PHOTOS: Veteran ambassadors tackle leadership, parenting, nation building in new books

Former ambassadors Williams Nkurunziza and Gerald Zirimwabagabo are using their new books to champion the power of reading, writing, and values as tools for personal growth and national development. ALSO READ: Book celebrating Kagame’s visionary leadership launched Their two books were officially launched on October 16 in Kigali, with former Ambassador to Japan Charles Murigande officiating the ceremony. ALSO READ: Kagame's legacy and mindset change Echoes, which is a collection of poems by Nkurunziza, a former ambassador to Turkey, looks at Rwanda’s journey over the past 30 years and the values espoused by President Paul Kagame. Foundations Matter by Zirimwabagabo, a former Ambassador to Israel, focuses on parenting and how early childhood experiences influence a person’s future. Echoes Nkurunziza noted that writing is a way to respond to life and challenge misconceptions about African literacy. “In the books that we have written, we have tried to open up, to pour our souls out so that we can share the devils in us, or maybe the angels in us, he said at the launch in Kigali. Today’s act, in releasing these books, is actually an act of protest against an idea that black people don’t read or write. We are trying to suggest that we don’t only read, we can actually write books,” he explained. Nkurunziza added that no civilization advances without documenting and sharing experiences. He noted that while China published over 470,000 new book titles in 2015, Rwanda has published roughly 10,000 in a century, thus urging Rwandans to preserve their stories through writing. He said his publishing house, Genesis Africa Books, offers a space to share Rwandan experiences and perspectives, stressing that literature is not just about personal expression but also about building the nation. Nkurunziza said writing helps him make sense of his experiences and record lessons from the country’s recovery. His first collection, Pangs of Life, portrayed his time as a refugee, showing both the struggles of exile and the joy of coming home. In Echoes, he focuses on resilience, leadership, and values as the foundation of Rwanda’s journey, giving readers insights and lessons from the nation’s experience. Nkurunziza explained resilience by comparing Rwanda to a ball that always bounces back, no matter how hard it is hit. Leadership, he said, has shaped choices and mindsets over time, guiding communities to act in the interest of unity and growth. “Values are the principles that hold society together. The collection celebrates heroism, loyalty, humility, integrity, and unity, while warning against greed, hatred, and betrayal.” Nkurunziza suggested that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement consider integrating lessons from the book into civic education, noting that literature can provide practical moral guidance in schools and communities. Foundations Matter Foundations Matter came from Zirimwabagabo’s thoughts on how values and parenting guide children. He recalled his school years in the late 1960s, when students had to take part in a manual work programme. At the time, we resisted it, but years later, as a teacher looking at the program, I understood its importance. Talking with former students abroad, who said the program helped them succeed, also directed my view of education and character building,” Zirimwabagabo said. He mentioned a panel discussion in Kigali eight years ago on global politics, economics, and technology, where a young man criticized parents for failing to guide children, while a mother suggested the government implement a national service programme. “If you have had a child for 18 years and failed to manage them, how will the government solve that in one year? This, together with a Harvard study showing that love and support in childhood are crucial for life success, inspired me to write Foundations Matter.” The book explains nurturing curiosity, empathy, communication, and problem-solving from early childhood. Zirimwabagabo noted that by 2030, over 65 percent of current jobs could disappear due to AI and automation, making early skill development necessary. “Reading is food for the mind; it encourages independent thinking and understanding of the world. Early exposure to practical work and problem-solving equips children to navigate future challenges,” he noted. The author added that parenting, community engagement, and structured early learning form the backbone of resilient societies, and that investing in these areas is important for Rwanda’s continued growth. What others say about the books Ambassador Murigande said reading and writing are key to building a knowledge-based society, and he encouraged Rwandans to read the two books to gain insight and broaden their understanding. He described Foundations Matter as a “goldmine for human capital development,” noting its focus on early childhood as the foundation of national strength. Regarding Echoes, Murigande said he was impressed by Nkurunziza’s poetic skill, calling it “a tribute not to a leader, but to a vision.” Murigande added that had he read Zirimwabagabo’s book while serving as Minister of Education, he would have pushed for more effective early learning programs. Richard Hategekimana, President of the Rwandan Writers’ Federation, said that each book brings a new voice to our culture, ideas, and identity. He advised young writers to look at the journeys of the two ambassadors, explaining that every story, every experience, can teach others. He added that writing is a way to guide, to share wisdom, and to influence the future.

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PHOTOS: Veteran ambassadors tackle leadership, parenting, nation building in new books