It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our colleague, mentor and one of the Congolese demography’s fathers, Professor Séraphin Ngondo Pitshandenge Iman in Kinshasa on January 8, 2018. Emeritus Professor since 2010, Professor Ngondo led the Department of Demography (currently Department of Population and Development Studies) of the University of Kinshasa from 1984-1989. First Congolese Doctor in Demography (in 1980), Professor Ngondo was an excellent pedagogue, and a renowned researcher. He has taught several courses among which introduction to demography, data collection, survey practice, the demographic profile of African countries, and demographic perspectives in several Congolese universities (University of Kinshasa, Catholic University of Congo, University of Bandundu, University of Mbuji Mayi, etc.). Seraphin Ngondo has distinguished himself through the scientific and methodological rigor of his scientific work, particularly in the field of nuptiality, sexuality, family and gender. Among his works, we can quote: "Nuptiality and fertility of polygamous. The case of Popokabaka Yaka "; Polyandry among Bashilele people of Kasaï in the Democratic Republic of Congo; "Marriage, Sexuality and Status of Women in Congolese Urban Settings - Changes in Continuity"; "Dynamics of family structures and women's access to education"; "Friendships, sexuality and abortion in schools. The case of the city of Kikwit "; "Reproductive health, HIV / AIDS and STIs among university students"; and Projection of Zairean population 1984-1999 and Electoral Population in 1993 and 1994. Professor Ngondo in Pitshandenge supervised the Western Demographic Study of Zaire (EDOZA) conducted 1974-1977. Professor Ngondo is the initiator of the Youth Center for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Kinshasa (Coulibally Center).
Séraphin Ngondo a Pitshandenge supervised the UAPS Small Grants Programme on Population and Development for junior researchers (SGPPJ) for Central African region from 1987-1998. He has participated in several UAPS conferences as well as the International Union for the Scientific Study of the Population (IUSSP) conferences on population and development from Bucharest (1974) to Cairo (1994) through Mexico (1984).
He left a widow, several children and grandchildren. We lost, a colleague, a mentor and advisor, and a father! May his soul rest in peace!