While I stand to recognize and pay tribute to Rwandan Men and Women who selflessly took the fall; restored and defended Rwanda/Rwandans, today, I will emphasise on the role of Umunyarwandakazi at the pinnacle of heroism not in ancient history of Ndabaga but in modern Rwandan history.

Briefly to remind readers that Heroes are categorised in three classes; Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi.

Imanzi

Belonging to this category is the Unknown Soldier—any soldier; young and old, male and female who perished during the RPF liberation struggle and those who may in the future shed blood in a battlefield to defend Rwanda’s sovereignty. It also includes Major General Fred Rwigema, who died on the frontline the day after he launched the liberation struggle in October 1990.

Undoubtedly I hail Gen Fred Rwigema and all the unknown fallen heroes in this category whose lives, whose blood, whose last breath, we owe the Rwanda we have today, the country our children will inherit, and the generations to come.

However, for today, I will illuminate brilliantly the heroism of the Umunyarwandakazi fallen amongst unknown soldiers in IMANZI whose love for her country, the vigour to restore Rwanda’s dignity surpassed her physical inabilities and the traditional stereotypes about women.

Umunyarwandazi left her comfort and safe zone, left her father’s home, abandoned her career, bid farewell to her husband, and her children, she took the oath to liberate the country at any cost, at any price. To the unknown female soldiers who didn’t make it to the liberation day alive, the ones who short-lived your youthful lives to liberate us, I dedicate this article to you; you are forever appreciated and saluted, for your legacy is raised high at the apex of heroism.

Imena

This category comprises of heroes known for their extraordinary acts for the country marked by sacrifice, and a life of positive example. It consists of King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre, Agatha Uwiringiyimana, and the students of Nyange Secondary School. While I salute all the heroes in this category but I will shed light on the heroism of Agathe, the Rwandan female Prime Minister who was slain by genocidal government forces at the very beginning of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Agathe the first Umunyarwandakazi in the highest political position was not blurred by the love and hunger for power, neither was she blurred by the fear for her cosy and ripe life nor that of her dear family; Agathe braved the death, to rebuke and to stop the genocide atrocities that were being planned and executed against the Tutsis in the Country.  She lost her life in defence of humanity, fighting against ethnical discrimination whose end result was Tutsi extermination.

I exalt her utmost sacrifice; her heroic contribution is unbeatable-she was Umunyarwandakazi.

Ingenzi

The Ingenzi category too comprises heroes who are still alive but who are known for their great contributions, and the grand achievements of sacrifice and an exemplary life. 

Unlike the other categories, a list of the Ingenzi heroes is not published, but maybe great women of heroic actions like Sula Karuhimbi (RIP) will be on the list too.

Sula was a known traditional healer who during Genocide against the Tutsi fearlessly embraced her reputation to intimidate perpetrators and protect Tutsis who had come to seek refuge at her house. "If they are to die, I die with them,” Sula proclaimed openly in response to any threat. Her devotion to protect the Tutsi victims during the genocide was not shaken, even when she lost her own husband and son. A shout out to Umunyarwandakazi Sula Karuhimbi, your heroic efforts were successful and yet hugely appreciated.

I celebrate many unsung, unpublished heroic women in this category who took/take sleepless nights contributing to making Rwanda a dignified country, we proudly call home.

I concede the heroic women who are leading the financial and monetary economy, ladies in hospitality and media industries, women behind the blackboard offering formal education and eliminating illiteracy, women manoeuvring modern technology, those connecting Rwanda to the rest of the world both by Air and by land, the ladies serving social justice, the engineers in construction and factories-your sweat and architectural touch have granted us the infrastructure we pride in today-we salute the heroes that you are, everyday!

I recognise women involved in the diverse concrete work of parenting, fostering, guardianship, tirelessly nurturing and preparing Rwandan children to grow up to be responsible adults.

Heroic ladies busy doing advocacy against gender-based discrimination and violence, those standing for prevention and resolution of conflict in society.

The women who actively got involved in the recovery and reconstruction process of our country, establishing peace and sustainable development, we hail all your heroic sacrifices.

Women out there supporting victims of climate changes; be famine or floods, those who wake up in the dawn, work on farms and in the fields whose harvest feed their families, sponsor their Children to school yet supply steady flow of food to the Rwandan markets, we adore you!

Salutations to heroic Women in uniform, in the dark and in the light, rainy and sunny, midday and midnight, every day and every moment, standing ready to die, in restoration and maintenance of security for all Rwandans. Respect to our women in international peacekeeping missions, exporting security and professionalism, protecting civilians in global arenas.

We particularly in this Covid-19 pandemic period acknowledge the heroic actions of women in medical scrubs sleeping on the floor, saving lives and relentlessly ensuring that health and normalcy is attainable in our country.

I hail heroic ladies in decision making positions; you bring different perspectives and inclusivity of policies to the table. Your wide contribution does not only tackle childcare, and parental leave, it tackles poverty alleviation, education for all, environmental protection, security and justice, health and wealth creation, name it.

We recognize the heroism with which they offer their contribution in leading Rwanda to becoming a smart, wise, fair, healthy and a happy society.

I celebrate the heroic role played by Imbuto Foundation in supporting the development of a healthy, educated and prosperous society.

I have seen this NGO, sponsor children to School, unleash young talents, offer mentorship programs and empower communities for sustainable development. To Imbuto and other women-led initiatives of Abanyarwandakazi-we recognize their heroic contributions to our society.

Amongst many life rescuing activities put on record, I applause a heroic initiative of Imbuto Foundation that primarily focused on those women who were infected with HIV/AIDS during the Genocide against the Tutsi. We can’t look for any better heroism-today we celebrate such actions that breathed hope and life back to the hopeless and lifeless.

Conclusively, this is a call to the young women to stand strong and uphold the already existing legacy of heroism instilled deeply in Abanyarwandakazi, and yes there is a set environment already laid down by the top leadership of this country, the ball is in your hands, please play it timely and wisely.

Happy Heroes Day to Rwandans; men and women, and yes my emphasis today was Umunyarwandakazi at the peak of heroism but I can’t go without recognizing our male Heroes, dead and living; we deeply and profoundly celebrate you today and always, we are because you were/are!

The author is a social commentator.