Franco luambo makiadi is one of the greatest artists ever in Africa. Candidat Na Biso Mobutu is no doubt, one of the greatest propaganda songs ever written by anyone.
It was written for the Zairean Presidential elections by Franco Luambo Makiadi in 1984.
Mobutu was the sole contender and the election followed the method of a “yes” or “no” ballot for the candidacy of Mobutu. 99 per cent voted Yes for Mobutu, according to official figures.
While Mobutu was the only candidate, he campaigned relentlessly across the country, bringing his message to the farthest regions of the country. And this song was the core pillar of his propaganda machine.
Its incredible duration, 19 minutes, is another noteworthy feature of this track. This, even for Franco Luambo Makiadi, is long. The song was performed on both Side A and Side B of the record when the album was released.
It was to be circulated to Zaireans free of charge.
The album cover did not have Franco Luambo Makiadi’s name, but he was credited with the track.
Modern Day Politics Follow A Similar Pattern
The beginning of the song addresses the people of Zaire and urges them to publicly support Mobutu’s candidacy:
Similar statements to mobilise the people recur throughout the Franco Luambo Makiadi’s song.
There is, however, a refrain that returns at various moments in the song and which does not only spur people to vote for Mobutu, but also alerts them to the existence of people who are not loyal to Mobutu, who are referred to as “sorcerers”.
By alerting the listener to the existence of people disloyal to Mobutu, Franco Luambo Makiadi promotes a form of active social control.
This can, furthermore, also be understood as a warning to those who did not support Mobutu.
After all, other listeners of the song have also heard this message and they will be alert to people who possibly are disloyal to Mobutu.
As these two strophes recur thirteen times throughout the song, their twofold message is hard to neglect.
They, on the one hand, present Mobutu as “our candidate”, creating a sense of community, and as God-given. On the other hand, there is this focus on “sorcerers”, both warning those loyal to Mobutu and those critical of his rule.
An important theme in the Franco Luambo Makiadi song is the sense of national unity that Mobutu supposedly brought to the country.
Frequently, this national feeling is combined with the vastness of Zaire to underline the scale of Mobutu’s achievements.
European Countries
It is striking that the Franco Luambo Makiadi claims that Mobutu “restored” national unity (Lingala: zongisa), but asks in the same verse: “Was it like this in the past?”
Hence, the song both evokes the presumed historicity of Zairean national unity – Mobutu brought restoration rather than revolution – but also hints at the progress supposedly achieved by Mobutu.
Later in the song, the vastness and the modernity of the country are underlined by references to various means of transport: buses, cars, trains and ships, but also airplanes, which hint at the supposed modernity of Zaire.
The sense of national unity and pride of the country is supplemented by a distrust of foreign interference.
Foreign praise for Zaire may hide economic motives that lay at the basis of a feigned fondness for Zaire.
Of course, the fact that foreign investors may be interested in Zaire’s natural resources shows not merely that the people of Zaire should be careful when talking to foreigners who are interested in their country.
It also shows that the people of Zaire can be proud of the natural resources of the country. Foreign investors may, after all, be interested in these resources.
Once again, the message of the song is twofold: It warns, but it also instils pride.
One area of life which may hamper national unity is religion.
Hence, Franco Luambo Makiadi addresses the religious diversity of Zaire.
It catalogues various religions and denominations and implores these to pray for divine approval of Mobutu’s candidacy.
Conclusion
Franco Luambo Makiadi “Candidat na biso Mobutu” is a song that clearly seems to be intended to raise support for Mobutu’s candidacy.
The fact that it was sponsored by the government and approved by the Minister responsible for information and propaganda shows how music was used by the Zairean government to unite the country and, in a somewhat subtler way, also to warn critics not to openly criticise Mobutu.
The lyrics of the song, moreover, show how music can be used to support political aims.
In this case, the supposed richness, modernity and unity of Congo are stressed, while possible divisions, such as religious diversity, are downplayed, since all religions are supposed to be unified in their support for Mobutu.
Lyrics And Translation
Candidat na biso Mobutu by Franco Luambo Makiadi English Translation
1) Women and men
Go outside
Spread yourself in counties
Shout loud like lightning
For Marshall’s application
Mobutu Sese Seko
1) Zairoise pe Zairois
Bima na balabala eh
Panzana na ba zone
Ganga lokola kake
Po na candidature ya Marechal
Mobutu Sese Seko
2) Women and men
Go outside
Spread yourself in counties
Shout loud like lightning
For Marshall’s application
Mobutu Sese Seko
2) Zairoise pe Zairois
Bima na balabala eh
Panzana na ba zone
Ganga lokola kake
Po na candidature ya Marechal
Mobutu Sese Seko
3) Let’s be honest
Let’s be frank
We are against hypocrisy
We are against ingratitude
Who can can look after the country
If not mobutu who else
Mobutu Sese Seko
3) Tozala sincere tozala franc
Hypocrisie to boyi
Ingratitude to boyi
Nani akoki ko sunga ekolo
Soki Mobutu te nani mosusu
Mobutu Sese Seko
4) Let’s be honest
Let’s be frank
We are against hypocrisy
We are against ingratitude
Who can can look after the country
If not mobutu who else
Mobutu Sese Seko
4) Tozala sincere tozala franc
Hypocrisie to boyi
Ingratitude to boyi
Nani akoki ko sunga ekolo
Soki Mobutu te nani mosusu
Mobutu Sese Seko
INSTRUMENTAL
5) Women and men
Go outside
Spread yourself in counties
Shout loud like lightning
For Marshall’s application
Mobutu Sese Seko
5) Zairoise pe Zairois
Bima na balabala eh
Panzana na ba zone
Ganga lokola kake
Po na candidature ya Marechal
Mobutu Sese Seko
6) Let’s be honest
Let’s be frank
We are against hypocrisy
We are against ingratitude
Who can can look after
the country
If not mobutu who else
Mobutu Sese Seko
6) Tozala sincere tozala franc
Hypocrisie to boyi
Ingratitude to boyi
Nani akoki ko sunga ekolo
Soki Mobutu te nani mosusu
Mobutu Sese Seko
7) Our candidate, Mobutu Sese
Our candidate, Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
7) Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
8) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
8) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
9) From January to March
Population awakening and awareness
March till May
Military duty awareness
From May till November
Propaganda
For reelecting the MPR president
Each individual shall examine his consciousness
Think about where we come from
hum
9) Janvier ti na mois de Mars
Conscientisation, sensibilisation ya ba peuple
Mars ti na mois mai
Responsalisation ya ba militantes na ba militants
Mois de mai ti na mois de novembre
Propagande electoral poya ko pona president ya MPR
Moto na moto a sala examen de conscience
A kanisa epyi to uti
um
10) Our candidate, Mobutu Sese
Our candidate, Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
10) Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
11) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
11) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso eh
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
12) Shout shout the name Mobutu
It will cost you nothing, nothing
Scream, scream the name Mobutu
He is our candidate
In the markets,
In the fields
At your offices
Our candidate is Mobutu
Student tell your parents
Our candidate is Mobutu
Our candidate Mobutu Sese
Our candidate Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee
Watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
12) Belela, belela kombo ya Mobutu
Eko couter you rien, rien
Ganga, ganga na kombo ya mobutu
Azali candidat na biso
Naba zando, na bilanga, na misala epayi bozali
Candidat na biso Mobutu
Bana ya kelasi boyebisa ba tata na ba maman
Candidat na biso Mobutu
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
13) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
13) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
14) Shout, shout the name Mobutu
It will not change you
Central commitee
Political bureau
And people’s Commissar
Our candidate is Mobutu
Executive council
Majustructure
And National Army
Our candidate is Mobutu
Governors and Mayors, our candidate is Mobutu
14) Belela, belela kombo ya Mobutu
Eko changer bino rien
Comite centrale, bureau politique na ba commissaires du peuple
Candidat na biso Mobutu
Conseille executif, la magistrature na armee nationale
Candidat na biso Mobutu
Ba gouverneurs na ba commissaires de zone nyoso eh
Candidat na biso Mobutu
15) Our candidate Mobutu Sese
Mobutu Sese Mobutu, Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
15) Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
16) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
16) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
17) Scream, scream
the name Mobutu
It will cost you nothing
Mobutu restored national unity
Go all over Zaire
Speak any language
Nobody will question you
Did it use to be like that
This is the fruit of national unity
17) Ganga, ganga na kombo ya Mobutu
Eko couter bino rien
Mobutu a zongisa unite nationale
Tambola na kati ya Zaire mobimba
Loba mokoko nyosa yo olingi
Moto a ko tune yo azali te
Est-ce que kala ezalaka bongo
Tala elengi ya unite nationale
18) Our candidate Mobutu Sese
Mobutu Sese Mobutu, Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
18) Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
19) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
19) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
20) Shout, shout the name Mobutu
He brought back peace in Zaire
Mobutu the peace torch
Go to all the regions and find out
People are full of happiness and peace
Zairians don’t like trouble and killing
one another
The country has found peace
Troubling time is over
20) Belela, belele kombo ya Mobutu
Azongisa la paix na Zaire
Mobutu flambeau ya la paix
Tambola ba region nyoso o mona eh
Mitema ya bato etonda bisengo na la paix
Zairois a boya mobulu na ko bomana
Kimia ekota na mboka eh
Mobulu elongwa
21) Our candidate Mobutu Sese
Mobutu Sese Mobutu, Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
21) Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
22) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
22) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
23) Shout, shout the name Mobutu
It will cost you nada
Scream, Scream Mobutu on the street
He is our candidate
As I am singing
Sorcerer are covered in their blunketts
Oh Luambo is a Mobutist
What political party do you belong to
23) Belela, belela kombo ya Mobutu
Eko couter bino eloko te
Ganga, ganga na bala bala kombo ya Mobutu
Azali candidat nabiso
Awa ngai nazali koyemba eh
Ba ndoki ba koti nase ya ba drap
Oh Luambo Mobutiste
Nalinbi na tuna bino bozalaka ba nani
24) Our candidate
Mobutu Sese x2
Mobutu
God sent you
Central committee
Watch out for sorcerer
The fight against them is not over
24) Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese
Yabiso candidat Mobutu Sese, Mobutu
Nzambe a tinda yo
Comite central, bo keba naba ndoki
Etumba naba ndoki esili te
25) After you vote for him again
Look at one another in the eyes
Mobutu, sorcerer a still there
25) Tango boko retenir candidat mobutu
Botalana bino na bino na miso eh
Mobutu, ba ndoki ba silite
26) You people on buses and cars
Our Candidate is Mobutu
If you are travelling by train,
airplane or boat our candidate is Mobutu
26) Bino batu bozali na kati ya bus pe ba voiture
Candidat na biso Mobutu
Ozali ko kende voyage na kati ya train avion to masuwa
Candidat na biso Mobutu
27) All patients in hospitals
Our Candidate is Mobutu
Even if you are incarcerated because of a crime
As you come out, our candidate is Mobutu
27) Ba patient nyoso na kati ya ba opitaux
Candidat na biso Mobutu
Ata ko ozali na kati ya boloko po osalaki mabe
Tango bokobima candidat na biso Mobutu