Kinshasa, December 22nd, 2025 (CPA) – A message of national pride has been launched through the song entitled ‘Bendele ya Mboka’ by singer Ngiama Makanda, known as Werrason, and sports presenter Evoloko Salem, in support of the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are competing in the 2025 African Cup of Nations, the CPA has reported. ‘Uh Congo, stand up Congolese, Leopards, flag of the country, being Congolese is a matter of the land,’ they sang, calling for national pride and citizen mobilization. Performed in Lingala, the song highlighted the national flag as a symbol of sovereignty and collective identity. Through lyrics imbued with patriotism, the two artists called for ‘the Congolese people to unite around republican values, in a context marked by social, economic and security challenges’. The song ‘Bendele ya Mboka’ is clearly in the tradition of Congolese rumba, recognized as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The video clip, shot in an urban setting in Kinshasa, features young footballers, symbols of ‘the dynamism, hope and commitment of Congolese youth’. Evoloko Salem is a sports presenter known for his patriotic commitment, notably through his support for the DRC’s national football team, the Leopards. Recognized for his contribution to the evolution of Congolese music, his ability to mobilize the masses and his role in training several talents on the national scene, Noël Ngiama Makanda, Werrason is one of the major figures of modern Congolese rumba. ACP/