Why 'Lumumba Vea', Standing Like a Statue at DR Congo World Cup?
Famous DR Congo fan, Lumumba Vea, stands silently during matches as a tribute to the country's first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba.
The DR Congo team kicked off their World Cup campaign with one of the most memorable results ever: a 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. However, the team was without one of its key members: Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as "Lumumba Vea." Lumumba is one of DR Congo's most famous fans, having become a fan icon thanks to his idiosyncratic routine during matches. He didn't cheer or celebrate. Instead, he stood silently throughout the match, often with his arms raised. So why is he standing motionless like a statue? There is a deep meaning behind Lumumba's actions during matches. It was a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the country's first prime minister after independence from Belgium in 1960. Congolese fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga recreated the iconic pose of former prime minister and independence leader Patrice Lumumba to draw attention to the country's history during the match. Lumumba was executed by the Belgian army on 17 January 1961, and this gesture is reflected in his memorial statue in Kinshasa. After being unable to attend the match against Portugal due to health and travel problems, Lumumba looks ready to support DR Congo in Tuesday's match against Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico.
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