Paul Kagame- inspires Rwanda’s young generation

The personality of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is considered one of a kind among the youths of Rwanda Today, as commonly referred to as ‘Mzee wacu’ literary meaning our man or our Dad

It is not easy to understand why Kagame stands out to be a role model for youths in Rwanda, unless one goes back to his history as a child and reflects on the where Rwanda’s history especially the time when a country had to go through one of the most horrible moments of human history- the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Growing as a child, Kagame is said to have been a very determined young man and his experience of struggling to ladders of success even as a Rwandan refugee in Uganda, impacted on his dream of serving his country undeterred. This, of course led to a formation of a movement (Rwanda patriotic front) which he led to return all Rwandans living in exile to claim the rightful place back home.

As young Rwandans, going through the history of genocide, Rwanda needed a person to look at. That one person, luckily enough was in the personality of Paul Kagame. There are some very key points that make Kagame the role model for most young Rwandans: His leadership skills especially accountability and intolerance to corruption

Earning such a name ‘Mzee wacu’ is not an easy thing in the African culture. There are some former African presidential personalities like Daniel Arap Moi and Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela (of Kenya and Tanzania and South Africa respectively) who have earned similar names. For example Moi and Nyerere was referred to as ‘Baba wa Taifa’- a Swahili statement meaning “father of a nation”- which is the same name adorned to Mandela today

Under the African context, such personalities are considered as visionaries, people who love the community, and worked for the unity of the community.

Coming back to Kagame’s Rwandan context, we have to remember that the youth had been mislead and wrongly blindfolded to participate in Genocide killings which claimed the lives of an estimated one million Rwandans. So, why does he (Kagame) become so significant in the minds of the Rwandan youth? The answer is simple and seen in many ways.

The youths of Rwanda, after 1994, desperately needed a visionary leader, unity, and to work hard to rebuild their nation. Remember that every youth need someone to look at, and it is commonly said that the youth are the future of a nation.

Luckily enough, this is what they see in President Paul Kagame’s personality. Putting aside his critics, for now, there is real evidence that the youth see the characteristics in his personality. One of the areas in which Kagame has been seen visibly active with inspiring youth in Rwanda, is the through the Youth entrepreneurship- Kagame was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Young Achievers’ Awards ceremony at Speke Resort in Munyonyo, in Kampala Uganda, for inspiring the young generation in Africa to desire for change and a better life.

In his keynote address, President Kagame told awardees and all present that achievements do not come by accident or miracle, but by investment of time, talent and resources:

“To your peers, you have demonstrated that when you are ambitious and proactive, anything is possible even in the face of seemingly overwhelming challenges. It is this way of doing things that creates the brand of Africans that will restore our dignity, advance the cause of self reliance and end Africa’s perpetual problem of poverty and underdevelopment.”

Citing the steady growth of African economies despite global turbulence, President Kagame urged African youth to take advantage of opportunities offered by the dynamism of ideas, products and services to build further growth.

“Taking on the new leadership role and exercising their creative potential, young people have to effectively participate in the political and economic processes in our countries. It means changing the mentality that has crippled us into thinking that we cannot do things by ourselves, which has had a negative effect on Africa.”

Calling on the youth to strive for dignity, President Kagame said: “In the new Rwanda, one of our priorities is to instill in our youth, a strong sense of self worth and character – what we call in Kinyarwanda “AGACIRO”. This is in addition to providing skills and knowledge so that they develop themselves, participate in modernizing our economy, and confidently compete globally.”

I (The author of the article) personally saw how fond Kagame gets with youths. He always carries this deep heartfelt smile and jovial mood when he meets with the youth. His addresses are not political but I would rather call them Prophetic. Sometimes I wonder if it is better to say that He is the Awaited Son of Rwanda- 

Some of the youths who attended a Civic Education Workshop, popularly known as ‘Ingando’, the first to be organised for Rwandan youth studying abroad, and officially opened by President Kagame, said that their time with the president was inspiring.

“We are privileged to meet with the president, in such a big number to talk about the history, values and vision of our country. I have been personally inspired by Kagame’s zeal and love for his country, which makes us want to be like him after school abroad” explained Deborah Uwamahoro, one of the students.

President Paul Kagame has not only inspired Rwandan youths, but also world youth. He (Kagame) met with and hosted 38 youths from Commonwealth member states at the presidential palace- Urugwiro Village, and briefed them about Rwanda’s progress as well as advising them how to become future leaders.

During their open sharing meeting, the youths were more interested in know how Rwanda has managed to reconstruct itself, having started from scratch, and the challenges that were encountered. Kagame told them “it has been a long and painful journey as well as his personal input as the country’s leader, and how Rwandans restored hope among themselves and their determination to move forward”. The President told them that the youth form the most energetic part of the population in the world and that it is important for them to have hope in themselves and be part of the development process of the world.

Claire Anholt, the Youth Programmes Manager at the Commonwealth Secretariat who led the delegation, said that the youth were excited to meet President Kagame and have their questions answered

“Young people have been inspired by Rwanda’s example.”  Anholt said, “I think Rwanda’s strides towards unity and reconciliation is incredibly impressive. We as youth have noticed this and it there is message of hope to bring to our fellow youths in our country’s and from every corner of the world”

Juliet Courtney, a youth participant from Belize, revealed that her time in Rwanda and interaction with President Kagame gave her an idea of how countries can deal with conflict resolution. “The idea is learnt from the president is that conflict can only be resolved by peace, uniting people is the only way forward…this is what I take back home” she said.

The personality of Kagame, in many people opinions is very different from other leaders that Rwanda has seen before. This opinion is not only seen by Rwandans but even the world. President Paul Kagame was listed among the 2011 personalities by Forbes Africa Magazine and among the 70 most powerful people on the planet

According to the December 2011-January 2012 edition, Kagame is named along 20 other most influential personalities, including noble laureates, activists, politicians and economists. The Rwandan President was credited for his contribution to the country’s transformation following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, turning it into one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

Did Kagame manage to achieve this goal, because he was rich and famous? I don’t think so. It must have taken his personality of vision, unselfishness, commitment and determination to achieve goals that he struggled for, even beyond the skyline.

This is where Kagame becomes a Hero of Rwanda. I am not so sure that there is any leader who may come after him and step in his feet, because his legacy of unity, justice and peace in Rwanda is greater than himself. That is what we wonder, if there is any other person who can be like him, to inspire a nation from rags to riches.