# Pauline Opango

Pauline Opango Lumumba (January 1, 1937 – December 23, 2014), also known as Pauline Opangu, was a Congolese activist, and the wife of Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. She was born in Wembonyama, Sankuru, Belgian Congo.

## Background

Opango grew up during the colonial era, when Congo was subjected to the rule of Belgian colonialism after being under the leadership of King Leopold II. In 1908, King Leopold II had relinquished control of the territory, and the Belgian state assumed responsibility, renaming it Belgian Congo. Belgium continued to occupy the region for several more decades, during which time they exploited the natural resources and enforced a capitalist system through policies that often had an adverse impact on the local population. During this period, civil unrest, resistance movements, and anti-colonial movements were prevalent. Mine workers and indigenous populations protested for their rights and equity in the legal system, but were met with extreme brutality. As a result of years of oppressive rule, political groups emerged advocating for independence, with major groups like the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC) seeing the most success. Patrice Lumumba was a key leader of this group, and together with his wife Pauline Lumumba, they successfully mobilized various sectors of the Congolese population. After many years of struggle, Congo finally gained its independence in 1960, and Patrice Lumumba was elected as the prime minister of the newly-freed state.

## Early life

Born in the Belgian Congo in 1937, Pauline Lumumba was a Congolese activist for independence and women's rights. During the Congo's struggle for independence, she made significant contributions to the political landscape and strongly advocated for women's rights. Even after gaining independence, she continued to champion this cause. Pauline's leadership among women in politics was remarkable as she fearlessly challenged the "Evolué" views on Congolese relationships.

## Marriage

Pauline Opango married Patrice Lumumba on March 15, 1951, at the age of 14. She was his third wife, and bore him four children, named Patrice, Juliana, Roland and Marie-Christine. It was an at times a difficult relationship, and the couple were separated by Patrice's imprisonment on more than one occasion. Pauline never remarried, reportedly because she was unable to "find someone else of the same quality".

## Personal life

The relationship between Patrice Lumumba and Pauline was somewhat unconventional for its time. Pauline Opango was Patrice's third wife, following Henriette Maletaua (1945-1947) and Hortense Sombosia (1947-1951), before marrying Pauline in 1951. Together, they had three children: two boys and one girl. During their marriage, it was reported that Patrice had extramarital relationships, which was not uncommon for men in the "Evolue" sector.

## Legacy and cultural impact

Pauline Opango Lumumba was a strong advocate for women's rights in the Congo. Along with other influential feminist figures, she worked tirelessly to challenge the colonial family structure that threatened traditional Congolese families. In Opango's view, the gradual emergence of a new type of family structure among the political class or evolue class posed a threat to role of women -- like herself -- in the home. Although multiple marriages and divorce were not uncommon in the region, the new political class was adopting a European model that rejected these practices. Madame Lumumba and other supporters of traditional family values were vocal in their opposition to this shift. Madame Lumumba recognized that, historically, men had often married multiple wives, but this practice was becoming less common among the wealthy due to the influence of the new political class and their newfound wealth. During the colonial era, many Congolese men abandoned polygamous relationships in favor of monogamy. As a result, they would often divorce their wives and marry Europeanized women in order to enhance their social status and political reputation. However, this new trend was met with resistance from women like Opango, who protested against the practice of "changer de femme," or changing wives. She and other feminist activists worked tirelessly with her husband Patrice Lumumba to challenge the new political structure that excluded traditional Congolese women from the political sphere unless they were educated and Europeanized. Opango's efforts were aimed at creating a more equitable and just society for all members of her community.
In 1978, Opango attended a broadcast hosted by the Belgian government where they officially acknowledged their role in the assassination of her husband, Patrice Lumumba, who was the first leader of the newly independent Congo. During an interview with a reporter at the event, Pauline expressed her satisfaction with the acknowledgement. The interviewer went on to summarize Pauline's relationship with her late husband, including her most well-known connection to him - a letter he wrote to her that she has never physically held. Pauline had only seen and read the letter through newspapers and articles, as it was intercepted by a journalist and given to Francois, Lumumba's first son from his first marriage. Pauline Opango is perhaps best remembered for this heartfelt letter from her late husband that unfortunately never made it to her. The letter became a poignant symbol of their commitment to Congo's independence.
In the wake of her loss, Opango mourned in a traditional fashion, leading a procession of mourners while wearing a skirt-style garment and other draped materials. This iconic image of Pauline Lumumba has been immortalized in books and artwork, with renowned artists like Marlene Dumas creating their own interpretations in various mediums and styles. It is a testament to the lasting impact of her story and the power of art to capture the spirit of a person.

## Patrice Lumumba

Patrice Lumumba is one of the iconic figures in the decolonisation of Africa. Much of the Congo Basin was a colony of Belgium, from 1885 as a virtual private fiefdom of Leopold II, until its annexation by the Belgian state in 1908.
Patrice Lumumba helped to found the Mouvement National Congolais and was elected the first Prime Minister of the independent Republic of Congo in 1960. Within a year of his election, Patrice Lumumba was shot by firing squad after his government was overthrown in a coup d'état. A 23-year-old Pauline Lumumba watched as her husband was arrested, beaten, and taken away by his murderers.

## Activism

Patrice Lumumba seemed to believe he would be killed, and wrote to Pauline encouraging her to carry on his work after his death. The letter was never sent to her; it was recovered by journalists and Pauline learned about it in news reports.
On February 14, 1961, Pauline marched through the African neighbourhoods of the city bare-breasted, accompanied by nearly 100 of her late husband's followers, to the United Nations Headquarters. The women's bare-breasted protest (men walked behind with bowed heads) was to protest Patrice Lumumba's death. At the UN HQ Pauline, with Albert Lumumba, Joseph Lutula, and Pauline's young son, whom she carried in her arms, met with Rajeshwar Dayal, a UN representative. As a result of the meeting, the UN agreed to help find her late husband's body, which Pauline wanted to give a Christian burial to in the capital, Léopoldville. Moise Tshombe ultimately refused to return the remains.

## Aftermath

Threatened by her late husband's enemies, Pauline and her children sought safety at a UN camp in Leopoldville. She later moved to Egypt with guarantees of protection under President Gamal Nasser. From Egypt she traveled to Belgium and France before returning to Congo after the government recognized Patrice Lumumba as a national hero.
Pauline Opango Lumumba lived the rest of her years in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On December 23, 2014, at the age of 77, she died in her sleep in her home in Kinshasa, Congo.