Matete

Matete is located south of Boulevard Lumumba () from the Matete River, just east of the Limete Tower interchange, to the Ndjili River further east. The two rivers are the western and eastern boundaries of the commune. In the west the commune extends south to the level of Rue Frontière and in the east down to the level of Mbamba Kilenda street. Matete's neighboring communes going clockwise from the south are: Kisenso, Lemba, Limete, and Ndjili. == Government ==

The administration of Matete is led by an unelected government appointed burgomaster (). As of 2023 the burgomaster is Jules Mukumbi. The reform of having burgomasters elected by communal councils awaits the inaugural election of these councils. Electoral district With 134,452 on its voter rolls Matete is an electoral district for both the election of a nine-member communal council and that of a deputy of the Provincial Assembly of Kinshasa. The council election is by open list. For the National Assembly Matete is part of the Kinshasa III district (Mont Amba). Nationwide communal council elections were scheduled for 22 September 2019 but did not take place. In December of that year President Tshisekedi declared that these elections would be held sometime in 2020. The Provincial Assembly election was held as part of the general elections on 30 December 2018. Joseph Malungeni Makengo (MLC) is the deputy representing Matete in the new legislature. Administrative divisions In 2014 the numerous neighborhoods of Matete were divided among the following 13 quarters (): Each of these is managed by a quarter chief. == History ==

Matete is intrinsically linked to its namesake, the Matete River, which originates from Mont Amba. Following the first municipal elections held on 2 February 1953, Mbungu Jean became the first elected Mayor of Matete. In the post-colonial era, Matete was restructured under Decree-Law No. 098/081 of 2 July 1998, which established it as a decentralized territorial and administrative entity with legal personality. == Health ==

The Matete urban health zone is one of the 35 health zones (zones de santé, ZS) within the city province of Kinshasa, and borders the health zones of Kisenso, Lemba, Kingabwa, and Ndjili. The zone is subdivided into 13 health areas: Dondo, Loeka, Lukunga, Lumumba, Lunionzo, Malemba, Maziba, Mbomb'ipoko, Sankuru, Sumbuka, Totaka, and Vivi. It encompasses 93 health structures, of which 46 actively collaborate with the health zone and submit monthly reports to the Bureau Central de Zone de Santé (BCZS) through the Système National d'Information Sanitaire (SNIS). Among these health facilities, there are three state-run establishments, including two health centers and one Hôpital Général de Référence (General Reference Hospital). The remaining structures consist of two Catholic-approved facilities, two Protestant-approved facilities, and several private establishments. The primary health issues in the Matete health zone include malaria, acute respiratory infections, malnutrition, diarrhea, measles, and gastroenteritis. The health zone reflects an urban-rural lifestyle and is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including the Bangala, Baswahili, Baluba, and Bakongo. Lingala is the most widely spoken language in the area. The commune also has a variety of religious communities, including Catholic, Protestant, Kimbanguist, Salvation Army, and Revival Churches. Educational infrastructure in the health zone includes 42 primary schools, 22 private secondary schools, and 15 Catholic schools. Additionally, the zone is served by 10 official schools, 3 Kimbanguist schools, and 1 Salvation Army school. The region also boasts two Medical Technical Institutes (Instituts Techniques Médicaux; ITMs) and a Presbyterian Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales; ISTM). == Notable people ==

• Edingwe Moto Na Ngenge, professional wrestler • Kembo Uba Kembo, professional football player • Marc Mbombo, athlete and Taekwondo practitioner • Félix Wazekwa, singer-songwriter, author, and filmmaker • Moise Mbiye, gospel singer-songwriter • Gaz Fabilouss, rapper, producer, and record executive • Fabregas Le Métis Noirs, singer-songwriter ==Notes==