Nominated among the ‘2016 Best people choice actor’ and ‘Best 10 male actors’ in the Rwanda Movie Awards, Emmy Ndayizeye can be regarded as one of the most talented and successful Rwandan actors in this country.

He has been part of the cast in several movies including ‘Igikomere,’‘Gica,’‘Araziriki,’‘Umugabo w’ ijambo’ rye’ a tribute to President Paul Kagame, Giramata, and City maid that is currently showing on RTV. He shared with Sunday Magazine’s Sharon Kantengwa his journey as an entertainer.

How and when did you begin acting?

With a professional background in construction, my dreams were far from being an actor. My sister took me for auditions but I failed several times while on set, and that discouraged me. To this day, I do not know why my sister and friends saw so much potential in me, because they kept pushing me to try.

My several attempts at the auditions eventually earned me my first acting gig in the movie ‘Birakaze’. That was my biggest motivator and I began to view acting in a different manner. It became my passion and I decided that it was going to be my profession and that people would identify me as an actor.

How was your experience in the acting field been like?

"Igikomere” was the first movie that I acted as the main actor. It became easy for me because it involved a lot of crying. I gained fame because of that and pity from my audience.

Giramata was my favourite because it was a message of love triumphing over hatred. Acting has given a platform to educate people and I get excited when people call me telling me how I give them hope when they are desperate, he says.

Share with us your journey as a traditional dancer. Is this something you have always wanted to do?

I loved dancing since I was a child but in 2007, I started dancing in church. I started learning the Kinyarwanda traditional dancing, as early as seven years old. I later joined Ingazo Ngali where I met my wife Aline Sangwa who I share the same passion with, and together we founded the Intayoberana Cultural Troupe where I am a traditional dancer and trainer.

Have your dreams been achieved through the Intayoberana Cultural Troupe?

We see our troupe as a way of enabling us sustain our culture. The troupe currently has 48 members and has participated in the Livingstone International Cultural and Arts festival in Livingstone, Zambia.

My experience has also taught me to socialize with many people from different walks of life and I have come to realize that when one is determined no matter what you pass through the dreams becomes true.

How do you envision your future career now?

My journey in acting and traditional dancing is so far promising, but I now want to concentrate also on my modelling career because I believe that I have what it takes. I have been doing commercials for companies since 2008, but more like a hobby because I love the camera. It is time for me to take it serious.