The death of Samy Mikobi, nicknamed Le Stratège, plunged the world of Congolese showbiz into sadness on May 11. Jean-Pierre Eale Ikabe, cultural journalist, paid tribute to the man in one of his columns in 2019. He describes Samy Mikobi as someone who knew how to manipulate his interpersonal skills to create a network of influential and useful relationships .
Samy Mikobi is a native of the commune of Bandalungwa, and he attended the Athénée de Kalina/Gombe, where he had the opportunity to mix with children from a certain class of society. he began his professional career in ACEC, the Belgian electricity company represented in ex-Zaire by Papa Ngonda. In 1990, he started working at Socodam, a structure whose center of interest is customs, where he still works today.
Samy Mikobi had a large network of relationships, which was not limited to the world of Congolese showbiz. He was a friend of Papa Wemba, and was one of the few where the musician could go to rest. Although accommodating, Samy Mikobi has been able to work effectively in various influential circles, not hesitating to combine business with pleasure.
His loyalty in friendship was natural, and he was very close to Samy Badibanga, the honorary Prime Minister and now Vice-President of the Senate.
Following Papa Wemba’s funeral, Jean-Pierre Eale Ikabe found Samy Mikobi at the funeral of Patchely Madilu. Always true to himself, he had retained his impeccable style. The author of the tribute concluded by emphasizing that Samy Mikobi was skilled in managing the projects entrusted to him.
The death of Samy Mikobi is a loss for the world of art and entertainment, but also for all the people who knew and appreciated him.