Ten years after his passing, the Congolese musician Jules Presley Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, known as Papa Wemba, still rocks the worlds. Various events are planned for April 2026, focusing on rumba and the sape (a Congolese fashion style) legacy of Kuru Yaka, leader of the Viva la Musica orchestra and chief of the Molokai village. Everyone is getting involved; there’s a real buzz… Kinshasa, Abidjan, Paris, and London are all buzzing with excitement.
1. Festival: Long Live Papa Wemba – 10 Years of Immortality
With the international theme “Africa and its Diaspora in Immortality Mode 2016-2026,” this festival is scheduled for April 17-24, 2026, African Music Day, as designated by the African Union, at the Pullman Grand Hotel Kinshasa (GHK).
It is organized by the Kinshasa Provincial Ministry of Culture, under the leadership of Minister Bob Amisso and the Governor of the City-Province of Kinshasa, Daniel Bumba, with the support of the National Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, Yolande Elebe. On the agenda: April 17th, Molokai Village; April 18th, Night of the Sape at the Pullman Kinshasa, featuring a best-dressed competition and an exhibition of JM WESTON shoes, including the latest special collection dedicated to Papa Wemba; April 17th to 24th, popular celebrations at Molokai Village, Kalamu commune, with a stage and live music; April 24th, inauguration of a new Molokai Village at the Academy of Fine Arts, the anniversary of his death.
2. Sape Rumba Memorial Festival
An initiative of Michael Mendela, aka MIKE MENDELSON of TEAM PRO EVENTS, taking place from April 12th to 25th, 2026, at the PNC grounds behind the Kalamu town hall, headed by Mayor Charly Luboya. The event aims to promote Congolese culture and celebrate Rumba, which was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2021. It also seeks to restore the sape (Congolese fashion) to its former glory and is dedicated to the pioneers of Congolese music, notably the modern music icon Kabasele Tshamala, also known as Grand Kalle Jeef, Seigneur Rochereau Tabu Ley Pascal, Franco Luambo Makiadi, and many others who have made Congolese Rumba shine.
The event will feature the participation of up-and-coming young talent orchestras and renowned artists, as well as supporters and defenders of the Kitendi religion of Sapologie.
The lineup includes:
SAPEURS: Léopards IGF Kalamu, Wakenda Dance Group, Léopards Warriors, Bagarreurs de la Sape, La Guerre sans fin, Le monde est à nous, Les Sapeurs de la RDC.
ORCHESTRAS.
Apocadero and his group, BENDOSON and DENILSON MATELOT, Pathy Patcheko la Musica de Molokai, BB ISAAC and Kayzo Veli, Afro Mutwashi, Junior Wendo and Petit Rochereau, Bana OK, Sans Complexe, Roi Soleil Wanga…
Another commemorative event involves Zaiko Langa Langa, who will pay tribute to Papa Wemba at their concert scheduled for April 24, 2026, at the Zénith in Paris, with special guests Grand Père Bozi Boziana and Lita Bembo Gaby.
Ivory Coast will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Papa Wemba’s passing on April 24 in Abidjan, on the FEMUA stage in Anoumabo, where he laid down his microphone for the last time. A’Salfo of the group Magic Système, the Festival’s supervisor, confirmed that a moving tribute will be paid to the chief of the village of Molokai at Place Papa Wemba. Meanwhile, in London, British fans will reunite with their idol FERRÉ GOLA at the Copper Box Arena for a tribute to Papa Wemba, not to mention several performances planned in Brazzaville.
FRANCK AMBANGITO
