Pierre Nguz Kimba
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| Political position(s): | Minister of economics of Zaïre |
| Term of Office: | March 5, 2006-present |
| Predecessor: | Pierre Manoka |
| Successor: | NA |
| Birthdate: | December 8, 1973 |
| Place of Birth: | Likasi, Zaïre |
| Spouse: | Marie Kimba |
| Children: | Jérôme Kimba, André Kimba |
| Profession(s): | Statesman, accountant, economist |
| Political party: | Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution (MPR) |
| Languages spoken: | French, German, English, Chilunda, Baluba, Lingala, Kikongo, KiSwahili |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Philosophy: | Mobutism |
| Degrees: |
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Dr. Pierre Nguz Kimba is the minister of economics of République du Zaïre. A former accountant and Professor of Economics at the University of Lubumbashi, he has written several books on banking, the role of the state in the economy, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and world trade. Ironically, as a teen, he was an ardent Maoist, and even studied abroad in Red China. However, shortly before adulthood, he had an "about face," renounced Maoism, and claimed to have been born again. He subsequently became an ardent Mobutuist, and staunchly repudiated both capitalism and communism, favoring instead an "authentic, unique, African perspective" far removed from "foreign ideologies, be they West or East." He soon afterwards embraced radical African nationalism, and, for his loyalty to the Mobutu Sese Seko government (which he served as a minor accountant), he was given money to study abroad, and he alternated his studies between Germany and Switzerland. While abroad, he obtained two Master's degrees and two PhDs, and learned to speak both English and German fluently. His doctoral dissertation, Neither West nor East: Africa's Struggle for Economic Independence and Identity so impressed the government that he was appointed Professor of Economics of the University of Lumumbashi.
He also became a prominent political activist. He led demonstrations numbering in the hundreds in 1991, protesting the deployment of French and Belgian paratroopers to the country. At one point, he even became a racialist, advocating "Africa for the Africans only," until he fell in love with a Belgian woman, Marie, and married her. His political views have moderated considerably since then and, although still critical of colonialism, has renounced racism and declares "Africa belongs to all who are hard-working and African in their hearts, be they black or white."
He is said to be a very devout Catholic and, with Marie and his two "lovely sons" attends church every Sunday.
However, this is not to say he has completely evaded controversy. Rumors of his involvement in corruption persist. He adamantly denies rumors that he has millions of dollars stashed away in a Swiss bank account. His spacious home, spiffy automobile, and frequent trips abroad do not lend much credence to his denials.
On a side note, he has been praised for denouncing tribalism and trying to promote national unity among all Zaïrians.
His record as minister of economics has been mixed. He has been praised by some for his proposal to gradually implement free-market reforms, "piece by piece, cautiously and gradually," while denunciated by socialists as well as capitalists who deride him for being "too slow" in implementing reforms.
Before his marriage, he was known as quite the ladies' man, and once allegedly had as many as 20 lovers at once. However, after his marriage, he has become deeply religious, and his fidelity to his wife and family is unconditional.
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Royaume de Zaïre |
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| Main article: Zaïre | ||
| Government: Léopold Honoré Mobutu, Victor Ngbanda, Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution | ||
| Military: Forces Armées Zaïrois | ||
| Corporations: Gécamines, MIBA, TriPetal (article by Laurasia) | ||
