From ancient tales of mythical heroes to modern-day stories of bravery and sacrifice, the idea of heroism continues to captivate the human imagination.
It is through acts of heroism that we witness the best of human potential and aspirations, as individuals rise above their limitations and selflessly embrace a higher purpose. That is what President Kagame and his fellow liberators demonstrated when they took up arms against a brutal state machinery to challenge a dictatorship and later put their lives on the line to stop the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
Through his readiness to sacrifice his own life to liberate yours, he reminds us of the importance of courage, selflessness, and determination in facing the challenges of life. Indeed, his example teaches us that heroism embodies the very best of our essence as people and lights the path to greatness for every one of us, if only we give it a shot, like he did.
The following poem is one in a cluster of poems penned to celebrate and capture the echoes, and lessons drawn, from the brilliance of a man who has faced extra-ordinary adversity and triumphed over a milliard of constraints to squeeze possibilities out of improbabilities.
INFINITE FAITH
Infinite Faith
Is like an elastic thread
That lengthens
With every stretch,
Never breaks
No matter
The strain;
Never sways
No matter
The temptation;
Never despairs
No matter
The deprivation;
For He,
Like it,
Is the rock
That inspires
Enduring belief.
He has always
Had my infinite faith,
And even in the twilight
Of my days,
I am dedicated
To follow him
To the end
Of the world:
My every thought
His every concern to share
My every prayer
His very health to shelter
My every song
His very name to praise
Not because he is God
But because he epitomizes
God's best expectations
Of man:
Care and compassion
Courage and Grit
Honor and Humility
Fairness and Foresight
Thoughtfulness
And Forthrightness
Honesty and Integrity,
And loyalty to a T!!
My every wish
For his every endeavour to thrive
Not because
I serve him,
But because he gave
Me an opportunity
To be part of something bigger
Than any diamond or gold:
The rebirth of a new nation;
And the unparalleled joy
To see my children
Grow up
Better than I did;
With a place to call home;
A flag to define their place
Secure in their right to believe
That no matter how dark the night
They will bathe in the warm rays
Of tomorrow's sunshine!!
Yes,
Share his concerns
Shelter his life
Praise his name
And let my voice
Be part
Of the deafening cry
Of the multitude
Across the land:
The widows
Scarred by death;
Healed by care.
The orphans,
Bloodied by hate;
Restored by compassion.
The women,
Marginalised by tradition;
Freed by deliberate action.
The youth,
Drowned by neglect;
Reaffirmed by choice.
The farmers,
Like their broken hoes,
Forgotten
By extension services;
Lifted
By policy and innovation.
The cycle taxi-men,
Pinned down
By unpaying sweat;
Enriched
By digitised motoring.
Yes,
Share his concerns
Shelter his life
Praise his name
And let my voice
Be part
Of the deafening cry
Of the multitude
Across the continent:
Who hear;
And like a thundering choir
Share his faith
And echo his call
For an emboldened Africa;
Speaking with one voice
Calling for political Unity
And economic integration
As key pillars
In affirming
Our dignity;
Anchored
By the infinite bounty
Bestowed
Upon our land
By the most
Generous hand.
Yes,
Share his concerns
Shelter his life
Praise his name
And let my voice
Be part
Of the deafening cry
Of the multitude
Affirming our faith
In the best
Among us;
And about us.
The author is a former Ambassador of Rwanda to Turkey and former High Commissioner to India and United Kingdom.