Chemical engineer working in a mining company in South Africa, having worked for Mobil Oil in Congo and Total South Africa, Freddy Elonga was already in the 70s, what we now call people.
The “fault” to the genius of Teddy Sukami and orchestra Zaiko Langa Langa who were immortalized in the true sense of making it eternal, with the song “Elo” which remains one of the most traditional interpretation of the Congolese music .
In an interview he gave, by exchanging mails, Jossart Mwanza, Elo evokes intimate relations with Zaiko and his unwavering friendship, for 39 years, Jossart Nyoka Longo. Freddy Elonga also reveals that the late Teddy Sukami, the author of the song “Elo” would not be the sole author.
Afriqu’Echos MAGAZINE (AEM): You call you Freddy Elonga but you are more known by the diminutive Elo made famous by the song Elo Teddy Sukami and Zaïko …
FREDDY eLong (F. ELO): I started dating Zaiko Langa Langa at the age of 15 when I came to Kinshasa for the holidays and the first person I knew was Teddy.
As I already took guitar lessons in Belgium where I was studying, we met with Teddy to play the guitar and our relationship has grown stronger over time.
AEM: Did you know that you would dedicate a song or it had been a surprise?
F. ELO: During the holidays of 1974, Teddy and I had started rehearsing the song “Elo” which was also another title and whose foundations a cousin of Teddy had laid called Rex (still living). After my return to Belgium a few months later, Zaiko began playing the song at the concert.
AEM: How had you responded to its release?
F. ELO: During the holidays of 1975, the song has begun to success in concerts and I became increasingly involved in the affairs of Zaiko and be known. My parents were worried about my studies especially that some repetitions were with us at home.
AEM: April 17, you were in Kinshasa during the first Zaiko concert marking the return of Nyoka Longo is a true story of love between you and Zaïko …
F. ELO: In 37 years we have done many things with Zaiko it would be difficult to enumerate here. I consider myself part of that orchestra, because a large part of my life has been dedicated near and far to this group. And then, with Jossart, our paths crossed 37 years ago and we stayed friends, accomplices. Jossart knows virtually all members of my family, cousins, uncles, aunts included …
I’m like a parent Zaiko, I saw this band grow and I grew up with him. With other friends we tried to give our support, especially in difficult times. Zaiko marked a whole generation around this group have forged very strong links between people who otherwise may never did meet. So Zaiko shaped relationships, friendships and even love affairs.
AEM: The Congolese community in South Africa calls the group; you will help to visit this country?
F. ELO: We’re working on and I think Zaiko happen soon in
South Africa.
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