Sandrine Isheja Butera is a household name in the media as one of the best radio presenters in the country. The 26-year- old is popular for her charming and silky voice. She talked to The New Times’ Donah Mbabazi.

Most people know you as a radio personality but who is the real Sandrine Isheja Butera?

I am Sandrine Isheja Butera, single, the last born and only girl in a family of three.

I went to primary school at Ecole La Colombière and ESCAF. Later I did my secondary at APACE and later College Saint André. I studied Journalism and Communication at the former National University of Rwanda. This year, I finished my Master’s degree in Gender studies at University of Rwanda.

How long have you been a journalist or radio presenter?

I started working on radio in 2008; I have been a radio presenter for seven years now. The first radio station I worked for was Radio Salus when I was still at university. In my third year, I went to do my internship at Isango Star and was later offered a job at the end of the internship. In 2013, I was recruited by a Kenyan radio station (KFM) to start the mid-day show. I left KFM for KISS FM in 2014 where I was recruited to present the morning show.

Those who haven’t seen your face, know your voice, how did you achieve such a following?

I think it’s probably because I love what I do and I never stop learning. I never feel like I have reached the peak. Every day I aim higher, every day I want to break my own record. Every day I wake up with the objective of doing better than I did the previous day.

This is a blessing from God. However, it is also scary and challenging because I know that I have to keep on improving. I have to keep it interesting and that requires a lot of work and creativity.

So, why journalism?

I wanted a job that enables me to meet new people every day and to travel. I have always been comfortable in front of crowds. My dream as a kid was to work on an airplane, then it changed to translator and finally I decided that journalism was better.

It is a great job. You have fun, you meet really nice people and most importantly you influence people. It is not an easy job to do especially when you are starting but I guess nothing in this world comes easy, when you work hard it ends up paying.I wish to do it for as long as possible but if God wishes to use me in a different career I will obey his calling.

Why did you opt for radio and not Television?

I like mystery. I like imagination. TV gives you an image immediately, it doesn’t call for your creativity but radio makes you use your imagination.

What challenges come with your job?

Some people still believe that news is more important than other programmes on radio. Radio presenters are not given rightful recognition for their work. People don’t see that radio shows are the ones that play a bigger role in influencing people’s behavior and mentality. Keeping the show interesting for four hours, five days a week is also challenging.

What would you say was your turning point in life?

I remember the day I decided to be a winner. I was just six or seven years old. It was at a wedding ceremony during the "Gutwikurura” ceremony where children and the bride and groom are taken to the bedroom and given milk. That day, some women refused me to go among those children because I did not have a father. In fact, they even started talking about how a child who is raised by a woman doesn’t get far in life. I was deeply hurt but my mother told me that I could be whatever I wanted to become in life. She has always been motivating and supportive. That’s the day I decided to show those women and everyone who thinks like them that you can be raised by a woman and become a successful woman yourself.

Tell us about the lowest and highest moments on your show?

On radio, each day is different. I can’t think of a specific moment right now but the lowest moments of my show are those days when I feel like I could have done better. The highest moments are days when I receive a phone call and the caller gives an amazing and touching testimony. You don’t plan for those moments, they just happen.

What is your message to the young girls who just want to be like you?

To everyone who has a dream, it is possible, be yourself, don’t try to be someone else, don’t copy because you will always be one step behind. Work hard and never stop learning. Be honest, be patient, consistent and work without expecting a reward or recognition. You will succeed.

Tell me that person who inspires you and why?

My mother. She had everything, lost everything during the genocide and then she rebuilt everything from scratch. She is a prayerful woman and she cares for others. She is a strong woman, I rarely see her cry and I always beg her to take a day off because she works too much.

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