#mutaani

This is a guest post straight from Goma by Mutaani’s Guy Zihindula.

Martin Lukongo is a graphic designer and photographer from east Africa. He grew up in the Congolese cities of Goma, Bukavu, and Lubumbashi, and has also spent time in Rwanda and Burundi.

Currently based in Goma, Martin is focused on his photography as well as organizing artistic workshops with children. He’s launched a platform, Nyiragongo Ngoma Productions, that provides a framework for kids to meet, collaborate, and showcase their talents across music and visual arts. 

Martin is dedicated to working with youth, fully knowing that future stability and peace in Congo depend on its children. “Despite their suffering, you always see smiles on their faces, and that gives you hope.”

Martin is one of many young Congolese artists giving the best of himself to a vision of peace in Congo.

All change starts local. 

This is a guest post straight from Goma by Mutaani’s Guy Zihindula.

Arsène Tungali is a young activist and blogger from eastern Congo, currently based in Goma. He studied Agronomic Sciences and Engineering at University in Bukavu, but now divides his time between writing, editing, and working with the organization Rudi International. Arsène writes in English and French for outlets like Mutaani, Now AfriCAN and the Huffington Post. He also creates bi-lingual content for his personal blog, Tungali. We asked the young visionary a few questions to find out more about what drives him.

What inspired you to become a writer?

From a young age I always had a creative, entrepreneurial spirit. I was inspired to try activities outside of my schooling, and I ended up getting involved in blogging and online journalism. I have always had a drive to improve the conditions of those around me, and that informs all of my work in journalism and activism.

What do you envision to be the future of Congo?

I want to see social change in the people around me. I have a vision of Congo as oasis of peace, a place that’s beautiful to live. I dream of seeing peace return here during my lifetime. That dream drives all of my work; everything I do is geared towards creating a better future. I work with my church as a mentor for young people and future leaders in Goma, and everytime I leave Congo, I bring a message of hope for my country. I want to encourage people around the world to construct a positive image and work to make it a reality.

Tell us a bit more about your work at Rudi International.

We work to unite and connect young people of the African Diaspora around concrete actions to improve their continent. We also work with families that have been torn by the war in rural regions of Goma, to give them hope. And we work with youth in the city to strengthen their capabilities.

How does your activism influence your journalism career?

I believe the power of free press can change the course of a people’s history. I’ve started working as a Reporter and Web Editor for several websites. At Now afriCAN, I train journalists in web writing and produce stories for all their domains. I love this kind of work and I hope to have fun engaging with other journalists and working together to inform the world.

Follow Arsene on Twitter to keep up with all his work. 

This is a guest post straight from Goma by Mutaani's Guy Zihindula.

This week we discovered a young artist named Justin Kasereka Justkas. He was was born and raised in Goma, but left for a time to study at L’Académie des Beaux Arts in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. He recently returned home to work with young people in the community.

In Kinshasa, he studied graphic arts. Today he works as a designer, illustrator, photographer and painter. For him, visual art is a tool to elevate conversation. He sees the artist’s role as a catalyst for positive change in their community, as an activist, author, and someone who speaks against injustice like the inhumane treatment of women in Congo.

  His latest exhibition, KUMBUKA (Swahili for “remember”), set out to commemorate the great leaders who strengthen our sense of identity and inspire us to pick up where they left off, to create new leadership in Congo.

Every Sunday Justin leads a discussion group and holds workshops to teach kids and teenagers drawing and painting. His ultimate goal is to be a positive role model for local youth in Goma. 

For more of Justin's art, peep this video of him drawing here, and follow him on Facebook. 

Sekombi lives in Goma, a city in Congo’s eastern war region. A region where information is censored to satisfy political agendas.  A few years ago, Sekombi decided to broadcast a different message. He rallied a young, ambitious team, and together they launched Mutaani, an increasingly-popular radio station run by Congolese citizens, for Congolese citizens.

Every day they work their tails off to deliver music and daily content to listeners in a war zone. And it’s catching on. Right now Mutaani is Goma’s #1 station.

Last November, Congo’s elections were on the horizon and violence was in the streets. People were dying. 

We did something we’d never done before. We asked for donations, and you answered. You put $18,100 forward and helped Mutaani broadcast uncensored news during a chaotic vote. 

Sekombi is a whistleblower, a pioneer of free expression in a warzone. He built a new recording studio, and we wanted to help him do more. We teamed up with PledgeMusic and together we found popular musicians eager to speak for peace.

Proceeds from PledgeMusic will outfit Mutaani's studio with the gear and instruments it needs to run.

Pledge to launching a facility that will elevate culture and creativity. Pledge to a new generation of Congolese whistleblowers working toward a Congo -- free and at peace.

Click here to learn more.