DRC seeks UNESCO listing to reclaim rumba’s rhythms

From left, Franco, Madillu System, Tabu Ley and Faya Tess. [Courtesy]

Perched on a corner of the stage at La Septente, an open-air club in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital Kinshasa, Manda Chante sings the lilting opening to “Independence Cha Cha”, an old anthem for African anti-colonial movements.