Remember. Unite. Renew. As Rwanda starts the 28th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a few well-known individuals share their views on what it means to commemorate the past, fighting Genocide ideology, helping survivors during this very tough time, and building a more peaceful and prosperous Rwanda for all. “The media needs to participate a lot more in fighting Genocide ideology. The media can help in educating younger generations who know little to nothing about the Genocide. Those who were young or born after 1994 can learn and know the history, and make sure that the times we went through will never happen again. This is the right time for the media to contribute to fighting ideology,” says Lucky Nzeyimana, a journalist. Actress Rosine Bazongere shares that it’s such a trying time, but by going forward and building peace and reconciliation, Rwanda will stay on top. She says well-known people need to do a lot more to create a better Rwanda since many people look up to them and can learn from them. Night vigils and prayers take place in Kigali to commemorate the Genocide.Photo/Net “I stand with all Rwandans as we commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It was such a tragedy. Let’s fight against ideology as the youth, for we are the future of the Rwanda we want. We need to learn from our past and do better,” Bazongere says. Intore Massamba, the founder of Gakondo Group, urges artistes to loudly say, ‘Genocide: Never Again’. Massamba asks that all Rwandans never use any statement that can hurt anyone. “As we start the very hard period of commemoration, Rwandans should remember and pay tribute to the 1994 victims. We ought to stand with our country and strive for self-reliance so that won’t happen again,” he says. To all artistes, he suggests focusing on doing empathising pieces, and have conversations in which they discuss ways to continue building ‘the best Rwanda’ and how to give survivors the support that they need. Jemima Kakizi, a visual artist, says there is need to deliver supportive messages through art, and also focus on mental health because there are so many Genocide-related wounds that need to be healed. “We aim to send messages that comfort survivors, and teach the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Young people who were not born, and foreigners, need to know and understand the consequences of Genocide,” she says. Kakizi urges everyone to stay by the side of any survivor they know because this is a very tough time for them. Alex Muyoboke, who owns Decent Entertainment Rwanda, tells survivors, “Stay strong, we are with you!” The mind behind the success of several artistes as manager says during this commemoration period, we have to remember, unite and renew, and that it should be a forever thing. “Dear Rwandan artistes, your part in building the best Rwanda is needed, let all your art include that since your voice can get far.” Muyoboke says that artistes should continue to sing songs that address the fight against Genocide ideology and denial. To survivors, he says, “Though it is so hard, stay strong, we are right with you and we love you so much.” Dominique Kubwimana, better known as Kemnique on Twitter as a social media influencer, says, “For the 28th commemoration, let’s remember, unite and renew. With self-reliance and not being the victims of our bitter history, we are so glad that the Rwanda we live in now is such a safe place and we owe it to the Rwandan soldiers (RPF).” Kubwimana says that living again after darkness is the only way to go, “Let’s keep our development legacy and fight against the Genocide denial as well as ideology via social media platforms as the world is going more digital. The prosperity of Rwanda is our responsibility.” Gospel artiste, Clementine Uwitonze says that through several talks and conversations that teach more about the history of Rwanda, Genocide ideology can be eliminated and people can love each other and be free from hatred. “Genocide will never happen again. Let’s remember and unite as Rwandans, hence building the best Rwanda, full of peace and prosperity that we want. It is within our capabilities and we need to join hands and work hard together to make it possible,” Uwitonze says.
