Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Footballer describes the election of his father who came to Belgium as a refugee from the DRC The father of Vincent Kompany the captain of Manchester City and a star of the Belgian national football team has been elected as Belgium’s first black mayor in what has been described as a “historic” moment for the country a mechanical engineer born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the country’s first sub-Saharan-born bourgmestre was celebrated by his son in a video message in which he spoke three languages Kompany fils who was born in the Brussels suburb of Uccle who is also a professional footballer in the Belgian leagues “Just for the guys abroad: he is the first black mayor in Brussels,” he said This article includes content provided by Instagram We ask for your permission before anything is loaded as they may be using cookies and other technologies The footballer added in a short written statement: “History Now you have won the trust of your commune by becoming the first black mayor elected in Belgium Racism in Belgium has been the subject of debate in recent months. The newspaper Le Soir used its entire front page last month to call for an end to bigotry after the country’s only black presenter on francophone television, Cécile Djunga, gave an emotional account of her first year as the main weather presenter on the public service broadcaster RTBF I’ve got a good one for you today,” she had told her followers in a Facebook post viewed over 2m times before recounting the tale of a woman who had called in days earlier to complain that the presenter was “too black and all people could see were my clothes” the new mayor said he would focus on cleaning up the environment in his commune He said: “We worked hard during this campaign but I did not think it would be enough to become mayor We have addressed people from all races and communities who is already a local councillor and an MP in the Brussels parliament added that he wanted an “intergenerational community in which young people and the elderly go hand in hand with each other” “This mayoralty is proof that people appreciate what I do,” he added the Belgian MEP who leads the Greens in the European parliament said he believed the election was a sign that his country was changing “It is symbolically important because it is a fact that Belgium has not done a very good job in integrating people of different origins It is quite obvious when you look at the UK in comparison “But I would also say that the fact that the two leaders of the greens in Brussels are women of Turkish and Moroccan origin is a sign that things are changing.” Vincent Kompany had spoken of being the target of racist abuse when he first started in the game “Whenever we played matches outside Brussels we got dog’s abuse from our opponents’ parents “Boys of 11 or 12 were being called ‘dirty niggers’ They also claimed the African lads were older than the ages in their passports also told of other difficulties in his childhood “My parents split up when I was 14,” he said so I didn’t feel alone and I took refuge in football I was thrown out of school and had to repeat a year and lost my place in the Belgium youth team.” who was standing on a non-partisan “pro-Ganshoren” ticket was taking part in local elections in which the main winners were the Greens and the far left and the far right a party of centre-right liberals of which the Belgian prime minister appeared to be a main loser in Brussels ahead of the national elections next May Soldiers and police in Brussels held an orgy while their colleagues hunted for terror suspects Brussels was on lockdown at the time of the alleged incident the Ganshoren station was transformed into a makeshift barracks for soldiers who were patroling the streets of the Belgian capital after the government raised the threat level to four — the highest level — on November 21 The threat level was lowered to three on November 26 During that time bars were told to close early schools and the entire metro system were shut Police spokesman Johan Berckmans told De Morgen that 15 to 20 soldiers had been staying at the police station during the two-week period and that an internal investigation had been launched into the allegations The Belgian army has already faced criticism over the conduct of its soldiers during the anti-terror operation. An investigation was launched after a uniformed soldier was pictured with a shopping bag while on patrol in Brussels. You can buy a Donald Trump watch. You cannot buy an Ursula von der Leyen watch. Why not? POLITICO has reviewed the declarations of interest of every European Commission nominee. Keir Starmer’s sausages/hostages mix-up was a gaffe for the ages. who also happens to be father of one of the country’s best known footballers doesn’t want to be known for his son’s fame or his race he just wants to be a local representative lamenting the lack of diversity in politics as a student fleeing Mobutu Sese Seko’s regime he’d been imprisoned for over a year for his role in protests against the dictator he drove a taxi for five years to pay for his studies completing his engineering degree at the age of 34 his son was kicked out of school and lost his place in the Belgian youth team He entered city politics in 2006 when he was elected as a councilor and then won a seat in the Brussels regional parliament in 2014 Kompany ran an independent campaign on very local issues such as childcare He is adamant that he doesn’t want his experiences as a black man in Belgium to be turned into an exception the against-the-odds story who made it in spite of his race but will never quite be free of that burden This might be because you have entered the web address incorrectly or the page has moved Please contact us or visit our homepage View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vincent Kompany (@vincentkompany) (ANS – Bruxelles) – On the occasion of Don Bosco’s feast 2025 Don Bosco International (DBI) welcomed to Brussels Piero Fabris and Marco Ferrarato respectively Executive Director and Administrator of DB Tech Europe Piero and Marco held six official meetings with: the Italian Ambassador Federica Favi the Vice-President of the European Parliament Antonella Sberna the Member of the Parliament (MEP) Benedetta Scuderi the Councillor at the Apostolic Nunciature before the EU Mgr and the COMECE Secretary General Fr Manuel Enrique Barrios Prieto These meetings aimed of reinforcing and establishing new institutional contacts precious to advocate for the rights and better future of young people Every representative received the ‘Hidden Diamonds’ book which encompasses 200 dreams of young people collected by the Youth Ministry Dep. as well as the invitation to visit our local Salesian realities around the world it emerged the importance of investing in advocacy to effectively promote: more funds for vocational training quality education inclusive youth participation for those in situations of poverty and social marginalization constructive and sustainable partnerships with the private sector new solutions for the challenges of migration targeted to guarantee the respect for human rights a constant dialogue with the institutions that can value diversity and peace we had the pleasure of visiting the Don Bosco Brussel school in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (BEN Province) where we were warmly welcomed by the Director and his team DBI and Don Bosco Tech Europe hosted a public event at the Chapel for Europe in Brussels titled "Migration & Vocational Education and Training: Challenges and Opportunities for a Human Rights-Based Europe." Expert speakers such as Piero Fabris - Executive Director of DB Tech Europe Theodor Grassos - Secretary General of the European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training (EVBB) Giulia Meschino - Secretary General of the European Vocational Training Association (EVTA) Alberto Ares SJ - Regional Director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe addressed one of Europe’s most pressing issues: migration and its intersection with vocational education and training (VET) facing the dual challenges of managing migration and addressing labor market demands The increasing polarization of migration narratives and the push for legal pathways to attract skilled professionals from non-EU countries all highlight the complexities of the current situation The speakers contributed valuable insights on how a human rights-based approach can ensure inclusive integration for young people with a migratory background while tackling the skill shortages and workforce diversification needed to sustain Europe’s productivity The discussion emphasized the importance of creating inspiring role models and mentors able to generate trust and confidence in learners facilitating inclusive environments within companies and training centres promoting collaborative approach with local communities Unity among civil society and faith-based actors is crucial to boost policies that respect human dignity and provide fair opportunities for all which was followed by the Eucharistic celebration for St animated by Joaquim Lesne and the FMA Sisters of Ganshoren The mass was celebrated by Fr Bart Decancq and concelebrated by Mgr John Baptist Itaruma Councillor at the Apostolic Nunciature before the EU Rector of the Salesian Community of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert We were delighted for the active participation of numerous members of the Salesian family and young people from the SDB MOR Province We thank all participants for making the celebration of the Don Bosco’s feast joyful and filled with enthusiasm The recording of the event is available on YouTube ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements Belgian police denied claims that soldiers and police took part in an orgy while Brussels was at the highest level of terror alert in November A police spokesperson told Belgian media on Wednesday that no orgy took place but the officers were having drinks to honor a colleague who was leaving Rumors about the orgy were started by “certain female police officers, jealous for not having been invited to the evening,” Johan De Becker, chief of the Brussels West policing zone, told the Brussels newspaper La Capitale In December, it was reported that eight soldiers and two female police officers allegedly engaged in lewd acts at a police station in the neighborhood of Ganshoren where officers were hunting for suspects following the November 13 Paris attacks A spokesperson confirmed that soldiers had stayed overnight at the police station in Ganshoren so they did not have to travel to their barracks after their shift ended The investigation into the claims is ongoing Mark Rutte says it not all about France and Germany News comes as Angela Merkel is hoping to get the final sign-off on coalition deal with SPD French MEP claims the Patriots have some 6,500 members the Ganshoren station was transformed into a makeshift barracks for soldiers who were patroling the streets of the Belgian capital… The European Union hub has had difficulty jettisoning its keystone cop image when it comes to security Belgian soldier doing some Christmas shopping [468 x 264] - #army #military pic.twitter.com/wDnQXBezpm “[The] Belgian soldier seen with a shopping bag while on anti-terrorist patrol in Brussels has been returned to his unit, pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation,” Politico reported last week. CategoriesCategoriesEnglishECONOMY, SOCIETYRental prices rise across Belgium as gap between housing supply and demand rises6 September 2024 The private rental market is slowing down across Belgium due to a lack of housing supply according to a study by real estate federations CIB and Federia Brussels and the surrounding provinces remain the most expensive places in the country to rent there were 20,600 new rental contracts signed in Flanders a drop of more than 35 per cent compared to spring 2023 with Federia noting a similar fall in Wallonia we reaped the benefits of a long period of low interest rates,” says CIB spokesperson Kristophe Thijs as rising interest rates deterred investors and new construction and conversion projects slowed down partly due to the increasing cost of materials and personnel This is worrying as the gap between supply and demand for rental properties continues to widen,” says Thijs “Brussels is particularly vulnerable because opportunities for supply expansion in an urban context are not there the biggest challenge for Brussels is to make the investment climate more attractive steps backwards rather than forwards have been taken in this respect.” a number of players in the property sector have called on the new regional government to address the fall in housing affordability The sector says it is waiting for “concrete The federations’ rental barometers also looked at average rents around the country Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is the most expensive place in Brussels to rent a home Ixelles and Uccle follow with averages of around 1,350 euros Anderlecht and Ganshoren have average rents of less than 1,000 euros Flemish Brabant remains the most expensive province to rent Leuven is the most expensive and saw the largest price increase since the last barometer The average price for a flat in central Leuven this spring was 1,158 euros Mechelen and Ghent are approaching that mark and may reach it this autumn Walloon Brabant remains the most expensive province in Wallonia compared with rents of between 762 and 800 euros in the region’s other provinces Copy linkGet updates in your mailboxYour email addressSubscribeBy clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media not to mention entertainment and lifestyle our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language businesses and various organisations that need reliable information Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs www.belganewsagency.eu The page you are looking for cannot be found You may have followed a broken or outdated link US Edition UK Edition Scottish Sun Irish SunSearchMy Account Football Premier Leagueproud son Manchester City news: Vincent Kompany’s father becomes Belgium’s first black mayorPierre Kompany was elected mayor of Ganshoren - a town of around 25,000 people within the Brussels region Vincent Kompany's father has become the first black mayor in Belgium The Manchester City captain posted a video on Instagram congratulating his father on his election win Pierre Kompany was elected mayor of Ganshoren - a town of around 25,000 people within the Brussels region The 71-year-old arrived in Belgium as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1975 before becoming a local councillor in 2006 and then winning a seat in the Brussels regional parliament in 2014 Kompany, who represents the Belgium national side Now gained the trust of your local community becoming the first ever black elected mayor in Belgium "It was long over due but it’s progress who features alongside him in the Instagram video is also a professional footballer and plays for Belgian side KSV Roeselare Two policewomen and eight soldiers alleged to have engaged in group sex while colleagues hunted for Paris terror attack suspects Soldiers and police officers in Brussels held an orgy while the city was in lockdown over fears of a Paris-style attack by Islamist extremists Two female police officers and eight soldiers are said to have engaged in group sex at a police station in the Brussels neighbourhood of Ganshoren while colleagues hunted for terror suspects The police station was near Molenbeek where anti-terror raids had been taking place Police spokesman Johan Berckmans told De Standaard that 15 to 20 soldiers slept at the station for two weeks during the operation in November so they did not have to travel far at the end of their shift “When they left, they organised a small party to thank the police in the area,” the spokesman told Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure “We have launched an investigation to find out what exactly happened.” The Belgian capital was on the highest level of alert last month after the Paris attacks that left 130 people dead At least three of the nine men suspected of carrying out the attacks were based in Brussels and thousands of armed police and soldiers in the streets the father of football star Vincent Kompany and mayor of the Brussels municipality of Ganshoren says that Belgium should apologise for its colonial past in Congo Pierre Kompany estimates that the Belgian state and King Filip should apologise for the atrocities taking place in Congo Free State under the reign of King Leopold II we would come out of this even better" Kompany (Francophone christian democrats) calls the colonial past "an embarrassing reality" He thinks apologies would come down well with the present Congolese population Kompany moved from Congo to Belgium in 1975 as a political refugee He is a Brussels MP and became Belgium's first black mayor in 2018 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.