Kinshasa Central Market

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

Kinshasa Central Market
Zando
Former namesMarché Publique
General information
Town or cityGombe, Kinshasa
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Opened1944 (1944)
Other information
Seating capacity35,000 vendors

On January 20, 2021, the marketplace was temporarily closed for rehabilitation work by the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Kanza Ne Kongo, representing Governor Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka.[11][2] The closure affected approximately 20,000 vendors, who were temporarily relocated to surrounding markets such as Avenue de la Libération (formerly 24 Novembre), Itaga, and Kalembe-Lembe. The decision did not bode well with the vendors, leading to a protest march in front of City Hall. The police dispersed the protesters with tear gas, resulting in the arrest of some individuals.[11]

Organization and functioning

According to Decree Order No. SC/0027/BGV/CO/Ju/NB/2006 dated June 28, 2006, regarding the organization and operation of the Kinshasa Central Market, the marketplace comprises three main governing bodies:[12][4]

Management Committee

A Managing Committee include:

Financial Unit

The Financial Unit is composed of:

  • An accounting inspector appointed by the government
  • A budget officer
  • A delegated authorizing officer The last two categories are commissioned by the urban director.[12]

History
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 in what was then Zaire

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 May 1, 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

On January 20, 2021, Kanza Ne Kongo, the provincial Minister of Agriculture, representing Governor Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka, launched rehabilitation works on the site.[7][6][18][19] The market's hygiene conditions were deemed substandard, with no public toilets and blocked rainwater pipes. The market produces up to 9 tons of waste per day, which is not properly disposed of, contributing to an unhealthy marketplace.[20]

According to Minister Kanza, the new Zando marketplace will accommodate 62,000 vendors within an area of 40,000 square kilometers, incorporating a waste disposal mechanism and a designated trading area on the site.[7] The process of demolishing the old buildings commenced on March 18, 2021, in line with the decree issued by the city's governor, Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka, aimed at closing and rehabilitating the trading space.[7] Despite objections from several parties, including the vendors operating within the market, the provincial authorities' decision was implemented and received approval from the head of state, Félix Tshisekedi.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Coronavirus : " Le marché central est aussi concerné par le confinement " (Gentiny Ngobila)". Radio Okapi (in French). 3 April 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  2. Kalubi, Théo Démosthène. "Kinshasa : la maquette du nouveau marché central Zando dévoilée au public". ouragan.cd (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  3. "Kinshasa: les différents marchés de la ville et leurs variétés". Radio Okapi (in French). 2015-08-31. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  4. Lufala, Christian K. K. (2020). "Renouvellement urbain du pôle commercial Zando dans le cadre du ppa de la parie nord de la ville de Kinshasa". Memoire Online (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  5. "Souvenirs: Jacques Chirac au Grand marché de Kinshasa !". Centerblog (in French). 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  6. "Kinshasa : le gouverneur Ngobila confirme l'inauguration du marché central le 30 novembre 2023". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  7. "Digitalcongo.net | Marché central de Kinshasa : la capacité d'accueil estimée à 62 000 places". www.digitalcongo.net. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  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". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  10. "les endroits où faire le shopping à Kinshasa du meilleur au pire". Kinshasa Maps (in French). 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  11. "Fermeture du marché central de Kinshasa : comment se fera la relocation des vendeurs ?". Radio Okapi (in French). 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  12. 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 2023-08-07.
  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 (April 15, 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. Rédaction, La (2021-01-22). "Kinshasa : au lendemain de la fermeture du marché central, les sites provisoires peinent à se remplir! | Zoom Eco" (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  19. "Marché central de Kinshasa : début de l'opération de démolition de vieux bâtiments | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  20. "Kinshasa : près d'une année après sa démolition, le marché central "Zando" n'est toujours pas reconstruit et les marchands s'impatientent". Actualite.cd (in French). 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2023-08-07.

4°18′37″S 15°18′45″E

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