This week, the embassy of Rwanda in Pretoria together with the Rwandan Diaspora in South Africa joined others to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Genocide against the Tutsi. On April 7th, 2009, in Gauteng province, the commemoration started at 10 AM in Johannesburg by reading testimonies of survivors of the Genocide. This activity was jointly organized by the Holocaust Centre in Johannesburg and the Rwandan Community. H.E. Ambassador of Rwanda in South Africa, Mr. Eugene Munyakayanza attended this event and read testimonies. In the evening of April 7, over 500 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda gathered in Pretoria at University of Pretoria to remember victims of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. Candle lighting, screening of the movie “When Good Men Do Nothing” testimony by a survivor and a one minute of silence also featured. The movie showed how Rwandans were abandoned by the international community, leaving them in the hands of Interahamwe to be slaughtered. The same night, Mr. Greg Mushyirahamwe, the Chairman of Rwandan Diaspora in Southern Africa launched the “Diaspora One Dollar Campaign”. On April 8, 2009, two public lectures were delivered by two well respected researchers and scholars namely Prof. Gilbert Khadiagara and Dr. Ian Olwoch at WITS University in Johannesburg. Prof. Khadiagara spoke about “The Role of International Community in the 1994 Genocide” and Dr. Olwoch spoke about “Revisionism and Negationism of Genocide against Tutsi”. Both lectures were brilliantly presented. The next day, April 9th, the Rwandan Diaspora in Gauteng province (Johannesburg and Pretoria) gathered at the Embassy in Pretoria for a night vigil. Candle lighting, songs, testimonies, movie screening (Ghosts of Rwanda) were also part of the evening. The closing remarks were delivered by the Ambassador. Pretoria. He asked Rwandans to keep remembering the victims of Genocide, to support the survivors through the “Diaspora One Dollar Campaign” and to remain united with the ultimate vision of building a better future for next generation. In Cape Town, the Rwandan Diaspora will commemorate the Genocide against Tutsi of Rwanda tomorrow, while those in Durban hold their remembrance day on April 22. Ends
