By Eloge Willy Kaneza
PORTLAND, Maine — When Athanase Kadita Tshibaka reflects on his life — from a fragile childhood in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the corridors of global banking — he returns to a single, unshakable conviction: everything, he says, has been “by God’s grace.”
That belief anchors his memoir, Son of the Congo, a deeply personal account of hardship, perseverance, and unlikely opportunity. More than a life story, Tshibaka says, the book is a message to future generations — starting with his own children and grandchildren — about identity, faith and responsibility.
“I wanted them to know their roots,” Tshibaka said in an interview with Amjambo Africa. “I am a son of the Congo, and they are too.”
Photo | Courtesy of Athanase Kadita Tshibaka
Tshibaka’s early years in the Congo were marked by loss. His father died when he was three years old, leaving his mother to raise five children in difficult conditions. Rather than remarry, as tradition often dictated, she chose to remain independent — a decision that would shape her son’s understanding of resilience. “She was industrious, resourceful and generous,” he recalled. “I learned from watching her survive and provide, despite everything.”
Childhood for Tshibaka was defined by instability and scarcity. At times, he lived with relatives, moving from place to place. Food was not guaranteed. He remembers competing with older children for meals, often going hungry. In one severe period, malnutrition left him so weak that his mother feared he would not survive. “If you saw me then,” he said, “you would think I was one of those children you see in famine posters.”
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Education came in fragments. As a young boy, he attended school only on Wednesdays, the day students were given a biscuit and a small portion of milk. Still, those moments planted the seeds of a lifelong pursuit of learning.
His path would eventually lead far beyond his village. After excelling academically, Tshibaka earned a scholarship to study in the United States. He attended Dartmouth College and later completed an MBA, compressing both degrees into four years in his determination to return home quickly. “I didn’t come to America to stay,” he said. “My goal was always to go back and serve my country.”
But the journey was far from linear. After graduating, Tshibaka turned down multiple job offers, uncertain of his next step and facing the possibility of leaving the United States. It was a moment of deep uncertainty,one he now describes as another test of faith.
Then came an unexpected opportunity: a position with Citibank, helping expand banking operations in the Congo. That chance launched a long international career in finance.
Throughout the book, Tshibaka emphasizes that his achievements were not solely the result of hard work, but of what he sees as divine intervention. “I did not choose Dartmouth. I did not choose banking,” he said. “God orchestrated those steps.”
His career, however, was not without hardship. Tshibaka recounts periods of imprisonment and political turmoil that tested both his endurance and his beliefs. During those times, he relied heavily on his faith and on the support of his wife and colleagues. He also credits a longtime mentor and former supervisor who later settled in Maine. The mentor’s steadfast support, including regular visits during his imprisonment, left a lasting mark on Tshibaka’s life and career.
He found perspective in unlikely places, including Henri Charrière’s book Papillon, which chronicles extreme prison conditions. Comparing his own situation to the conditions described in the book helped Tshibaka reframe his suffering. “I told myself, ‘What can I complain about?’” he said.
Today, Tshibaka speaks not only as a former banker but also as an advocate for ethical leadership. He argues that, in an era where people often prioritize financial success above integrity, character must remain central. “Knowing the right thing and doing the right thing — that is what matters,” he said. “You should be able to go home and look at yourself in the mirror without regret.”
His reflections extended to the broader narrative of the Congo, a country he describes as both immensely rich and deeply impoverished. While he acknowledges the lasting impacts of colonialism, he believes responsibility also lies with post-independence leadership, saying,“We have to ask ourselves what we have done with what we have.”
Photo: Amazon
Despite these challenges, Tshibaka remains cautiously optimistic. He points to growing efforts in sectors like banking and microfinance to expand access to financial services. “There is progress,” he said. “And that gives me hope.”
He calls on members of the African diaspora to stay connected to their roots and contribute to development efforts back home. “We are blessed to bless,” he said.
Tshibaka is scheduled to visit Portland, Maine on May 23, where he will present Son of the Congo and engage with local African communities.
As he looks back on his journey, his message remains consistent: life is not meant to be lived for oneself alone. “This life is short. We must live it in a way that benefits others.”
