Tag Archive for: Expats in DRC

Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Facts to assist you when travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

DRC population

  • 102 million.

Capital and Largest City

  • Kinshasa.

Official Language(s)

  • French, Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Currency

  • Congolese franc.

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 17:00.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC +1 to +2.

Calling Code

  • +243.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Felix Tshisekedi is the 5th president of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Climate

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo lies on the Equator, with one-third of the country to the north and two-thirds to the south. The climate is hot and humid in the river basin and cool and dry in the southern highlands, with a cold, alpine climate in the Rwenzori Mountains. South of the Equator, the rainy season lasts from October to May and north of the Equator, from April to November. Along the Equator, rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year. During the wet season, thunderstorms often are violent but seldom last more than a few hours.

Transport

  • The main airport in the DRC is the N’djili Airport, located in Kinshasa. Ground transport in the Democratic Republic of Congo has always been difficult. The terrain and climate of the Congo Basin present serious barriers to road and rail construction, and the distances are enormous across this vast country. Rail transportation is provided by the Congo Railroad Company and the Office of the Uele Railways. The Democratic Republic of Congo has thousands of kilometres of navigable waterways. Traditionally, water transport has been the dominant means of moving around in approximately two-thirds of the country.

Economy

  • The DRC’s main industries that contribute to its economy include mining, mineral processing, consumer products, metal products, lumber, cement, and ship repair.

Hospitality

  • It is very important to know the gestures and mannerisms when interacting with locals, so as to not be considered rude. When in DRC, do not use your left hand as it is used for personal hygiene. It is common practice in the local culture to touch one another when greeting each other, but it is ultimately expressive of their culture and values. Other things that might be important to know is that in the DRC, pointing at someone is considered to be impolite. Objects are to be passed either with both hands or only the right hand, never with the left hand. Also note to never shake someone’s left hand.

Greetings

  • One of the best, most common, and most appropriate greetings for formal settings and to show politeness is ‘’Bonjour’’. This French greeting is widely acceptable as French is the official language of the country is widely spoken.

Money

  • The Congolese franc is the official currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It used to be subdivided into 100 centimes, however, centimes no longer have any value and are therefore no longer used.

Transportation

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo, unfortunately, does not have an extensive transport network. Many of the roads are not paved or are in a bad condition. Taxis are often the best way to travel between the sights, especially in Kinasha and other towns and cities. In the case that you may want to cover large distances in a short span of time, then road transport is not really an option. Instead, one of the 200+ airports spread around the country may better suit your travel needs.

Safety

  • The DRC is a deeply troubled country with a tumultuous past. The arrival of Europeans in the late fifteenth century, and the colonisation by Belgium shortly thereafter, stripped the country of its abundance of rich natural resources. Post independence violence in the form of war persisted in the country, further disadvantaging the nation. The DRC still struggles to break free from its reputation as a country of ”darkness”. The country faces huge challenges, but its people are welcoming and warm. However, the fact remains that it is not the safest country to travel to.

Culture

  • The culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is varied and reflects the diversity and different customs that coexist in the country. Congolese people have a strong sense of tribal identity. There are 242 languages spoken in the country, with perhaps a similar number of ethnic groups. They combine culture and tradition with religion, as well as taking influences from western culture- owing to the effects of colonisation- and abroad. The vast majority of the population are followers of Christianity, while the rest of them follow traditional religious beliefs. However, even those who follow Christianity often conflate the religion with their traditional beliefs that they hold on to.

Shops

  • There are a few shopping centres in the DRC that resemble that of western countries. There are also some online stores, which are very convenient for expats who have not yet settled in. However, ecommerce is still in the beginning stages in the DRC.

 

 

If you thought this was informative and would like to read more interesting articles and blogs, please click here.

 

 

 

We are excited to announce that we have recruited and trained new consultants in Ivory Coast, Botswana and Mauritius. We have also added the locations: Democratic Republic of Congo and Djibouti to our destination.

Relocation Africa is alive and growing! For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

 

Written by Quintin Coetzee

Facts you may not have know about The Democratic Republic of the Congo:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo), also known as DR Congo, the DRC, DROC, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, is a country located in Central Africa. It is, by area, the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, the second-largest in all of Africa.

The DRC is a unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic, and gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

1.  When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?

Common greetings include handshakes, as well as hugs and cheek kisses for those who know each other well. Hello in Lingala is “mbote”. How are you is “ndenge nini?. In French, these would be “bonjour” and “comment allez-vous?” respectively.

2. What languages are spoken in the country?

French is the official language of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is culturally accepted as the lingua franca facilitating communication among the many different ethnic groups of the Congo. According to a 2014 OIF report, 33 million Congolese people (47% of the population) could read and write in French.

Approximately 242 languages are spoken in the country, but only four have the status of national languages: Kituba (“Kikongo ya leta”), Lingala, Tshiluba, and Swahili.

3. Do you use a twelve hour clock, or a twenty-four hour clock?

We use a 24-hour system.

4. What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in the country?

We drive on the right side of road.

5. How important is punctuality?

Time is flexible in DRC. People don’t always arrive on time for meetings – this is part of the culture.

6. Which types of music are popular? Who are some of the most popular musicians?

Music is a large part of Congolese culture. The DRC has blended its ethnic musical sources with Cuban rumba, and merengue to give birth to soukous, a genre of dance music from the Congo Basin.It derived from Congolese rumba in the 1960s and gained popularity in the 1980s in France.

For a taste of soukous music, listen to Dibolo Dibala’s Michel.

Aerial view of Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital.

7. Are there any Traditional Dances?

Kwassa kwassa is a dance created by Jeannora, a mechanic in Kinshasa. It started in the 1980s, spread across Africa, and was made popular by soukous music videos.

Watch kwassa kwassa dancing here.

8.  What traditional Festivals are celebrated in the country?

National Heroes’ Day

Referred to as “Heroes’ Day,” this public holiday is celebrated annually on January 17. It commemorates the death of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s popular leader. It is one of the two festivals that commemorate Lumumba’s fight for human dignity in the region.

National Liberation Day

The Congo observes National Liberation Day every year on May 17. This is a public holiday, so all offices and most businesses are closed. It pays tribute to the efforts of the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo rebel group who fought the government during the second war. MLC was led by Jean-Pierre Bemba, the son of Bemba Saolona, a Congolese billionaire. Street parades and cultural shows are held.

Parents’ Day

The world observes Parents’ Day every August 1, but in the Congo, it is considered a public holiday. Locals are enthusiastic about giving greeting cards and gifts to their family.

9. What are the seasons like?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo lies on the equator, with one-third of the country to the north and two-thirds to the south. The climate is hot and humid in the river basin and cool and dry in the southern highlands, with a cold, alpine climate in the Rwenzori Mountains.

South of the equator, the rainy season lasts from October to May and north of the Equator, from April to November. Along the Equator, rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year. During the wet season, thunderstorms often are violent but seldom last more than a few hours. The average rainfall for the entire country is about 1,070 mm (42 in).

10. What are some interesting facts about the President?

President Félix Tshisekedi has served in the position since January 2019. He is the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the oldest and largest party of the Democratic Republic of Congo, succeeding his father – Étienne Tshisekedi – in the role. Tshisekedi’s election at the end of 2018 marked the first peaceful transition of power since the DRC became independent from Belgium in 1960.

11. What are the country’s major industries?

The Democratic Republic of Congo is widely considered one of the world’s richest countries in natural resources; its untapped deposits of raw minerals were estimated in 2011 to be worth in excess of US$24 trillion. The DRC’s main exports are gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt, crude oil, and wood.

12. What are some of the things visitors can look forward to experiencing?

Major tourist attractions include visiting Lac Ma Vallée, Mount Mangengenge, and the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

View down a road in Kinshasa.

13. What is a popular local drink?

Ginger drinks and rice-based beers are popular. Linguila is a local wine made by fermenting sugar cane.

14. What is a popular local dish?

Popular DRC dishes include Chikwangue/kwanga (cassava, cooked and stored in banana leaves); loso na madesu (rice and beans); and liboke Ya mbika (steamed pumpkin seed pudding).

15. What do you pay, on average, for the following?

The DRC uses the Congolese franc (CDF). (1 USD = approximately 1,666 CFA).

3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: 10,796 CDF
Apples (1 kg): 9,996 CDF
Milk (1 l): 3,382 CDF
Cappuccino: 5,198 CDF
Water (350 ml): 1,283 CDF
Loaf of white bread: 2,116 CDF

16. Any general safety tips?

  • Crime is common, and being vigilant is advised.
  • You should avoid using any taxis in DRC. If you must take a taxi, use a privately booked one. Don’t hail taxis in the street.
  • On 17 July 2019, the World Health Organisation declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) following an outbreak of the Ebola virus in eastern DRC. New cases continue to be reported across the affected areas including the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
  • Travel within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic and South Sudan is advised against.

17. In conclusion, famous (and sometimes infamous) people from the country include:

  • Patrice Lumumba, a Congolese politician and independence leader, who served as the first Prime Minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. He played a significant role in the transformation of the Congo from a colony of Belgium into an independent republic.
  • Robert Kidiaba, former Congolese international footballer who played for TP Mazembe, as a goalkeeper.
  • Le Grand Kallé (Joseph Athanase Tshamala Kabasele), a Congolese singer and bandleader, considered the father of modern Congolese music.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa  can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. Image sources: [1], [2], [3].