Family Discovery Day 2026 in Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo

Download Photo

Lubumbashi, August 1, 2026 — The city of Lubumbashi came alive with the second annual edition of Family Discovery Day, a major event dedicated to family, family history, collective memory, culture, and living together in harmony. 

Held under the theme “Wote Pamoja – Hadisi Moja,” translated into French as “Ensemble, une seule histoire” (“Together, One Story”), the important gathering brought together representatives from the seven stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the city of Lubumbashi, as well as several political, administrative, academic, religious, and civil-society figures.

The event was presided over by Area Seventy Elder Ilunga Ndalamba Dan, in an atmosphere marked by fellowship, dialogue, and sharing around the importance of preserving and passing on family history and collective memory.

Family Discovery Day 2026 sought to remind participants that every family has a history, memories, values, and heritage that deserve to be preserved and passed on to future generations.

The theme “Together, One Story” therefore served as a genuine call for unity and collective responsibility. It highlighted the idea that, despite the diversity of families, communities, cultures, and life experiences, present and future generations are called to build a shared memory based on knowing their origins, respecting their elders, and passing on values.

This vision aligns with the mission of FamilySearch International, which works around the world to facilitate the research, preservation, and transmission of family and genealogical history.

One of the major highlights of this edition was the quality and diversity of the speakers brought together for the various panels.

Among the participants was Honorable Kalamba Ngindu Jean-Louis, a national member of parliament elected from the Lubumbashi electoral district, who shared his perspective on issues relating to society, family, citizenship, and the transmission of values.

The gathering also featured Ms. Tytyne Kakese, a renowned journalist, whose experience in communications and media enriched the discussions on the role of communication in preserving and transmitting collective memory.

The academic world was also strongly represented, with the participation of several professors and lecturers from universities and institutions of higher education in Lubumbashi, notably the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU), the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique (ISP), and other local institutions.

The presence of academics brought a scientific dimension to discussions concerning history, culture, memory, the transmission of knowledge, and the role of the family in shaping society.

The discussions also benefited from the participation of several figures representing different generations and diverse family experiences.

The couple of President Ntambwe Emery Kazadi and his wife Kikudji Aimee of the Katuba Stake took part in the discussions, sharing their testimony about family, values, and the importance of intergenerational transmission.

Patriarch Mundundu Nicolas also participated in the discussions, bringing a perspective grounded in the experience of generations and emphasizing the importance of preserving the stories, teachings, and values passed down by ancestors and parents.

Patriarch Mutombo Kalunga Kaputa of the Kisanga Stake was also among the speakers, contributing to this collective reflection on family, history, and the responsibility of present generations.

Download Photo

The diversity of the speakers made it possible to create a genuine dialogue among youth, parents, patriarchs, leaders, academics, and public officials, giving the theme “Together, One Story” particularly meaningful significance.

The international dimension of the event was also highlighted by the participation of the FamilySearch International Manager for the Africa Central Area Boris Kabeya.

Their presence provided an opportunity to further present FamilySearch’s vision and initiatives in genealogical research, preservation of historical records, and the transmission of family history.

Their participation also helped strengthen prospects for the development of family history initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the city of Lubumbashi.

The presence of public authorities was another highlight of this year's event.

Download Photo

The Provincial Government of Haut-Katanga was represented by the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Jean-Claude Nsenga Kafindo, demonstrating the interest of provincial authorities in an initiative that places family, culture, memory, and social cohesion at the heart of society.

The activity was also attended by Honorable Ntumba Mishika Micheline, Provincial Deputy elected from the Lubumbashi electoral district.

The presence of these representatives of public institutions gave the event a civic and institutional dimension, fostering dialogue among religious communities, public institutions, academia, and society at large.

One of the most significant aspects of this second edition was the mobilization of the seven stakes of the city of Lubumbashi.

This participation was a concrete expression of the activity's theme: Wote Pamoja – Hadisi Moja, Together, One Story.

Beyond differences in neighborhoods, backgrounds, and experiences, members from the seven stakes were invited to unite around a common vision: valuing the family, knowing its history, preserving its memory, and passing its heritage on to future generations.

Family Discovery Day thus emerged as a true gathering space, enabling families to recognize that their individual stories contribute to a broader collective history.

The second annual edition of Family Discovery Day was not merely a meeting or a cultural activity. It served as a framework for reflection on intergenerational responsibility.

Knowing one's family history helps children and youth better understand their origins, appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations, value their cultural heritage, and become guardians of that memory in turn.

In a world marked by rapid change, preserving family history is increasingly recognized as an important way to maintain bonds between generations and strengthen a sense of belonging.

Through this initiative, Family Discovery Day reminds us that history is not found only in books. It is also found within families, in the stories of parents and grandparents, in photographs, documents, traditions, places, and memories that form our shared heritage.

The theme “Together, One Story” takes on special significance in the context of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country characterized by great cultural, linguistic, and community diversity.

The event promoted a vision in which diversity is not viewed as a source of division, but as a richness that contributes to a shared collective story.

The family then becomes the first place where identity, respect, solidarity, responsibility, and the transmission of values are learned.

At the conclusion of this great day, Family Discovery Day 2026 leaves as its central message the need to continue documenting, preserving, and passing on family histories so that future generations may know their roots and understand the path travelled by those who came before them.

“Wote Pamoja – Hadisi Moja” was therefore not merely a theme. It became a vision and a commitment: we may be different in our backgrounds, families, and cultures, but together we can contribute to preserving a shared memory and building a history worthy of being passed on to future generations.

The second edition of Family Discovery Day, held on August 1, 2026, in Lubumbashi, will be remembered as an important initiative promoting family, family history, culture, collective memory, and social cohesion.

Under the leadership of Elder Ilunga Ndalamba Dan, and thanks to the mobilization of the seven stakes of Lubumbashi together with the participation of numerous personalities from political, administrative, academic, media, religious, and community sectors, this activity demonstrated that family history can become a powerful instrument for bringing generations closer together and strengthening social bonds.

Wote Pamoja – Hadisi Moja.

Together, One Story.

A story to know.
A story to preserve.
A story to pass on.