Fame is a dream come true to many, meanwhile the famous would give anything to live simple lives. So what is it like to be famous and recognized by everyone? Rwanda’s celebrated figures talk of their experience as ‘celebrities.’ “I don’t know if I’m very famous but what I know is that many people know me. I’ve not changed, I feel I’m still the same Rose Wacu’, a nickname people gave me. I am not different from others; I go to any places ordinary people go to. Most people recognize me and wave, I wave back. All I do is try as much as possible not to take advantage of my status. For example having VIP treatment, though at times people insist on treating me that way,” ROSE KABUYE IS RWANDA’S CHIEF OF PROTOCOL AND A FORMER OFFICER IN THE RWANDAN PATRIOTIC FRONT [RPF].KABUYE’S JOURNEY TO FAME STARTED WHEN SHE LEFT HER 11 MONTH OLD BABY TO JOIN THE RPF LIBERATION WAR.SHE BECAME A MAJOR,LATER LIEUTENANT COL AND WAS MAYOR OF KIGALI.IN NOVEMBER 2008,HER ARREST BY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT BROUGHT HER MORE FAME. “I believe famous people should be exemplary to others especially that they are public figures. Sometimes I see people waving at me. I am forced to greet them yet I don’t know them but it’s ok. The day today lesson I learn is that famous people should always be polite, and decent wherever they are,” EVELYN UMURERWA IS A NEWS ANCHOR WITH RWANDA TELEVISION [RTV].SHE BECAME POPULAR IN 1997,WHEN SHE STARTED PRESENTING A PROGRAMME CALLED ‘TELE DÉTENTE,LATER SHE HOSTED NOW SHE HOSTS THE BREAKFAST SHOW AND A WOMEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT RWANDA TELEVISION “It’s easily for the famous to associate with people of all walks of life, the famous also are normally favoured. However, It inconveniences when different people crowd at you, telling you unnecessary matters. Many think celebrities are not normal people who need to hang out with friends. Most times we are misunderstood especially when people see us for the first time. For instance people conclude that celebrities are womanizers even when they are hanging out with relatives or friends. I believe a famous person should be a role model, no matter what they say. The famous should profile their country no matter what it takes,” JIMMY GATETE IS A RWANDAN FOOTBALL STAR FOR AMAVUBI NATIONAL TEAM.HIS TALENT IN SOCCER SAW HIM TO POPULARITY IN THE EARLY 1990’S “Being famous is good though it’s not heavenly. Fame has advantages and disadvantages. People, especially in Rwanda, have a negative perspective towards being famous. They like criticizing, and stereotyping. In my opinion, famous people are ones who takes risks, who are daring, and don’t fear criticism. A famous person should be able to change people’s lives,” JOSEPH HABINEZA IS RWANDA’S MINISTER OF CULTURE AND SPORTS. HE CAME TO THE LIME LIGHT IN THE 1970’S WHILE HE WAS A SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT. HE EMERGED A GOOD FOOT AND BASKET BALL PLAYER. LATER IN 1984 WHEN HE JOINED A UNIVERSITY IN GISENYI, HE TOOK TO MIMING RAGA AND FRENCH SLOW MUSIC,THIS MADE HIM MORE KNOWN “Sometimes it’s not ideal to be famous because you don’t fully enjoy your life. For example, I would wish to be somewhere but I can’t because I am easily identified, unlike other people. Sometimes I end up so isolated because people expect me to be someone else. Sometimes I hate the fact that I’m famous,” RAFIKI IS A REKNOWNED LOCAL ARTIST “I have been famous since I was 20 because that’s when I started dealing in business. Fame hasn’t changed my personality. I keep a low profile, and I prefer dealing with all people despite their status and background, all human beings are the equal. Despite my businesses, I don’t have any bodyguard, or weapon to protect me. I’m just Cobra, and I want to maintain a low profile. COBRA IS THE OWNER OF CARDILLAC AND MAMA AFRICA RESTAURANT BOTH LOCATED IN KIMIHURURA “Fame has taught me to live responsibly. I have to behave decently and be exemplary to other girls, especially those who wish to join the showbiz. I also try as much as possible not to disappoint my fans. However, that doesn’t mean that I have to live someone else’s life. I’ve to be real and to make sure that I’m living a respectable and pleasurable life,” SHANEL IS A LOCAL MUSICIAN AND ACTRESS
