In Goma, the death of boxing champion Kibomango in clashes with M23 rebels leaves a deep void. But his disciple, Heritier — a former street child turned boxer and mechanic — vows to honor his legacy of resilience and hope. In a city plagued by violence and poverty, where youth face uncertainty, the loss of Kibomango, a symbol of boxing and peace, is a heartbreaking blow to the community.
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00:00He is no more. Balezi Bagunda, Elias Kibamongo, nicknamed the champion of champions, the legend,
00:09was on his morning run through the streets of Goma. A devoted boxer and mentor, he dedicated
00:15his life to helping struggling youth. His passion for the sport and unwavering commitment
00:20made him a beacon of hope, drawing young fighters to his refuge, searching for guidance, purpose
00:26and a second chance. When I was in the streets, I often saw him, every morning, running to
00:32do his sport. One day I decided to follow him shouting, master, master, at the time
00:38he trained here, before the place was demolished to build another. This is what the stadium
00:45looked like five years ago, before it was demolished, a sanctuary for former street
00:50kids and ex-soldiers, all hungry to learn the art of boxing. Kibamongo knew their struggle
00:56all too well. He had once been a child soldier himself, battling hardship before rising
01:02as a champion. That's why he was so motivated to help this young man who was left to fend
01:08for himself. I want them to be off the streets and to abandon their rebel mentality. They
01:14must learn to take control of themselves and create their own jobs. I'm here to help
01:18them achieve this so they can help their communities. This is why I am proud to train them.
01:26He further recalls his life-changing experience with Kibamongo. I was very committed. Every
01:33time the master arrived, I was the one who took care of arranging the equipment and setting
01:37things up. He appointed me captain of the club because of the courage I showed. My life
01:43was all about training and the street, until the day master asked me what I did after training.
01:49I told him about my life as a street child. That's when he asked me to come and spend
01:53the day with him here at the Kibambi garage. Thanks to him, I learned mechanics and became
02:01an auto electrician. Mbala, now both a renowned boxer and auto electrician in the city, acquired
02:10the majority of his skills through Kibamongo. We still train them in boxing and after practice
02:17is over, they will come back to work as mechanics. But everything changed when the M23 rebels
02:24entered Goma. About 7,000 people died in the clashes according to the United Nations. Kibamongo
02:31was among the victims. Kibamongo, the champion and hope, is dead. There's a powerful feeling
02:37of anger mixed with pain. His loved ones are inconsolable. That day, there were many gunshots.
02:47The next morning I received a message. My master had passed away. Red card for Kibamongo.
03:02His boxing career has ended. Three whistle blows. That's how they said goodbye to their
03:16champion. To a symbol of hope for the youth. In this very stadium where he trained, where
03:22he fought nearly all his battles. The exact cause of his death remains unknown. Only whispers
03:29and rumours fill the air as his disciple Eritir Mbala explains. The master told us
03:36that he was protecting the population and their property. For example, when a thief
03:41caused trouble and it was difficult to stop him, we often called on our master who would
03:46capture him and hand him over to law enforcement. But during the recent entry of the M23 rebels,
03:54many detainees escaped from local prisons. So, according to some rumours, it's these
04:02detainees who killed the master. But there are also talks of rebel involvement. No one
04:16knows exactly who it was. Kibamongo now rests in his final place. Whether an investigation
04:27will be launched to uncover his killers remains uncertain. In times like these, nothing is
04:33guaranteed. But his family demands justice. The best memories I have of him is what he
04:45taught me. Today, thanks to him, I can take good care of my wife and children. I used
04:52to be a brutal person. And the advice he often gave me was, in life, you don't have to fight
04:58constantly. Strength is hidden. And you only show it in the ring. Two weeks of mourning
05:06have passed. Now, the young athlete is back in training, honouring his master's words,
05:12never give up. Today, he gathers his teammates ready to push forward. Their goal? To stay
05:19sharp and face the challenges ahead. Kibamongo's friendship club lives on, carrying his legacy.
05:26Now, they pass on their hard-earned knowledge to a new generation, keeping the fight alive,
05:32not in war, but in the ring. For my future, I wish to follow his inspiration. Kibamongo
05:40loved to bring people together, to become a family and help them. I will also bring
05:47young people together, whether in sports, at work, or by helping those in greater distress
05:53than myself, to see what surprises the future holds for us. The champion might be gone,
06:04but his legacy as an advocate of peace and hope will live on in the hearts of Goma's
06:09children.