The Democratic Republic of Congo is celebrating its independence on 30 June. A refrain will remind the collective memory of the road travelled. “Indépendance Cha Cha” will be hummed and danced to by a people who have swallowed a lot since gaining independence in 1960.

This song still resonates today as an anthem for the liberation of African countries colonised by Western powers. However, few memories and considerations remain for those who participated in making the song beautiful.

In 1960, the group African Jazz accompanied the Congolese delegation to Brussels to negotiate independence. Joseph Kabasele, the singer and leader of the group, improvised the notes and lyrics of this song even before Joseph Kasavubu, Patrice Lumumba, Moïse Tshombé and the others obtained liberation from the yoke of Belgium over their country. At least that is what Pierre Yantula, known as Petit Pierre, says today.

At the time, the 18-year-old percussionist was the youngest member of the seven-piece band. From the glory of those great years, he went into a state of destitution. He had to give up music because of a traffic accident in which he lost a leg in 1963.

But ‘Petit Pierre’ is happy with the fate of his colleague Armando Brazzos. At 86, the former bassist of the African Jazz group is bedridden, mute and absent. His family complains that the Congolese authorities have abandoned him.

Pierre Yantula says he has written to the new president of the DRC to present their situation and to ask for better recognition from the nation. He is also claiming neighbouring rights to the group’s work, whose other members have died. A retired civil servant, he is waiting for something to happen so that his old age will be more peaceful.