Maramba Project

Camp Maramba: Lubumbashi

Futur-velours.com (DRC & Belgium) and Waza Centre d’Art (DRC) are partnering with Project Backboard (USA) on Project Camp Maramba, an initiative transforming Lubumbashi’s former railroad workers’ neighborhood through art, sport, and community.
At its core is a basketball court designed by Futur-velours.com, featuring motifs crafted from malachite—reflecting the region’s mineral wealth and cultural complexity. This permanent artwork integrates local minerals, weaving Lubumbashi’s history into public space. The court’s zig-zag patterns, drawn from regional arts and crafts, link local traditions to broader artistic expressions.
To amplify the project’s reach, Project Backboard has funded a series of textile works by Futur-velours.com. These pieces will be exhibited worldwide, raising awareness and attracting further support. Global exhibitions, alongside local workshops, will deepen the initiative’s impact, engaging artists and institutions across contexts.
The basketball court is just the beginning. A broader vision for Camp Maramba includes a master plan to create a vibrant green space where sports, art, and community intersect. Residents and artists will shape this evolving environment together.

Project Camp Maramba celebrates the DRC’s cultural richness while reclaiming artistic heritage. Textile artists from Ilebo (Kasai) bridge past and future, “embroidering the future”