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Mont Ngafula

Coordinates: 04°25′29″S 15°17′44″E / 4.42472°S 15.29556°E / -4.42472; 15.29556
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Mont Ngafula
Commune
Commune de Mont Ngafula
Map
Map
Mont Ngafula on map of Kinshasa city-province
Kinshasa city-province on map of DR Congo
Kinshasa city-province on map of DR Congo
Coordinates: 04°25′29″S 15°17′44″E / 4.42472°S 15.29556°E / -4.42472; 15.29556[1]
Country DR Congo
City-ProvinceKinshasa
Area
 • Total
358.92 km2 (138.58 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 est.)
 • Total
718,197
 • Density2,000/km2 (5,200/sq mi)

Mont Ngafula, or Mont-Ngafula, is a commune in the Lukunga District of Kinshasa, in the western part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2] By its surface area, Mont Ngafula is the third-largest commune in Kinshasa's city-province. It is located in the hilly southern area of Kinshasa and is intersected by the Lukaya River valley in its southern portion. The boundary with the Ngaliema commune is defined by the Lukunga River.[3] Mont Ngafula shares borders with the Makala commune to the north, the Kongo Central Province to the south, the Lemba and Kisenso communes to the east, and the Selembao commune to the west.[4] It has an estimated population of 718,197 (2015).[5]

Residence in the area is relatively new; in the 1970s, it became home to a small number of upper and middle-class business executives, politicians and other relatively affluent people. However, many of the extravagant compounds commissioned remain incomplete due to the drastic economic decline that characterized the latter portion of the Mobutu era.[4][6]

Mont Ngafula is home to several notable landmarks, including the Loyola University of Congo,[7] the antiquated Catholic mission Sainte Marie de Kimwenza,[8][9][10] the DRC's second-largest hospital Hôpital du Cinquantenaire de Kinshasa.[11] It also houses Kimbondo Pediatric Hospital[12] and the cultural and religious center Mater Dei.[13] The Mont Ngafula municipal building is strategically located at Mobutu Avenue.[14] Lycée Kimwenza and Elisabeth International Bilingual School are regional prominent schools,[15][16][17] while the Faculty of Agronomic and Veterinary Science is the most significant research center for agricultural and veterinary technical education.[18][19][4] Lake Ma-Vallée, Joli Camp Site, Mission de Kimwenza, Lola ya Bonobo and Petites Chutes de la Lukaya are the region's most prominent and significant tourist destinations.[20][21][22]

Geography

[edit]

Location

[edit]

The Mont Ngafula is geographically bordered by Makala commune to the north, Kongo Central Province to the south, the communes of Lemba and Kisenso to the east, and Selembao commune to the west.[4] The commune's terrain is characterized by a series of hills and deeply incised valleys, often transected by rivers or affected by erosion, creating a landscape that poses challenges for the development of urban infrastructure.[4] However, the humid valleys provide fertile grounds for agricultural activities, which are widespread in the area.[4]

Hydrology and vegetation

[edit]
Sunset view in Kimbondo

Mont Ngafula is bounded by two significant rivers: the Lukaya River to the south and the Ndjili River to the east.[4] Along the riverbanks, particularly between Kinsuka and the mouth of the Inkisi River, there are gallery forests and seasonally flooded woodlands.[4] In certain areas, such as Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, patches of dense, evergreen humid forests persist.[4] Similar dense forest formations are found near Kimwenza school and the Lac Ma Vallée area, with the woody vegetation in these zones remaining largely natural, although the influence of human activity is evident through the presence of exotic species like Terminalia superba, Eucalyptus, Senna siamea, and Millettia laurentii.[4] Aquatic and semi-aquatic plants dominate the wetlands, with species such as Echinochloa, Vossia cuspidata, Cyperus, Nymphaea, and Eichhornia thriving in the marshy depressions.[4] On the plateaus and hills, tall grasses such as Hyparrhenia diplandra, Loudetia simplex, and Megathyrsus maximus are common, though they are often affected by seasonal bushfires during the dry period.[4]

Geology and climate

[edit]
Boulders along the Congo River at Mbudi Nature, located in the Mbudi neighborhood.

The soil in Mont Ngafula is of the AC profile, with a sandy texture and low clay content. The upper organic horizon is distinct from the underlying parent rock due to its darker coloration, a feature indicative of the region's soil composition.[4]

Climatically, Mont Ngafula falls within the AW4 climate category according to the Köppen classification, signifying a tropical humid climate.[4] The region experiences a pronounced dry season from May to August or June to September, while the rainy season spans from late September to late May, lasting approximately eight months.[4] The area receives an average annual rainfall of 1483.5 mm, with November being the wettest month, averaging 268.1 mm of precipitation.[4] Temperatures remain moderate throughout the year, with an annual average below 25°C. The hottest month is March, with an average of 24.74°C, while the coolest is July, averaging 22.06°C.[4] Relative humidity averages 79%, peaking at 84% in November and May, and dropping to a low of 71% in September.[4]

Administrative division

[edit]
Kimbondo
Kimwenza

Pursuant to statutory provisions, both the city and the commune are recognized as decentralized administrative entities, each endowed with legal personality, whereas neighborhoods within them function as administrative subdivisions devoid of legal personality or autonomous representation (Article II, Ordinance Law No. 82-006).[23]

Mont Ngafula is administratively subdivided into 20 neighborhoods:[24]

  • Mbudi
  • Kimbondo
  • Kimbuta
  • Kimwenza
  • Kimbuala
  • Kindele
  • Lutendele
  • Mama Mobutu
  • Mama Yemo
  • Masanga-Mbila
  • Musangu-Télécom
  • Mazamba
  • Matadi-Kibala
  • Matadi-Mayo
  • Mitendi
  • Ndjili-Kilambu
  • Ngansele
  • Plateau 1
  • Plateau 2
  • Vunda-Manenga

History

[edit]
Sainte Marie de Kimwenza is one of the earliest Roman Catholic parish churches established in Kinshasa

Historically, Mont Ngafula was a large village inhabited by Humbu people in a suburban area.[25] The name Mont Ngafula is derived from two elements: "Mont", meaning hill, and "Ngafula", the name of the village's chief, or Kapita. Prior to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's independence on 30 June 1960, the region experienced significant immigration from the Teke people, primarily from the southwestern regions of what is now the Republic of Congo.[25] The Lari people, although a smaller group, also settled in the area alongside the Teke.[25]

Mont Ngafula transitioned from a rural village to an official annexed zone under the decree-law of 13 October 1959, which outlined the organization of cities and communes.[25] Articles 117 to 123 of this decree formalized its detachment from Kasangulu Territory, to which it previously belonged, and its annexation to the city of Kinshasa.[25] This marked the first stage in Mont Ngafula's integration into Kinshasa's urban structure. By 10 April 1967, the annexed area was granted a special status as a suburban commune through Ordinance Law No. 67-117, which further solidified its political and administrative significance.[25]

On 20 January 1968, Mont Ngafula was elevated to the status of an urban commune by Presidential Ordinance No. 008-24, which officially recognized Mont Ngafula as one of Kinshasa's urban communes.[25] A year later, on 23 January 1969, Decree No. 69-0042 from the Ministry of the Interior finalized its status by including it among the 24 officially recognized communes of Kinshasa.[25]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population of Mont Ngafula
Year19671970198420032004
Population2,04029,81152,820252,412261,004

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mont Ngafula.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo". Google Maps. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Géographie de Kinshasa (Geography of Kinshasa)" (in French). Ville de Kinshasa (City of Kinshasa). Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  3. ^ Nzuzi, Francis Lelo (2008). Kinshasa: ville et environnement. Editions L'Harmattan. p. 132. ISBN 978-2-296-06080-7.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Wantuadi, Yannick Luya (2008). "Identification des espèces fourragères pouvant être utilisées dans l'aménagement de pà¢turages à la ferme ESSEL à Mont Ngafula (Kinshasa ) en RDC" [Identification of fodder species that can be used in the development of pastures at the ESSEL farm in Mont Ngafula (Kinshasa) in the DRC] (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: University of Kinshasa Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  5. ^ Kinyamba, S. Shomba; Nsenda, F. Mukoka; Nonga, D. Olela; Kaminar, T.M.; Mbalanda, W. (2015). "Monographie de la ville de Kinshasa" (PDF) (in French). Ottawa, Canada: IDRC.CRDI. p. 40. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  6. ^ Yala, Christian Youdi (2010). "Perception et pratique de la planification familiale par les ménages de Mont-Ngafula (étude sociologique au quartier Kindele)" [Perception and practice of family planning by households in Mont-Ngafula (sociological study in the Kindele district)] (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: University of Kinshasa. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  7. ^ "Présentation de la paroisse" [Presentation of the parish]. Notredamedelasagesse.org (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  8. ^ Tsala, Boni (March 25, 2021). "Erosions à Kimwenza et à Kindele: la Banque mondiale promet son implication pour trouver une solution" [Erosions in Kimwenza and Kindele: the World Bank promises its involvement to find a solution]. www.digitalcongo.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  9. ^ "First Vows of Five Sisters, Livestreamed from Nairobi, Kenya | Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur". 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  10. ^ "Threefold Jubilee in the Congo". Good Works. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  11. ^ "Filming in L'hôpital du Cinquantenaire Hospital". Film Crew Fixers. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  12. ^ "Pediatric Hospital of Kimbondo". hubforkimbondo.it. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  13. ^ "Mont Ngafula" (PDF). Familyplanning-drc.net. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  14. ^ Malumba, Glory (2023-09-23). "Kinshasa: la municipalité belge de Waremme et Mont-Ngafula signent un accord pour la modernisation des infrastructures" [Kinshasa: the Belgian municipality of Waremme and Mont-Ngafula sign an agreement for the modernization of infrastructure]. Politico.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  15. ^ Lydie, Manzu (March 25, 2021). "Le Lycée Kimwenza et la Bibliothèque des Jésuites menacés de disparition" [Kimwenza High School and Jesuit Library threatened with disappearance]. ouragan.cd (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  16. ^ "Liste des Centres d'Inscriptions" (PDF) (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: CENI. December 2022. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  17. ^ Lukanga, Rufus; Celcom (2022-03-04). "Assemblée nationale : Les élèves de Elisabeth International Bilingual School visite l'hémicycle" [National Assembly: Students from Elisabeth International Bilingual School visit the hemicycle]. Tele50.cd (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  18. ^ "Université: l'ISAV se dote d'une bibliothèque numérique". Radio Okapi (in French). 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  19. ^ "Kinshasa : une campagne de sensibilisation à l'entretien de la route «Kimwenza-Kindele»" [Kinshasa: an awareness campaign for the maintenance of the "Kimwenza-Kindele" road]. ACP (in French). 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  20. ^ "Kinshasa: 12 hectares de la Concession du lac de ma vallée, appartenant à la CENCO, spoliés" [Kinshasa: 12 hectares of the My Valley Lake Concession, belonging to CENCO, plundered]. Radio Okapi (in French). 2021-09-19. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  21. ^ "Mont Ngafula: bouclage au camp Joli site". Radio Okapi (in French). 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  22. ^ Chuga, Haggai (2023-12-11). "Campagne électorale: Carine MBUAKI YEMBI candidate numéro 204 LUKUNGA a échangé avec les habitants des quartiers Camp Pumbu, Joli site et Mutushe à Mont Ngafula" [Electoral campaign: Carine Mbuaki Yembi candidate number 204 Lukunga spoke with residents of the Camp Pumbu, Joli site and Mutushe neighborhoods in Mont Ngafula]. Pourelle.info (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  23. ^ Kujirakwinja, Deo (2002). "La problématique du lotissement dans la ville de Goma. cas des quartiers Keshero et Katoyi" [The problem of subdivision in the city of Goma. Case of the Keshero and Katoyi districts] (in French). Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural de Bukavu (ISDR/Bukavu). Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  24. ^ Eley, Josephat (28 April 2017). "La vie dans nos communes: Mont-Ngafula: vie et réalités quotidiennes de ses habitants" [Life in our communities: Mont-Ngafula: life and daily realities of its inhabitants]. Geopolismagazine.net. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h Miankoma, Julio Luzoladio (2020). "Dynamique de l'habitat et son impact sur la physionomie du quartier Mitendi dans la commune de Mont Ngafula à Kinshasa" [Housing dynamics and its impact on the physiognomy of the Mitendi district in the commune of Mont Ngafula in Kinshasa] (in French). Ngaliema, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Université Pédagogique Nationale. Retrieved 12 October 2024.



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