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Farewell to Madame Elombe: Congo mourns beloved TikTok teacher
The Democratic Republic of Congo is mourning the loss of Bonette Élombe, a celebrated primary school teacher from Kinshasa whose joyful teaching style made her a viral sensation on TikTok. Known affectionately as “Madame Élombe,” she passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, after a brief illness.
Élombe taught at Yolo Sud Primary School and became a national icon for her creative classroom videos singing, dancing, and warmly welcoming students by name. Her unique approach, which she called “Méthode Élombe,” emphasized emotional connection, joy, and personalized learning.
With nearly 1.5 million followers and over 100 million views on TikTok, Élombe’s videos resonated far beyond Congo’s borders. Her content showcased a vibrant classroom culture where students felt seen, loved, and motivated to learn.
In one interview, she said:
“When I know my students, they know me too—we become friends. The wall between teacher and student disappears. Teaching becomes singing, dancing, and joy.”
Her passion for teaching ran deep: her mother and grandfather were also educators, and her older sibling encouraged her to pursue the profession. She studied education in Lubumbashi and had over a decade of classroom experience.
The Ministry of Education called her passing “a profound loss,” praising her dedication and impact. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa expressed sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Her creativity and love for teaching made her a role model for educators everywhere.”
Social media was flooded with tributes, including emotional videos of students mourning her death. Her influence was so strong that many saw her as a symbol of hope in a profession often undervalued across Africa.
Despite the challenges of low teacher pay in Congo, Élombe remained optimistic.
“This profession doesn’t pay well,” she once said, “but one day it will reward me. I want to change how people see teaching—it’s not a job for the poor.”
Her words now echo as a call to honor educators who uplift communities through passion and creativity.
The Ministry of Education pledged to preserve her legacy:
“Her memory will live on in our hearts and in the spirit of Congo’s schools.”
Madame Élombe’s story is a reminder that teaching is not just about knowledge, it’s about love, connection, and the courage to inspire.
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