Innocent Wins!

Sekombi pulls up to the house with Ganza on a mission.
“Do you have a white bed sheet?”
“Yeah, I think it is on the bed though, why?” I say.
“We need to make the screen bigger for the showing of Vodacom Superstar tonight, so people who are standing far away can still see.”
I go pull the sheet off the bed, “here you go.”
“So the screening is at 6pm tonight right? At round point BDGL?” I ask.
“Yup,” Sekombi answers on his way out the door, “ see you there.”

This is the final day of Vodacom Superstar, which is like Congo’s American Idol, but sponsored by Akon. Today, Akon will be in Kinshasa and the winner between the final two candidates will be announced. One of the final candidates is thirteen-year-old Innocent, who has been singing his whole life with his brothers. He started gaining local fame through Yolé! Africa, a youth cultural center in Goma where Sekombi is the director. Three candidates out of 16 candidates nationwide are from Goma and two are from Yolé! Africa’s center.

The last two weeks, Sekombi, Ganza and an entourage of Goma cultural supporters had been traveling throughout the town each night with a truck blasting Akon music, a screen, a projector and an edited copy of all Innocent’s performances on Vodacom superstar.

“Votez, votez, votez Innocent!!”

The winner is determined by whoever has the most votes, which are text messages sent in with the number of the candidate. $10 sends 200 votes. 10 cents sends one vote.
The screenings were just set up in the middle of roads, in front of stores, in front of sports fields, anywhere where people gather. The crowds went crazy throughout the 55-minute clip. Motorbike taxis stopped all over the street. People carrying food on their heads set their baskets down. Kids were captivated seeing their neighbor/schoolmate/friend on TV.

Innocent is the proverbial Cinderella. He is from Birere, the poorest neighborhood in Goma, where wooden houses are stacked next to each like matchsticks and burn like them as well. If only one catches on fire, the whole neighborhood goes down. The smaller border crossing to Rwanda is on the eastern side of Birere where there is a constant stream of commerce and trade. The streets are packed with people, cars, motos, shops, and your wallet and phone are fair game.

I reached the main round point in town where the public screening of the final was going to be held. It was already packed with people. The city electricity crane (which I had never seen out before tonight) was turning out half of the streetlights so that people could see. The theme music of the TV show started and the announcer’s face appeared over the Goma crowd, “VODACOM SUPERSTAR!”
Innocent and his competitor each sang a song in front of Akon and the other 14 participants had the chance to perform for one minute each. Innocent sang a song that he composed with his brothers. At the end of the show, Akon and his whole crew stood with the two finalists, opened the envelope and Akon proceeded to heighten the suspense putting his hand over each one several times. Finally he announced it, “INNOCENT!”

The whole crowd erupted and yelling across Goma filled the air.

People were jumping and hugging each other. Running around in the middle of the street. Motos and cars incessantly honked their horns. People jumped on the backs of cars.
We took Innocent’s 16 year-old brother to his house. There were parades in the street and people singing at his house. He got out of the car to a mob of congratulations. We all decided to take a drive around town to see the celebrations.

I have never seen anything like it in my life. Parents were leading parades of singing children at 10pm in the middle of the streets. Motorbike drivers were standing on top of their bikes while driving. We got out of the car and stood on the street to watch. Everyone who passed congratulated Sekombi and Yolé! Africa for the win. They were astonished that they were able to see the brother of Innocent that very same night and shook his hand with utmost respect.
The whole town celebrated. The whole city was permeated with hope and pride for their kid who made it to the top from Goma.
These are the stories that need to be told.

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