A Sudden Loss Felt City-Wide
Brazzaville woke up stunned after Thursday’s announcement that Vichèle Mampouya, 39, had died unexpectedly on 23 October 2025. Social networks filled with condolences within minutes of the family statement released early Friday.
Her father, former minister and PSVR president Michel Mampouya, confirmed the news, speaking of “an irreplaceable light” in the family. Local radio stations interrupted programming to deliver the update, underscoring the impact the Mampouya name still carries in the capital.
No official medical details have been disclosed. Relatives simply speak of a “sudden complication” that required urgent care late Wednesday night, ending tragically before dawn at the Brazzaville University Hospital (family communiqué, 24 Oct 2025).
A Career Carved in the Skies
Born in 1986, Vichèle studied business administration in Casablanca before joining ECAIR in 2014, just as the airline was expanding regional routes. Colleagues remember her as a meticulous planner who could “turn a delayed flight into an opportunity,” recalls former crew chief Sandra Mindou (interview, 24 Oct 2025).
She rose quickly to duty-manager level, overseeing operations on the busy Brazzaville-Dubai corridor. When the airline paused activity in 2016, Vichèle chose to stay, helping coordinate the restart project that finally took off in 2022.
ECAIR’s current CEO, Captain Éric Kami, said the company has lost “one of the quiet architects of our recovery,” and promised a tribute video on the airline’s social platforms this weekend.
Roots in Public Service
The Mampouya family name resonates beyond aviation. Michel Mampouya served successively as minister, vice-president of the Economic and Social Council, and founder of the PSVR. Friends say his daughter inherited his sense of duty but preferred working away from politics.
Neighbor Blandine Ngoma, who has known the family for three decades, says Vichèle often organized back-to-school drives for children in Makélékélé. “She never wanted cameras, just results,” Ngoma notes, standing outside the family home.
Political figures from across parties, including National Assembly vice-speaker Léonidas Motoka, have sent messages of sympathy, a sign of quiet unity at difficult times.
Vigil at Rue Biza, Makélékélé
Since dawn, relatives, co-workers and friends file through the gate at 991 rue Biza, a modest two-storey home tucked behind mango trees. White tents shield mourners from the midday heat while a small choir hums spirituals.
Inside the courtyard, framed photos trace Vichèle’s journey: graduation in Morocco, her first ECAIR badge, and a recent holiday in Pointe-Noire. An emotions book lies open for visitors to leave a thought or prayer.
Security is discreet. Two officers from the first arrondissement gently guide traffic towards Avenue Fulbert-Youlou, allowing mini-buses and taxis to keep moving despite the crowd gathering near Marché Bourreau.
Awaiting Burial Details
The family has not yet fixed an interment date. A provisional programme, shared with our newsroom at noon, indicates that an ecumenical service could be held at Saint-Kisito Church, subject to parish availability.
Brazzaville’s municipal cemetery of Itatolo is mentioned as the probable resting place, pending administrative confirmation. Undertaker firms contacted say the process typically requires three working days once civil registry papers are signed.
City Hall’s civil‐status office confirms the declaration of death is complete, ensuring no delay on the certificate side, an often overlooked but essential step for families in grief.
Community Support and Practical Help
Several associations have offered assistance. The Women in Aviation Network is coordinating transport for ECAIR staff wanting to attend the vigil, while the Makélékélé Youth Council provides bottled water and seating.
Pastor Jonas Loubassa, who will likely lead prayers, urges empathy: “Loss isolates. A short visit, a kind word, or even sharing a memory can ease the family’s burden,” he told reporters at the scene.
Psychologist Diane Tchissé warns against neglecting one’s own emotions after a sudden death. She recommends the free counselling line launched last year by the Health Ministry, reachable on 3434 from any network, 24 hours a day.
Tributes Across Media and Sport
On local FM, pop star Rebo Tchulo dedicated her latest single to Vichèle, saying the two met during a charity gala. Club 87, the Brazzaville football side, observed a minute of silence before Friday training because a former player is a cousin of the deceased.
Television station TéléCongo plans a special montage this evening, mixing archive footage of Michel Mampouya in cabinet meetings with private family photos kindly supplied for the occasion.
Social media tributes rise by the hour under the hashtag #VicheleForever, trending regionally. Friends post anecdotes of cancelled flights made tolerable by her reassuring voice over the intercom.
Keeping Memories Alive
Family members hint at a scholarship fund in Vichèle’s name to support young women in aviation. Details remain sketchy, but ECAIR’s board signals willingness to contribute, aligning with its corporate social responsibility goals.
Historian Jules Kouka sees in such initiatives a link between generations: “We remember her father’s public service in the ’90s; a scholarship would project that legacy into the future,” he explained on Radio Congo.
While plans mature, handwritten candles continue to illuminate the veranda nightly, each flame representing a life touched by hers, a symbolic runway guiding loved ones through grief.
What Families Should Know
Lawyer Clément Obemba reminds mourners that the law allows two working days off for close relatives, extendable upon employer approval, a useful point for those travelling from Pointe-Noire or Owando.
Funeral expert Aimé Bikouta recommends verifying cemetery tariffs in advance to avoid last-minute surprises. Current municipal rates vary between 75,000 and 120,000 FCFA, depending on plot size.
The Red Cross branch in Brazzaville maintains a roster of volunteers ready to manage large gatherings. Their hotline is 0404, especially relevant if attendance exceeds 500, as anticipated.
Next Hours in Brazzaville
By Friday evening, the vigil will extend into a night of gospel and testimonies. Saturday morning, a city bus line adjustment may be announced to serve rue Biza directly, easing access for elderly visitors.
Local bakeries prepare additional bread orders; experience shows vigils can boost neighborhood demand by 30 percent. Street vendors near Marché Bourreau expect brisk sales of soft drinks and flowers.
Above all, residents repeat a simple phrase: “Tokobeta motema makasi” — let us keep a strong heart. In Brazzaville, solidarity often writes the closing lines of sorrowful chapters.
