2. Mobutu Sese Seko
Originally born as Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, Mobutu was the President of Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (and always a great answer on Pointless). His new name was Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga which translates to “the all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and will to win, will go from contest to contest leaving fire in his wake”, so you know he thought of himself as kind of big deal. His name change was in line with his new law, anyone without an African sounding name was imprisoned. It’s good he didn’t have double standards I suppose, oh wait, yes he did. Another law of his was to ban everyone from wearing a leopard print hat, apart from him. He then used the money saved from making all these hats to finance a boxing match between Muhamad Ali and George Foreman (you know, the grill guy). They were paid $5 million each. For that money you’d think he’d make it more interesting, like Muhamad Ali against one of the Beatles. Ringo could probably do with the work now.
He also decreed that no names were able to be mentioned on TV apart from his and that to begin all evening news, they have to show a scene of him descending from the heavens. Unfortunately I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find this.
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