Young Rwandans sing at the Kwibuka flame country tour: The Rwandan spirit instills heroism into the young
At the Kibeho parish ground in Nyaruguru district, Southern Rwanda, over 1,000 men, women and children met on Thursday to receive the Kwibuka Flame of remembrance, in the build-up to the 20th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis.
Among them is 16-year-old Régis Hirwa, who is also already reflecting ont the National Heroes’ Day that falls on February 1, every year.
Hirwa who is dressed in a white shirt and black trousers school uniform, is a senior five student at the nearby Marie Merci high school in the option of Math, Physics, and Geography – a year shy of his high school education certificate.
And apart from being busy with his science studies at the moment, he also seems to keep in touch with the country’s political happenings (an informed citizen, to put it plainly).
“The National Heroes’ Day is a great day”, he said with a broad smile.
“There are many heroes we remember on that day and who even set a good example for us. For instance, Fred Rwigema. I feel like I am obliged to march in his footsteps and be a hero as well one day”, Hirwa hastened to add.
Indeed late Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema – the man Hirwa was referring to – is considered the architect of Rwanda’s 1990-1994 liberation struggle that was fought by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), now the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF). He comes top on the National Heroes’ list.
Some students just like Hirwa do appear on the National Heroes’ list, too.
On the night of March 18, 1997, killers who were elements from the Interahamwe militia and ex-FAR – managed to infiltrate through Mukura Forest from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and, at the Western Province-based Nyange high school, they attacked the school and reportedly asked students to get separated along ethnic lines.
Apparently, the students refused, arguing that they were all Rwandans − only to be shot at indiscriminately and sprayed with rounds of bullets and grenades.
The death of those students, especially their extraordinary bravery when faced with a do-or-die scenario, was later rewarded and the Nyange school students now feature among the National Heroes.
Among the Nyange high school students were senior five students, just like Hirwa. He may or not be a hero, but in Hirwa, you get the sense of something extra-ordinary: setting a good example for others.
66-year-old Drocella Mukangoga echoes the same feeling. A widow as result of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis during which she lost her husband and two of her six children, Mukangoga believes that she survived thanks to the heroes who put their lives at stake to make Rwanda a better and safe place.
“I feel very happy during the National Heroes’ Day. When I look back from where I came from, and see where I am today, it’s just amazing”, said Mukangoga, a resident of Mubuga cell in Kibeho sector.
This year’s National Heroes Day is organized under the theme “The Rwandan spirit, pillar of heroism”.
The ceremonies to celebrate this day will take place at the village level (imidugudugu) and every Rwandan has been called to actively participate and honor the heroes who gave their lives for their country.
On this occasion, the dignitaries will lay wreaths of flowers at the Heroes’ Square located in Remera, where many heroes are buried. These include Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema pioneer of the war of liberation, students of Nyange.
Others are former Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana murdered in 1994 in the early days of the genocide, King Rudahigwa who abolished all forms of slavery and advocated for unity and independence of Rwanda and the Unknown Soldier who represents all the soldiers who fell during the liberation struggle.
The heroes and heroines of Rwanda are classified into the following three categories: “Imanzi “supreme hero known as exceptional and unprecedented achievements, “Imena” which are known to the sacrifice they made for their country and “INGENZI” which are recognized for their exemplary actions.