Hermès Itina Mayamba, Church Member and Stake President, is Elected Member of Parliament in DR Congo

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages its members, wherever they live in the world, to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues, voting in elections, participating in governance processes and (as they desire) seeking elected, appointed, or voluntary office.

Hermès Itina Mayamba, a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has followed this counsel. During the DR Congo national election of December 20, 2023, he was elected as a member of parliament in the National Assembly, representing one of the 19 electoral districts of the Tshangu District of Kinshasa.

Brother Itina Mayamba joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002 when he was 14, along with his entire family. After his baptism, he was ordained a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He remembers very clearly his service of preparing, blessing, and distributing the sacrament. Seminary and Institute programs were a great blessing to him growing up. He served a full-time mission in Cape Town, South Africa from 2011 to 2013.

On February 5, 2023, he was called to serve as president of the Mpasa Stake (in The Church of Jesus Christ, a stake is equivalent to a diocese), and he continues to serve in this capacity today. Previously, he served as Director of Public Affairs for the Kinshasa Coordination Council, stake high councilor, stake executive secretary, and stake music director.

He is married to Rachel Ntumba Tshimungu whom he met in a stake choir. Together they have four children, two girls and two boys (Justicia, Hermès Jr, Olea, and Olam). In 2014, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Johannesburg Temple. “I love my wife and my children very much,” he said. He was born and raised in Kinshasa where he has lived his entire life.

In his professional life, in 2018 he created an NGO called Break the Chain of Poverty (BCP) which works in education, the supply of drinking water, health care, orphanages, food security. He has founded seven private schools to improve the quality of education for children in poor neighborhoods of Kinshasa.

Regarding his goals and objectives for the community, he said, “My fight is to eradicate poverty through the promotion of good education, entrepreneurship, and job creation for the youth, as well as provide public infrastructure, security, justice and freedom accessible to all.”

When asked how he would balance all his heavy responsibilities, he replied, “I have always been very busy before becoming a member of parliament and I have always magnified my callings in the Church. The secret is planning and using your time wisely.”

“My wife plays a very important role. Success also lies in following the Lord’s commandment, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

“I testify,” he continued, “that the Restoration of the gospel actually took place. Joseph Smith was chosen and prepared before the foundation of the world to lead the work of restoration. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and President Russell M. Nelson is God's prophet. Through his teachings and invitations, I have gained an unwavering testimony of the temple. I am deeply grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

The central work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, strengthening individuals and families, and caring for those in need.

The Church does not seek to elect government officials, support, or oppose political parties, or, generally, take sides in global conflicts. The Church is neutral in matters of politics within or between the world’s many nations, lands, and peoples.

It teaches that members should be “subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (Articles of Faith 1:12).