far and wide. A land where one can witness the plains come alive with the rhythmic footsteps of herds embarking on their breath-taking migration in a timeless display of resilience and unity. A country that holds beauty, that enchants the senses and ignites wonder.

My land, my motherland Kenya. Born into a Kenyan family of Asian descent, a family that has lived and breathed Kenya and Africa for previous 5 generations, I can only identify as a Kenyan, a proud 6th generation African. Brought up in a family where ‘Being Human’ was the main principal belief. We have been raised with values that don’t differ greatly from those of the thousands of tribes that make up Africa – roots, heritage, family, faith, morals, principles and more.

Many years ago, I stood on stage at a speech writing contest in High School, where I described the strategy behind Muhamad Ali’s glorious win where he “floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee” against George Foreman, in the fight forever known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Years later, never even in my wildest imagination, did I imagine I would be living in the very ‘jungle’ itself, and working in the world of strategic storytelling and encouraging the amplification of Congolese voices and narratives far and wide across the globe from the heart of Africa.

Congo or as it was then called Zaire, a land that was stamped in the memory of the World as the place where Ali fought Foreman and caused a mighty Rumble in the boxing world. A battle that was immortalised in the song ‘In Zaire’ sung by Johnny Wakelin. Congo was a land everyone wanted to know about.

A land that is endowed with all the riches known to mankind. A blessed land, with a rich cultural heritage and a teeming, deserving population. A land sadly destroyed by its colonial past. Which, since its independence, is slowly trying to attain its rightful place in the World. It is here that I arrived five years back.

As I look back on my first five years of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been moments of floating and very often, little stings. I moved to Kinshasa for love. In the beginning, I can honestly admit, it was not love for the city or the country or the people – I didn’t know enough about this 

ginormous country and the 100+ million people that fill its borders – it was personal love. But five years later, I never thought I could love a country and its people as though they were mine. That love comes from the heart that feels the mystic rhythm of the African land, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home.

You can never shake the ancient dust of Africa off your boots – no matter how far and wide you travel.

Having lived in London for thirteen years followed by a few years in the Middle East, returning to Africa was natural. 

The love for Africa always remains in the soul. Living in the heart and soul of Central Africa, has been an adventure.

The narratives that have filled Western Media have sung a different song for many years, call it geo-politics, strategic positioning, economic control, all things aside, the story of the Congo has never really been told loudly by the Congolese themselves. From the outside looking in, the perceptions are dotted and plagued with negativity, but on the ground, the beating hearts of the Congolese are rumbling a little louder day by day towards progress, and it’s in these slivers of hope, that the true stories are revealed.

The stories that spotlight the young entrepreneur battling to build a viable business, young students carving out their careers currently into untapped and underdeveloped industries, the non-existent middle class that should build the private sector and contribute to its growth and the country’s economy, international investors building projects that create jobs and wealth for the locals as much as it does for the financial interest in the Congo. We can’t talk about changing the narrative of a country when we don’t discuss the positive changes that education, infrastructure developments, economic policies, universal health care, food self sufficiency etc can contribute towards developing Congo.

In Africa, a transformative era is on the horizon as the continent sets its sights on change and development like never before, and country examples like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are a testament to these positive changes. A combined drive by the Africans to build an Africa by Africans for a future developed Africa. A daunting task as a fellow African who first arrived in Kinshasa for a two-week trip which quickly extended from month to month and snowballed into creating a business in the field of strategic advisory and communications. It was created around the simple premise – the African narrative needs to be written by the Africans, and the Congolese needed a platform for their voices to be heard as far and wide across the globe.

At the heart of Africa, the center of its soul, the Congolese beats are picking up. Business is quietly picking up, post the first peaceful democratic elections. As the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi embarks on his second mandate, the world waits with bated breath for the promised change and greater development, the impact of which can be felt across the entire population. Whether its infrastructure, governance reform, education, better health, access to basic needs – there are plenty of conversations to be had. Storytelling, an essential part of Congolese culture, an oral tradition that is filled with narratives, stories, and songs, need to be told from the perceptions and opinions of the Congolese.

In the past, and especially in 2023 the power and bias of the international media came to the forefront.

Geopolitics and powerful Media Houses controlled and amplified the narrative that in their perception was important. It’s only natural to question the visibility of certain global issues over another. This raises the question about the impact of our voices when catastrophes and issues affecting an African country are narrated differently. Whether it’s election, unrest or other catastrophes affecting an African country, sometimes the western media does not consider it newsworthy because they do not have an in-depth understanding and information of the issues and disasters that affects this Continent.

There are a lot of positive changes happening as well, and these news worthy developments need to be made a part of the Global narrative. Positive or negative these conversations need to be had openly and who better than the Africans to be at the forefront of this narrative. The true voices of the Congolese need to be heard from their heart and soul and from their perspective. That’s when the true picture of the reality of their lives, struggles and aspirations emerges.

There is a need for a platform where the Congolese voices and the African voices can be heard, where views can be freely given not as a negative but as a positive approach to help bring the DRC to take its rightful place, not just in Africa but also in the World. Is it not our experiences from around the world when put together with like minded individuals – where greatness begins? Where stories and narratives become the basis for legacies.

DRConversations is the platform created as a gift for all the voices that need to be heard, for all the emotions that need to be expressed and to bring forth the dreams and aspirations of a nation on the cusp of development. Join this journey by sharing openly your knowledge and experience to make DRC a happy, positive and progressive Nation.

It’s time for another rumble in the jungle – Welcome to the conversations from the Congo.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             KS