KINSHASA, (APP/AFP) – The body of Congolese “rumba
king” Papa Wemba arrived in Kinshasa on Thursday, greeted by officials and a huge crowd of distraught fans after his fatal collapse during a show in Ivory Coast.
His body was flown home after the Ivory Coast held an-all night
musical tribute to honour the legendary African music star, who died on Sunday at the age of 66.
The white coffin draped in the Democratic Republic of Congo flag was
received by Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo and parliament speaker Aubin Minaku before being taken off in a hearse.
Relatives of the flamboyant performer were also at the airport, along
with tribal chiefs and numerous admirers of the artist who was a live wire on Africa’s musical scene for more than 40 years.
“News of the death of Papa Wemba was an earthquake,” Ivorian Culture
Minister Maurice Kouakou told journalists in Kinshasa.