National Assembly proposes five new national heroes

The DRC National Assembly adopted a resolution on November 6 proposing that Étienne Tshisekedi, Simon Kimbangu, Kimpa Vita, Christophe Munzihirwa and Emmanuel Kataliko be named national heroes. The initiative aims to recognize their political, religious and social contributions and preserve their legacy; if approved, they would join Patrice Emery Lumumba and Laurent-Désiré Kabila. Tshisekedi advocated democracy and political alternation, Kimbangu championed Black dignity against colonial rule, and Kimpa Vita defended the unity of the Kongo kingdom. Catholic prelates Munzihirwa and Kataliko worked for peace, education and development; Munzihirwa was assassinated in 1996, while Kataliko died in Rome in 2000.