Alphonse Ilunga was born on 25 December 1931[1] in Tshikapa, Kasai, Belgian Congo[2] into the Katawa clan of the Lulua.
[4] His familial relations to the customary chief Kalamba Mangole contributed to his political success.
[3] He participated in the Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference from January to February 1960 as a delegate for the Parti National du Progrès.
Following the dismissal of the Lumumba Government in September, he was made Minister of Art, Culture, and Sports under Joseph Iléo.
[6] In June 1964 he was elected to the steering committee of the press and propaganda arm of the Rassemblement des démocrates congolaise (RADECO).