Popular Congolese singer Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay, mostly called Tshala Muana has died at the age of 64, according to her producer and companion, Claude Mashala.
Mashala posted on social media, “In the early hours of this morning the good Lord has made the decision to call back Tshala Muana”
Many consider her as the “Queen of Mutuashi”, a local song and dance from her native Kasai region. Tshala Muana toured widely overseas, won several awards on the national, continental and international scene and had recorded dozens of albums. She was famous for songs like Karibu Yangu, Malu and Tshianza.
The popular 1987 Congolese musical film La Vie est Belle and Aya of Yop City also featured her songs.
Muana, was also often affectionately called “Mamu National”, which means the nation’s mother, for her vocal defence of the rights of women and children in the Congolese parliament.
Outpourings of condolences have continued to pour in, including from former presidential candidate, Seth Kikuni, who thanked her for her work and “great contribution to the Congolese culture”.
She was a strong fan of former president Joseph Kabila and his party – the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).
In 2020 President Félix Tshisekedi arrested her, purportedly for her song “Ingratitude” which was believed to be critical of an unnamed leader.