Liberation, picnicking and filmmaking: 10 quotable quotes from this week’s headlines

A lot has been going on this week; from celebrations that marked the country’s 28th liberation anniversary, to young businessmen and women making a mark in the world of entrepreneurship- here is a recap of exceptional quotes from stories that made headlines throughout the week. 1. “At first, it wasnt picnics. We were more into live events centred on live music, but then it wasn’t as popular. It was really mundane; everybody can do that. So I had a constraint of a brand, because people couldn’t trust me if there were plenty others they could. I thought of something innovative, that hasn’t been created before, so I gave my events a theme, and the theme came to be picnics.” Christian Rutiyomba, 24, owner of Utaka (a picnic spot), said while sharing his journey in entrepreneurship. 2. “Everyone should be able to go to work and to deliver their responsibilities peacefully, without being made uncomfortable by anyone,” Euthalie Nyirabega, Rwandan Member of Parliament, highlighted as she talked about sexual harassment at Francophonie parliamentary assembly, saying women who are harassed in their place of work can hardly maximise their potential. 3. “It would be selfish of me to get everyone to celebrate African culture when Africans are not benefiting. If African dance and culture is going up then Africans also have to rise, because they are the ones who originated the culture,” Dance Choreographer, Sherrie Silver, on how life is not only about her but helping Africans benefit from their culture. 4. “As Rwandans continue to listen and work, as children continue to study and are equipped with the knowledge to innovate and create jobs, and as the government continues to perform its duty such as building infrastructure… “As people continue to cultivate and do livestock farming for subsistence and commercial purposes, as well as other things people can put on both domestic and international markets that boost income for the country, this will lead to desired development.” President Paul Kagame on how the country is on a good path in terms of economic development. 5 “When you want to convince people of your worth or ability before you reach your full potential, it becomes difficult. “Because nobody is going to know how good you can become at something, I always took every opportunity to prove myself in ways that didn’t need permission from anyone,” Sam Mironko, NBA photographer said as he described how he has always taken every opportunity despite how small or big it was. 6. “But why would Rwanda need to be involved in the Congo when we were building peace and security between the two countries from the beginning? How things changed, all of a sudden, I think the Congolese have a lot to explain themselves, not Rwanda.” President Paul Kagame, said while addressing the DR Congo and Rwanda crisis in a televised interview on Monday, July 4. 7. “Its a journey that has had its own satisfaction and its a joy to witness. We hope the younger generation will continue with it,” Filmmaker Eric Kabera, talking about Rwanda’s movie industry progress. 8. July 4, carries a strong significance in Rwandas history. Its a day we celebrate the liberation of our country and what we have achieved in the last 28 years, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente said while speaking in Nyaruguru District, on Monday, July 4, as he presided over the 28th national liberation celebrations. 9. “It was one of the worst moments of my life. I literally saw people’s morale sink the moment they set their eyes on me. They didn’t know me, and weren’t ready to even trust that I would do a great job. Some people even sat down—they were bored. That’s the time I thought maybe it wasn’t something for me. I wanted to quit,” Sonia Kayitesi a Disk Jockey, sharing her experience of her music career. 10. “I started making cropped tops and scarfs for myself to wear and I was surprised to find that my friends liked them and asked me to make some for them. I never thought that I would make clothes for others, or even start my own clothing company, but that started to change after realising how people appreciated my work,” Josée Eliane Ganza Kwizera, talking about how she started her clothing business through the lessons she acquired during the lockdown.

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Liberation, picnicking and filmmaking: 10 quotable quotes from this week’s headlines