Independence Roundabout, a historic symbol of unity

In the heart of Lualaba’s capital, Kolwezi, stands a striking landmark : the Independence Roundabout. It has become one of the city’s most recognizable symbols, a proud emblem in the cobalt capital.

For years, people called it « Rond-point Malu ». The name carried memories whispered from one generation to another, including the strange tale of a house swallowed whole nearby, an event that, fortunately, spared every life.

An aerial view shows a busy roundabout with a large fountain at its center, surrounded by trees, buildings, and traffic.

But the roundabout we know today began to take shape much later on June 15, 2016 when its construction was launched.

It took just eight months for the project to rise from the ground, right at the crossroads of Boulevard Lumumba and Avenue du 30 Juin. When completed, it dawwled. Bright lights wrapped the moment, green malachite covered its walls, and a luch circle of grass and flowers turned the place into a living garden. Kolwezi had gained not only a landmark, but a tourist destination.

A bust of a man stands on a striped pedestal next to a portrait of him, with flags and trees in the background.

The roundabout carried meaning beyond beauty. At its center, a series of busts honored the great figures who shaped the nation’s history, no matter their origin. It was designed to teach as much as to inspire. Yeti t also offered something else : a sense of pride. This space showed Congolese citizens the value of their own heritage.

The Independence Roundabout was inaugurated on January 16, 2017 and fully opened to public nearly two years later.

Today, the site is more than a traffic circle. It is a gathering place, a story told in stone and light, and a stop for tourist eager to discover the province of Lualaba.