From Kisumba : Can anything good come from there ?
Obituary
A Family Man and Community Leader: Different Faces of Jérôme Kahindo Kamungele
I. Introduction
Jérôme Kahindo Kataliko Kamungele (July 17, 1948 - August 22, 2020) was a prominent businessman and influential figure in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Born in Kisumba, in the Bashu sector of Beni territory, he left an enduring legacy in the business world and played a significant role in the economic development of the region. He was the son of Reverend Yohani Kataliko Kasiyiro and Naomi Kahambu Kitsa, whose Christian values undoubtedly contributed to shaping Jérôme's exceptional character.
II. Childhood and Education
Jérôme Kahindo began his education at the Baptist Mission Primary School in Katwa, North Kivu Province. His formative years, from 1961 to 1964, laid the foundation for his future engagement in the business world. Even as a young boy, he displayed a keen interest in commerce and a precocious understanding of economic dynamics.
III. Early Career and Rise
In 1961, his uncle, Joël TSONGO KASEREKA, capitalized on his agricultural expertise to establish the Établissements TSONGO KASEREKA, leveraging his years of experience in agricultural trade since the 1950s in the Lubero territory of North Kivu, DRC. The company took shape in 1967 with the inauguration of a shop in Katwa. Subsequently, he sought the assistance of his young nephew, KAHINDO KAMUNGELE Jérôme, to manage this shop. Under the dynamic leadership of the latter, the business thrived, propelling the company into the retail and trade sector, leading to the opening of additional outlets in the Butembo commercial center.
Mr. KAMUNGELE quickly expanded his activities by exploring East Africa (Uganda and Kenya) and honing his commercial skills. In 1974, his involvement earned him partnership status, and the company was renamed "Éts. TSONGO KASEREKA et Fils."
In 1975, drawing on his experience, Mr. Kahindo Kamungele was appointed President and CEO of Établissements TSONGO KASEREKA. He opened branches in Beni and Goma, gaining the trust of North Kivu bankers in 1976, who granted him several lines of credit for importing various goods. These funds were wisely invested in building properties and acquiring agricultural land.
In 1978, the company obtained authorization to export coffee and established a processing unit in Beni, equipped with a full range of facilities for processing coffee ready for export. This authorization, granted by the Regulatory Authority of the Democratic Republic of Congo, testifies to the official recognition of the company's quality work and its compliance with applicable regulatory standards.
Under the enlightened leadership of Mr. Kahindo Kamungele, the company further expanded in 1986 with the establishment of a coffee processing plant in Butembo and the opening of branches in major centers across the country, including Goma, Bunia, Kisangani, and Kinshasa. This period also witnessed the construction of iconic buildings throughout the country, attesting to the prosperity of ÉTS. TSONGO KASEREKA. Imports from various regions, including Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Europe, and even the United States, infused new energy into the company.
A married man and father, Mr. Kahindo Kamungele became an influential figure in the region and earned a solid reputation in national and international financial circles, particularly during the flourishing coffee era, benefiting from national and international credits (Red-Close).
IV. Community Engagements and Recognition
Beyond his commercial successes, Jérôme Kahindo actively participated in professional and community associations. He became a member of the Federation of Enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (FEC-North Kivu) and the Baptist Community in Central Africa (CBCA). He contributed to the establishment of the Catholic University of the Graben (UCG) by supporting the transportation of the first batches of books from Europe to Butembo via the port of Mombasa. His significant contributions to these organizations further solidified his reputation as a committed and influential leader.
V. Family Life
On a personal level, Jérôme Kahindo was a devoted family man. He was married to Foibe Kavira Mbululi-Nyondo, with whom he founded a family before his subsequent marriage. Foibe Kavira Mbululi-Nyondo was born in 1949 and passed away on September 27, 2008, in Nairobi West, Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 59. Together, they had six children (3 girls and 3 boys).
After the passing of Foibe Kavira Mbululi-Nyondo, Jérôme Kahindo remarried Jeanne Mbusa Nzanzu on December 18, 2010.
VI. Death
Tragically, Jérôme Kahindo Kataliko Kamungele passed away on August 22, 2020, in Butembo, North Kivu, at the age of 72. His death left a void not only in the lives of his family but also in the business community of North Kivu. His departure was deeply felt by the Federation of Enterprises of Congo and the city of Butembo. He succumbed to complications related to COVID-19, adding a poignant dimension to the loss of this visionary entrepreneur.
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Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Jerome embodied throughout their life.