About

Just a little introduction:

So, of course I’m not really mapping Kinshasa – I’m really discovering it, mapping it for myself and for all those who have never been here. What to expect when you land in the 12 million person mega city. Who do you meet? What stories do you come across.

I’m new to Kinshasa and only here for a really short while. Seven weeks to be exact. My name is Sella Oneko and I’m a German/Kenyan freelance journalist, usually based in Germany. There I mainly work for Deutsche Welle – and no they are not affiliated to this blog, these are entirely my own thoughts and observations. I needed to get out of the office for a while and got the chance to go abroad with a German based exchange programme for journalists, the IJP (or International Journalists’ Programme). So that’s how I got here.

During my last four weeks here, I’m looking for interesting stories, but also just trying to meet the people who make up this city. I’ve chosen five topics, which I associated with Kinshasa before I got here. Stereotypes really and having spent a few weeks, most of my stereotypes didn’t really match up. But that was the plan, so here goes: Business; Chaos (transport); Art; Music; and Crime. The last one being a little difficult, I agree. But I’ll try to at least touch on each of these topics. Bear with me, I’m new here and correct me if I’m wrong.

Ok, have fun reading. Always more to come until the end of October. And check out the maps.