It was a bad choice of Lutumba to put him as president of Bana OK. But on the other side it will boost Manda Chante's career. What will happen with Wenge Reference ?

This makes absolutely no sense...

At least give a chance and see what he comes up with before writing him off. Simaro had his reasons for choosing Manda over all the guys who were already there. And going by all his previous albums, Manda is a pretty decent musician who only needs a bit of good luck going his way.

Have albums with Wenge Reference and Bana Ok. Pull a Wemba

 

I like Manda but this is most definitely not earned...

 from what i heard papa lutumba gave it to manda because manda was already coming very often to his concerts and rehearsals and he thought the group liked him and since he is a bigger name that them all he thought it would be easy to let him become the leader,while musicians being how they are  all of a sudden pulled their yankee side which never existed when manda was visiting
and i also heard that his other choice was reddy but reddy's temper made him prefer manda who is a little bit calmer

from what i heard papa lutumba gave it to manda because manda was already coming very often to his concerts and rehearsals and he thought the group liked him and since he is a bigger name that them all he thought it would be easy to let him become the leader,while musicians being how they are  all of a sudden pulled their yankee side which never existed when manda was visiting
and i also heard that his other choice was reddy but reddy's temper made him prefer manda who is a little bit calmer

Rightfully so on their part being bayankees; basically to them he got the band from participation points. Yeah, Manda is respected, but this is above and beyond tbh. They've must've though nothing of his visits beforehand

It was a bad choice of Lutumba to put him as president of Bana OK. But on the other side it will boost Manda Chante's career. What will happen with Wenge Reference ?

Boost his career, idk about that. Sankara and other spokesman were already cracking indirect jokes when we first heard the announcement.

I think most people are hard-pressed to name multiple noteworthy musicians from Wenge Reference

All Manda needs to do now is put his foot down and develop a ruthless streak. The band is his now. he is the leader. Those who show even the slightest signs of insubordination should be brutally axed from the group. Bring in a lot of fresh blood to challenge the existing crop & systematically & methodically push the old guards to the periphery & eventually uproot them completely.
That's how his peers established themselves at the top of the food chain. But if he chooses to play Mr. Nice Guy, soon enough everyone will challenge his authority & the group will collapse in no time.

While at it he should also consider releasing an album under Bana OK as soon as possible because everyone is keen to see the direction they will take under the new leader.

Wrong choice Manda will always be Wenge.He cant just push older guys out.This is the end of Bana Ok as I see it

I've spent some time with Papa Simaro some years back in his home.  He was still pretty active, but you can tell his career was winding down; now we're here.

Let's be honest, who in Bana OK could he give the band to? There were no known stars.  The stars he did have: Pepe Ndombe has passed on, Josky is sick and is basically retired, Shakembo and Elba defected and went to Europe, are mostly in their 60s.  Shame on him for not grooming someone, but who was worthy of that honor?  You also have to look at the other popular bands who have lost leaders in the last 20 years.  OK Jazz is now run by Franco's son (who doesn't perform at all) after Youlou suffered a stroke, Empire Bakuba and Victoria Eleison are quiet and Tabu Ley's L'Afrisa International is defunct.  Perhaps Bana OK could've went to Baby Ndombe, but he hasn't been productive. 

As for Manda being Wenge, I have YET to see a younger Wenge generation singer who sticks to the Wenge format.  Many of those singers embrace the Odemba style so I can see how easy it is for Manda to transition especially since he's already been singing Dalienst's songs.  I say give him a chance.