Twenty six years after the passing of Franco Luambo Makiadi, a statue has been unveiled in his honour. Franco who is considered the greatest musician Africa has ever produced, passed away in 1989, ending a career that lasted over 30 years.

The statue was inaugurated by Congolese Prime  Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo.The bronze statue is 2.97 metres in height and weighs 400 kilograms. It stands in the heart of Matonge district in the commune of Kalamu in Kinshasa. Matonge disctrict  is known as the heartbeat of the Congolese music scene. 

Some prominent Congolese musicians present at the ceremony praised the work. But they want other greats of Congolese music are honored in the same way.

“We thank the Head of State for this gesture how much capital for us. We hope that this kind of event extends also to other artists like Kalle Jeff who was one of the tenors Fiesta style, “said the president of the Association of Congolese musicians Kiamwangana Mateta Verkys who at one point in the 1970s was a prominent member of Franco’s band TPOK Jazz.

Several members of the government were present at the inauguration of the statue of Luambo Makiadi. During the event, the Ok Jazz Group that Luambo founded and led for a long time, played a few songs. The band has recently been revived by Franco’s son and plays at the Une Deux Trois nightclub that Franco played at during his heyday. 

On his Twitter account, the Prime Minister praised the work of Franco, “a symbol of rumba music.”