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Kinshasa Central Market

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Coordinates: 4°18′37″S 15°18′45″E / 4.31028°S 15.31250°E / -4.31028; 15.31250
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Kinshasa Central Market
Zando
Kinshasa Central Market during the 1970s in what was then Zaire
Map
Former namesMarché Publique
General information
Town or cityGombe, Kinshasa
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Opened1944; 80 years ago (1944)
Other information
Seating capacity35,000 vendors

The Kinshasa Central Market (French: Marché Central de Kinshasa, formerly known as Marché Publique), colloquially referred to as Zando in Lingala, is a marketplace located in Kinshasa's Gombe commune, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1][2][3][4] Covering an expansive 90,000 square meters, it was Kinshasa's largest marketplace during Mobutu Sese Seko's reign.[3] It was eventually eclipsed by the Marché de la Liberté during the late president Laurent-Désiré Kabila's administration. As of May 1989, the market accommodated 15,500 vendors. By 2020, that number had risen to 35,000 vendors.[5][6][7] Renowned for its wide assortment of products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, spices, cooked meals such as chikwangue, clothing, fabrics, shoes, accessories, and household goods, the marketplace also showcases distinctive Congolese handicrafts and souvenirs for tourists and visitors.[8][6][9][10][3]

On 20 January 2021, the marketplace was temporarily shut down for rehabilitation work by the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Kanza Ne Kongo, who represent Governor Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka [fr].[11][2]

Organization and management

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According to Decree Order No. SC/0027/BGV/CO/Ju/NB/2006 dated 28 June 2006, which delineates the organizational structure and operations of the Kinshasa Central Market, the marketplace operates under the governance of the following principal bodies:[12][4]

Management Committee

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A Managing Committee include:

Financial Unit

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The Financial Unit is composed of:

  • An accounting inspector appointed by the government
  • A budget officer
  • A delegated authorizing officer

The latter two positions are appointed by the urban director.[12]

History

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Kinshasa Central Market, ca. 1974

The Kinshasa Central Market, originally called Marché Publique or "Native" or "Public" market, was opened in January 1944 by Vice Governor General Paul Ermens and District Commissioner Roger le Bussy. It was located a few hundred meters southeast of the "covered" market, which had been relocated in 1933 from the old railway right of way to make way for Boulevard du 30 Juin. These relocations were made in response to the increasing growth and coercion of the European commercial district encroaching upon the cité indigènes (cities or neighborhoods meant for non-colonists). The newly established marketplace had approximately 1,200 vendors who served around 10,000 buyers daily. It featured an Art Deco structure that enveloped rows of concrete stalls in contrast to the Mediterranean-inspired design of the "Marché Coupole" (now recognized as African Lux).[13][14][15][16]

The Kinshasa Central Market in 1974

Despite some reservations expressed by certain segments of the European population about sharing shopping spaces with Congolese local residents, the Comité Urbain, an advisory body chaired by the Commissaire de District, was hesitant to construct public facilities within the city. Instead, they utilized the marketplace, along with the adjacent park and zoo, to act as a physical buffer between the two distinct communities. In November 1948, the colonial authorities introduced a restaurant within the marketplace premises, offering Congolese local patrons the opportunity to enjoy a meal for a mere 4 francs (equivalent to about 10 cents at that time).[17]

Following the country's independence from Belgium, the old market was demolished in 1968 and rebuilt as the current Zando during Mobutu Sese Seko's Zairianization of foreign companies.[12][4] In 1970, ten pavilions with closed roofs, four papillote pavilions, two public toilet blocks, and two administrative buildings were inaugurated and occupied.[12] These facilities were built to accommodate a capacity of 3,500 sellers in accordance with the prescriptions of Ordinance Law n°001 of 1 May 1970.[12] However, due to factors such as rural exodus and unemployment, the number of sellers has since surpassed 20,000, leading to serious problems related to occupation, consumption, operation, and space management in the market.[12]

Rehabilitation

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On 20 January 2021, Kanza Ne Kongo, the provincial Minister of Agriculture, representing Governor Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka, launched rehabilitation work at the site.[7][6][18][19] The market's hygiene standards were deemed substandard, with no public toilets and clogged drainage pipes. The market produces up to 9 tons of waste daily, which is not adequately disposed of.[20]

As per Minister Kanza, the revamped Zando market is expected to accommodate 62,000 vendors in a 40,000-square-kilometer space, including a waste management system and a designated trading zone.[7] The demolition of old structures began on 18 March 2021, following the decree issued by Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka to close and renovate the trading space.[7] The decision displaced approximately 20,000 vendors, who were temporarily assigned to nearby markets, including Avenue de la Libération (formerly 24 Novembre), Itaga, and Kalembe-Lembe. The closure also faced opposition from vendors, leading to a mass protest in front of Kinshasa's City Hall. The police dispersed the protesters with tear gas, which led to the arrest of some individuals.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Coronavirus: " Le marché central est aussi concerné par le confinement " (Gentiny Ngobila)" [Coronavirus: "The central market is also affected by the lockdown" (Gentiny Ngobila)]. Radio Okapi (in French). 3 April 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kalubi, Théo Démosthène (15 May 2021). "Kinshasa: la maquette du nouveau marché central Zando dévoilée au public" [Kinshasa: the model of the new central market "Zando" unveiled to the public]. Ouragan.cd (in French). Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Kinshasa: les différents marchés de la ville et leurs variétés" [Kinshasa: the different markets of the city and their varieties]. Radio Okapi (in French). 31 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Lufala, Christian Kingombe Kemba (2020). "Renouvellement urbain du pôle commercial Zando dans le cadre du ppa de la parie nord de la ville de Kinshasa" [Urban renewal of the Zando commercial center as part of the PPA for the northern part of the city of Kinshasa] (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Superieur d'Architecture et Urbanisme (ISAU). Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  5. ^ Mulongo, Freddy (10 April 2013). "Souvenirs: Jacques Chirac au Grand marché de Kinshasa!" [Memories: Jacques Chirac at the Grand Marché in Kinshasa!]. Centerblog (in French). Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Kinshasa: le gouverneur Ngobila confirme l'inauguration du marché central le 30 novembre 2023" [Kinshasa: Governor Ngobila confirms the inauguration of the central market on 30 November 2023]. Radio Okapi (in French). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Marché central de Kinshasa: la capacité d'accueil estimée à 62 000 places". Digitalcongo.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Kinshasa: des aliments vendus à même le sol". Radio Okapi (in French). 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  9. ^ "Chapitre 5: Neuf études de cas" [Chapter 5: Nine case studies]. Fao.org. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  10. ^ Moleka, Prisca (4 August 2021). "Les endroits où faire le shopping à Kinshasa du meilleur au pire" [places to shop in Kinshasa from best to worst]. Kinshasa Maps (in French). Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Fermeture du marché central de Kinshasa : comment se fera la relocation des vendeurs?" [Closure of the central market in Kinshasa: how will the sellers be relocated?]. Radio Okapi (in French). 21 January 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Mushizi, Gulain Amani (2013). "Amélioration de la mobilité à l'hyper centre de Kinshasa et stratégies de réduction de la forte centralité" (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Supérieur d'Architecture et d'Urbanisme. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  13. ^ Congo belge, 1944 (in French). Brussels, Belgium: Service de l'information et de la propagande du Congo Belge. 1944. pp. 24–74.
  14. ^ Annalen van de Belgische Vereniging voor tropische geneeskunde: Volumes 25-26 (in English, French, and Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Societe Belge de medecine tropicale. 1945. p. 76.
  15. ^ Basilewsky, Pierre; Schouteden, Henri (1957). Revue de zoologie et de botanique africaines: Volumes 55-56 (in English, French, German, and Italian). p. 237.
  16. ^ Vanderlinden, Jacques (15 April 1994). Pierre Ryckmans 1891-1959: Coloniser dans l'honneur (in French). Paris, France: De Boeck Supérieur. pp. 344–363. ISBN 9782804118815.
  17. ^ La Revue coloniale belge: Issues 78-101 (in French). Brussels, Belgium: La Revue. 1949. pp. 20–255.
  18. ^ Masamuna, Mitterrand (22 January 2021). "Kinshasa : au lendemain de la fermeture du marché central, les sites provisoires peinent à se remplir! | Zoom Eco". Zoom-eco.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  19. ^ Dianzenza, Lucien (18 March 2021). "Marché central de Kinshasa: début de l'opération de démolition de vieux bâtiments" [Kinshasa Central Market: Demolition of Old Buildings Begins]. Adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  20. ^ Guka, Grace (11 January 2022). "Kinshasa: près d'une année après sa démolition, le marché central "Zando" n'est toujours pas reconstruit et les marchands s'impatientent" [Kinshasa: Nearly a year after its demolition, the central market "Zando" has still not been rebuilt and merchants are getting impatient]. Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 7 August 2023.

4°18′37″S 15°18′45″E / 4.31028°S 15.31250°E / -4.31028; 15.31250

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