Volunteers Race Against Time to Save Congo's TV Archives

Since 2019, volunteers have been engaged in a critical mission to preserve thousands of fragile archive tapes at the former headquarters of Tele Congo in Brazzaville. These reels, stacked floor to ceiling, represent a priceless testament to central African history, documenting events from the French colonial era to the post-independence period.

Founded in 1962, Tele Congo was a pioneering television channel in Africa. The archives capture a wide array of content, including sports, concerts, and news broadcasts. However, after the broadcaster relocated in 2009, the invaluable tapes were left to deteriorate in the dilapidated building.

Faced with crumbling infrastructure and the humid equatorial climate, volunteers like Hassim Tall Boukambou and Blanbert Banakissa are meticulously cleaning and identifying the tapes. Their urgent work aims to prevent further loss of historical footage and to eventually digitize the collection, ensuring this heritage is accessible to younger Africans.

The archivists hope to collaborate with France's National Broadcasting Institute for digitization. They emphasize the importance of delving into their history to equip the continent's largely young population with the knowledge to face current challenges.