Gratien Niyitegeka is living his dream as a man of many hats—poet, filmmaker, theatre practitioner, and actor. Popularly known for memorable characters such as Seburikoko, Sekaganda, and Papa Sava, Niyitegeka is celebrating three remarkable decades of storytelling. On January 30, the veteran artist marked the milestone with a special anniversary celebration at Mundi Center, bringing together fellow artists, fans, and industry stakeholders. The evening celebrated a career built on passion, patience, and resilience. The highlight of the night was the premiere of his debut feature film, What a Day—a deeply emotional, locally inspired production that left many in the audience visibly moved. A story everyone can relate Papa Sava, 47, explained that What a Day mirrors real life, reminding audiences that everyone experiences both good and bad days—each in different and often unexpected ways. The film tells the true story of a struggling motorcycle taxi rider whose life is defined by misery and desperation. He faces repeated job rejections, extreme poverty, and growing tension at home. Overwhelmed by hardship, his wife denies him intimacy, saying their circumstances have extinguished her conjugal desire. ALSO READ: “It is my calling”: Papa Sava on his 30-year artistic journey His situation worsens when he unknowingly transports a woman carrying a bag containing the corpse of an aborted baby. Believing the bag holds something valuable, he tricks the woman and flees with it—only to discover its horrifying contents. Panicked, he tries to abandon the bag, but wherever he goes, strangers force him to keep moving with it. Eventually, police are alerted, and he becomes a wanted man. At the same time, tragedy strikes at home. A landlord demanding rent confronts his wife, and the encounter turns violent when the landlord attempts to rape her. In the struggle, she pushes him onto a stone, killing him instantly. By the time the man returns home, two corpses lie in the house. As crimes and misfortunes pile up, the film becomes a powerful reflection of what “a bad day” can mean—not just for one individual, but for families, couples, and anyone who has faced overwhelming hardship. The 90-minute film was co-produced by Zacu Entertainment and Canal+. Papa Sava revealed that the production is targeting international film festivals across Africa, Dubai, Doha, and beyond, with hopes of eventually landing on Netflix. “I love this story. I wanted to fulfil a promise of giving it to the people,” he said. “I also wanted to introduce new talents—people audiences don’t know yet but who are very capable. They will discover them in this movie.” ALSO READ: How ‘Papa Sava’ creator has kept his storytelling alive for three decades He added that one final film project is still in the pipeline, promising that his decades of experience will continue to serve audiences. A calling that began with poetry Papa Sava describes his artistic journey as a calling. He began with poetry, later transitioning into theatre, before joining Indamutsa, where he performed in Ikinamico and other radio plays. “That experience shaped my understanding of performance,” he said, adding that it laid the foundation for his full entry into cinema in 2009. Unforgettable moments Among his most cherished memories is performing while studying at the Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) during a presidential visit by President Paul Kagame at the opening of the academic year. In his first year at university, he again performed before the Head of State during a graduation ceremony honouring outstanding performers. Another defining moment came in 2004, when he participated in events marking the 10th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In 2012, Papa Sava staged a memorable One Man Show at Village Urugwiro during a festive event hosted by First Lady Jeannette Kagame for children—an experience he describes as one of the most unforgettable days of his life. He also recalled competing at the Festival Inter-Universitaire des Arts de Butare, where his One Man Show won the festival and earned him Best Actor honours. He received Rwf100,000 for the award, plus an additional Rwf200,000–300,000 after his play won the overall competition. It was during this festival that he met Nelly Wilson Misago, Director of Zacu Entertainment, a partnership that would later play a key role in promoting artistic talent. Message to young creatives Papa Sava believes success never comes easily. “No success comes on a silver plate. Overnight success only exists in dreams,” he said. “It takes patience. The world is not soft, and quitting is the only real failure.” During the celebration, he received an award from his team in recognition of his role in mentoring young talent. Many artists he has guided now earn a living from their craft and enjoy national recognition. Rwandan film industry on the rise Reflecting on the broader industry, Papa Sava noted that although Rwanda’s film sector is less than 30 years old, it has made significant strides. Local content is increasingly appreciated, with audiences showing growing preference for homegrown films over foreign productions such as Bongo Movies and Nollywood. He also highlighted Rwanda’s expanding international footprint, citing figures such as Ncuti Gatwa, Kivu Ruhorahoza, Eliane Umuhire, Malaika Uwamahoro, and Kantarama Gahigiri. “These people are carrying the flag,” he said, “and slowly but surely, the name Rwanda is appearing on the global stage.”
