During DRC independence's turmoils Patrice Lumumba marked the world. Although killed he remains a revered son of Africa whose legacy shines.

Join us at this Special Event organised by Voice of African Women (VAW) that will take place on Saturday 17 October 2026 from 1pm to 5pm at St Mary's With All Souls, 134A Abbey Road, London NW6 4SN.

During this 4-hour gathering, we will not simply celebrate the Centenary of Lumumba's Birth: We will also interogate his legacy through creating a space for honest, informed and constructive debate. We will welcome different perspectives, historical scholarship, political reflections and also the voices of younger generations.

We will ask what has been achieved since independence, what remains unfinished, and what lessons Lumumba's experience offers Africa today.

Patrice Lumumba was born one hundred years ago, yet the questions he raised remain remarkably relevant today. What does true independence mean? What does sovereignty mean for African nations? How can Africa exercise genuine control over its natural resources and its political and economic destiny? And what responsibility do we carry, as Africans and as members of the international community, towards future generations?

These are not simply historical questions: They are questions of our present and our future.

Lumumba's life was brief, but his political legacy was extraordinary. At the moment of DR Congo's independence in 1960, he articulated a powerful vision of a Congo that would belong to its people — a nation free from domination, humiliation and exploitation.

His famous Independence Day address transformed him from a Congolese political leader into a symbol recognised far beyond the borders of Congo.

His subsequent assassination in January 1961 did not extinguish that vision. If anything, it transformed Lumumba into a symbol of the unfinished struggle for African sovereignty and dignity.

There is a £10 cost to attend the event. Book early by searching for "Congo Week 2026" @EventBrite to avoid disappointment.

Food and drinks will be provided for free.

The event will be uploaded to the World Wide Web. By attending and participating in this event, you are giving your consent to be photographed and waiving any and all claims regarding the use of your image.