Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to pay tribute to Muhammad Ali

By

Byobe Malenga

DRC citizens are continuing to pay tribute to the African-American international boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who passed away on Saturday aged 74.

It has been 42 years since the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” fight between Ali and the until then undefeated George Foreman at the Tata Raphael national stadium in Kinshasa, the capital city of the country then known as Zaire. The former heavyweight boxing champion died in the city of Phoenix, Arizona after a brief spell in hospital.

October 30, 1974, in the city of Kinshasa, thousands of people gathered from different corners of the world to witness the historic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, the undefeated champion known for his early knockouts and iron fist, who had even beaten the likes of Joe Frazier. Yet it was Ali, like a raven entering a den of lions, who emerged the surprise victor, knocking his opponent out in the eighth round to become world champion a second time.

The former heavyweight champion, known the world over for his amazing career that included 56 wins in 61 fights, died on Saturday following a brief stay in hospital. Many boxing fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to remember him and the importance of his famous match “the rumble in the jungle”.

The historic “rumble in the jungle” flight well and truly put the Democratic Republic of Congo on the world map although many maintain it was probably the propaganda of the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko that helped, as he made sure the fight took place in Kinshasa.

Boxing legend Mohammed Ali died of respiratory problems complicated by the fact he had Parkinson’s disease, which he had been battling for over three decades of his life. His family said that the funeral service will be held at his home in Louisville, Kentucky.

Byobe Malenga

I have worked with the media (written and spoken press) for several years in various fields such as production of commercials, jingles, magazines, newspapers and other emissions. I have capitalized on the valuable experience of working with foreign radio in areas of partnership, social mobilization around water points, the setting-up of committees, etc.

I am currently working with the BBC World Service as a freelancer in Swahili, for Radio, TV and online. In addition to this I am also the officer manager and multimedia journalist at Radio Ngoma ya Amani RNA-FIZI www.rnafizi.net, as well as Editor of the newspaper ‘Journal Des Rapatries’.

I have already participated in several reporting missions on behalf of several radio stations such as Radio Television Groupe d’Avenir- Kinshasa as well as numerous training missions, animation workshops and support as the strategic planning and operational. I have already made several trips to Africa taking in Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, the Republic of central Africa and the Congo Brazza.