DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/FILE: LINGALA SINGER PAPA WAMBA RETURNS TO MAKALA PRISON WHERE HE WAS ONCE IMPRISONED AND GIVES CONCERT AND WITNESSES RELEASE OF PRISONERS

Record ID: 390610

  • Title: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/FILE: LINGALA SINGER PAPA WAMBA RETURNS TO MAKALA PRISON WHERE HE WAS ONCE IMPRISONED AND GIVES CONCERT AND WITNESSES RELEASE OF PRISONERS
  • Date: 4th January 2001
  • Summary: MAKALA PRISON, KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS, FANS WAITING FOR PAPA WEMBA TO ARRIVE SLV, PAPA WEMBA ARRIVING AND WALKING THROUGH CROWD
  • Embargoed: 19th January 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MAKALA PRISON, KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, AND JOHANNESBURG ,SOUTH AFRICA
  • City:
  • Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of
  • Topics: Crime,Entertainment,General,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA6UKHVPYZWRO48YV0UE76RVJMU
  • Story Text: Almost thirty years after being incarcerated in Makala Prison in Kinshasa, international Lingala singing sensation, Papa Wemba, has returned to jail - but just for a visit, a free concert, and to oversee the release of 509 prisoners.
    Award winning Lingala superstar, Papa Wemba, was given a hero's welcome by adoring fans, when he returned to jail in Kinshasa recently.
    Even though he is now an internationally acclaimed musician, Papa Wemba was once a prisoner here at Makala prison - humorously nicknamed - the University. So it was easy for him to empathise with those who are being held there now.
    He also got the opportunity to visit the cell where he spent five days in 1976; for statutory rape.
    But his dancing group - who performed with him on the prison grounds - is composed almost entirely of teenage girls.
    Even though Papa Wemba and his dance group lived up to their reputation, the show was stolen by a female prisoner, who took centre stage and delighted the crowd with her dancing skills.
    Papa Wemba took a keen interest in the spontaneous dancer.
    "It's an opportunity for her. When she came to dance with us, I felt like giving her a chance. I paid bail for her - 3000 Congolese francs. When she's free, I'll be happy to have her join the dancing group, but it's all up to her", said Papa Wemba.
    Papa Wemba then attended the release of 509 prisoners.
    The Congolese Ministry of Justice, under pressure from various human rights groups has been trying to improve conditions in the prison. They chose to invite Papa Wemba to witness the releases.
    But for Papa Wemba - always in tune with the latest fashion trends and hairstyles - it was a chance to pass on a few words of wisdom: "If you're in this prison, it's because you misbehaved.
    When you get out, you have to change your character and behaviour. Follow my advice - in any classroom some students get the message, others don't. So if you don't behave, some of you will end up back here in a month or two. So don't start looking for trouble when you are out there."
    As the names of those to be released were announced, it was a display of emotional extremes - the pain and disappointment on the faces of those who would be left behind, and the joy of those selected to go free.
    Either way - walking free or remaining behind bars - neither is soon to forget Papa Wemba's symbolic visit.
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