Fernand Kazadi Lupelekese

Fernand (Ferdinand) Kazadi Lupelekese (April 24, 1925—June 26, 1984) was a Congolese politician from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire. A member of the College of General Commissioners, he became General Commissioner of Defense in 1960. In 1969, he became Commissioner of State for Public Matters and Territorial Management. He was elected Deputy Commissioner of the People on three different occasions (1966, 1972, and 1977).

Early life and education

Fernand Kazadi Lupelekese was born in Katende wa Bakwa Mwanza, near the Catholic Mission of Kabwe, in the Kasai Occidental region. His parents, Helene Ngalula Mulanga and Jean Dibomba Kabongo, had four children, of which Fernand was the only son.

In a Congo-Belgium, where higher education was upheld due to the many catholic and Protestant missionaries, Kazadi successfully completed high school at the Scheutiste Mission of Kabwe, from 1934 to 1939.

Distinguished due to his high capabilities and conspicuous influence of a Catechist father, Fernand was sent to the Small Seminary of Kabwe Ste Therese in December 1939. There were few other choices offered to the elite during this time period.

After six years of higher education, successfully completed in 1946, he was admitted to the Large Seminary of Kabwe, in order to pursue studies in philosophy and theology for the following eight years.

Though destined to the priesthood, after 14 years of seminary studies, he felt obliged to abandon this path due to parental pressure: He believed that if he became a priest, the clannish continuity would be interrupted.Therefore, in 1952, he directed himself towards an administrative career. First becoming Official to the Provincial Secretariat, he ensued this feat by becoming Specialist at the Governor Cabinet of the Kasai Province. He also married Madeleine Mianda Ngadu in 1953.

Parallel to his administrative career, Kazadi wa Dibomba also participated in the national struggle for Congolese independence. With the pen name of “Kazadi wa Kabwe,” he distinguished himself through his writings in the press.

In 1954, the first Congolese university, l’Universite de Lovanium, opened its doors in Leopoldville, in Kinshasa. Having the ambition to acquire the best education and despite his familial duties, Kazadi did not hesitate to enroll to the new school in 1955, in the Political and Social Sciences Department. He received a degree in sociology in 1960. He wrote a memoir upon completing his studies, entitled “The life of an unemployed in Kinshasa in 1960.”

During his years at l’Universite de Lovanium, he was nicknamed “Bismarck,” after the German chancellor who was known for his following and his firmness.

It is important to state that Kazadi was also fluent in German, Dutch, French, English, Latin, Swahili, Kikongo, Lingala, and Ciluba. He read extensively and loved classical music, which he was also able to read. He was also a capable harmonium player.

Politics

On September 14, 1960, colonel Mobutu took over for the first time in neutralizing President Kasa-Vubu and Prime Minister Lumumba, whom were mutually revoked. Mobutu called upon the people’s elite, the few university graduates still residing in the country, to form a government: The College of General Commissioners. These individuals were in charge until February 1961.

Fernand Kazadi was one of these individuals and was placed as General Commissioner of National Defense.

In January 1961, he met and participated in the works of Patrice Lumumba of Leopoldville in Elizabethville.

The time period was very troubling. The Lulua vs. Baluba conflicts were fueled since 1959 by the colonizers and Lumumba’s refusal of a resolution on behalf of the MNC for the political struggle. What ensued was an exodus of the balubas, causing them to relocate in southern Kasai. Kasai seceded and so did Katanga. The Independent State of Southern Kasai existed from August 1960 to July 1961. Fernand Kazadi was its Police Force Minister.

For Kazadi, the end of the Independent State of Southern Kasai represented one of the most difficult time periods of his life. Escaping to Brazzaville to save his own life, insecurity, and precariousness for him and his family, amongst other things, were what made it a troubling time period for Kazadi and also the politics of the nation.Two years after the resumption of power by the General Mobutu in 1964, elections took place and Fernand Kazadi was elected National Deputy in 1966.Following this, he became Head of Research at the Office of National Research and Development.

The creation of the Popular Movement of Revolution, a party unique to the Congo, effectively provoked the closing of Parliament, and the dismissal of members of Parliament, in order to represent themselves with the support of this new party.In 1969, he was named Commissioner of State for Public Matters and Territorial Management by the President Citizen Founder of the MPR, Zaire’s Marshall. This was a position that he fulfilled with competence. In the course of his passage in this department, he founded the School of Truck-Driving Engineers in Kingabwa, Kinshasa. In 1970, he was promoted to Commander of National Order of the Leopard and was later appointed as Minister of State at Zaireal.

Kazadi retired from political affairs in 1980.

ANNEX

"1) Lumumba’s Escort:"

He is important in envisioning Kazadi’s implication on two levels:

Globally: the Cold War and the two sides’ control of Africa. What was the role of the Commissioner of Defense from the College of General Commissioners?

Personally: It is not documented that during the flight, he was opposed to the mistreatment on behalf of the convoy. He expressed his feelings and was told that if he interposed again, he would be the next victim.

"2) The Spiritual Quest:"

The Church of the ApostlesBy the biblical practice of this “church,” commonly known as “Baba” during this time period, Kazadi renewed his philosophical roots, both traditional and occidental.