We, Rwandans, collectively know that “a nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people and the quality of its leaders which ensure it an honorable place in history.” (Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 1963).
We, Rwandans, collectively know that "a nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people and the quality of its leaders which ensure it an honorable place in history.” (Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 1963).
What Rwanda and the rest of the world have seen in the past weeks was more than just election rallies. It was the vote of confidence of a nation coming together to show gratitude to a leader who gave us what we had lost for too long: Hope, Joy and Agaciro!
In Kinyarwanda our mother tongue, Agaciro means self-dignity, the deep belief and understanding of who we are, what we stand for, our values, our worth and our aspirations.
We, Rwandans, have chosen a leader who has given us courage, cohesion, and a renewed sense of pride and belonging.
Yes, you hear us well. We are the first generation of Rwandans to ever experience 23 years of continuous peace, unity, social progress and development.
The first to be born free with equal rights and dignity, with equal access to education, healthcare and security across the country. The first to have a government which is accountable to its citizens.
The first to travel across the continent with a sense of pride and dignity and to see Africans coming to Rwanda freely and without prior visa procedures.
The first to know that we too can play our role on the global stage and take a seat at the table; from the Transform Africa Summit in Kigali, to the United Nations hemicycle, to the World Economic forum in Davos , and numerous other global rendezvous.
We are aware that our parents and the generation before us were not as lucky. They did not have these opportunities! We understand that we are deeply privileged and do not take our responsibilities lightly! For to whom much is given, much will be asked.
And, we are not just Rwandans. We are spread across the world; Cameroonians, Ivoirians, Mauritanians, Malians, Togolese, Senegalese, Nigerians, Kenyans, Somalians, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Belgians, Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Australians.
We do not just clap and cheer, we work, build and move with Rwandans. We believe and support the leadership of President Paul Kagame because we have great respect for a leader who puts his people at the centre and wants the best for his country and continent.
On August 18, 2017, some 20 African Heads of State and Government, and 50,000 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda gathered at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali for the presidential inauguration ceremony, confirming one more time what Mr Adboulaye Mar Dieye stated during the 2017 edition of Youth Connekt Summit in July: "If you want to see Africa on the move come to Rwanda!”
Rwanda is on the move indeed. We are moving forward together, more united and stronger than before. We are writing a new chapter, one that the world is still learning to appreciate but we are not waiting for outside approval, neither are we shaken by the criticism or disdain from outside.
We know that "Pan-Africanism means that we should not accept to be less than what we are capable of being,” as President Kagame rightly put during the same Youth Connekt Africa Summit.
Self-determination for us is more than a reality, it is a lifestyle; we know nothing but Agaciro and true understanding of who we are. We have our destiny in our hands and an unshakable faith in the future of Rwanda and Africa.
We believe in the power of ideas, connections and collective action to build the #AfricaWeWant and the #FutureWeWant. We co-work, co-write, co-create and we stand up bold!
And if they ask you who we are, tell them, we are the #PKGeneration!
The writers are Rwandan professionals, second time voters and World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shapers.