Télé Zaïre

Background
Télé Zaire was the only television broadcaster in the Republic of Zaire from 1972. After 1981, the channel was known as OZRT, standing for Office Zaïrois de Radio Télévision. During the 1970s, each broadcast from the channel started with an image of Mobutu Sese Seko, the dictator of Zaire, descending from the clouds. In 1997, a coup that ended Mobutu's regime also brought reformations to national broadcasting and OZRT ceased operations and was succeeded by the RTNC.

1st Logo (1980s)


Visuals: On a white background, a map of Zaire in green with copies of the map is shown as a white line with 3 circle outlines at the center (also having copies of it) is shown going to the map. Once the line is done, the white text

Times New Roman Times New Roman

wipes next to the line. Then the logo fades to a river in Zaire with a strange-looking shape in and  (including the line with the circle outlines from before) as the text "Times New Roman" slides to the orange shape. The background fades to a load of newspapers scattered everywhere. Afterwards, the text "Times New Roman" slides to the shape. The logo fades to a dark yellow background with the Zaire map in and the text " o  z  r  t " zooms out to reveal the text in  and the map in. The logo fades to a black background with the "Justice Paix Travail" seal at the center. After a few seconds, the logo finally fades to the Zaire flag waving on a black background. The text

élé  tz   aïre

wipes in as the flag waves.

Technique: A mix of cel animation, computer animation, scanmate effects, and live action footage.

Audio: A trumpet theme, specifically the anthem of Zaire known as La Zaïroise.

2nd Logo (1993)


Visuals: The text "Télé Zaire" in white forms letter by letter over a green background. The screen quickly fades and footage of Mobutu, a factory, a forest and animals is seen.

Technique: Computer animation and live action footage.

Audio: A short brass fanfare.

Availability: Sourced from a TV DX recording from 1993.

3rd Logo (early/mid 1990s-1997)


Visuals: On a space background, the Zaire badge located at the center zooms out as 3 spheres get to the center. Then the white text " oz rt " gets in front of the spheres, leaving off the chrome trail. The logo goes static for 16 seconds before fading.

Technique: A mix of cel animation and scanimate effects.

Audio: A quiet flute theme, specifically the anthem of Zaire known as La Zaïroise.