Williams Nkurunziza and Gerald Zirimwabagabo launch works aimed at fostering personal growth and national development.
Former ambassadors Williams Nkurunziza and Gerald Zirimwabagabo have launched two new books that aim to promote the importance of reading, writing, and values as essential tools for personal growth and national development. The official launch took place on October 16 in Kigali, officiated by former Ambassador to Japan, Charles Murigande.
Echoes and Foundations Matter
Nkurunziza’s book, Echoes, is a collection of poems reflecting on Rwanda’s journey over the past 30 years, highlighting the values espoused by President Paul Kagame. Zirimwabagabo’s Foundations Matter focuses on parenting and the impact of early childhood experiences on an individual’s future.
Nkurunziza emphasized that writing serves as a response to life and a means to challenge misconceptions about African literacy. He stated, “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 pointed out the disparity in book publication rates, noting that while China published over 470,000 new titles in 2015, Rwanda has published roughly 10,000 in a century. Nkurunziza urged Rwandans to document their stories through writing, asserting that literature is vital for both personal expression and national building.
Insights from Echoes
Nkurunziza’s Echoes explores themes of resilience, leadership, and values as foundational elements of Rwanda’s progress. He likened Rwanda to a ball that bounces back, regardless of the challenges faced. He stated, “Values are the principles that hold society together. The collection celebrates heroism, loyalty, humility, integrity, and unity, while warning against greed, hatred, and betrayal.”
He suggested that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement consider integrating lessons from his book into civic education, highlighting the potential of literature to provide moral guidance in schools and communities.
Foundations Matter: A Focus on Parenting
Zirimwabagabo’s Foundations Matter stems from his reflections on the role of values and parenting in shaping children. He recalled his own school experiences in the late 1960s, where a manual work program was implemented, which he initially resisted but later recognized as beneficial.
He shared insights from a panel discussion he attended, where a young man criticized parents for failing to guide their children, while a mother suggested a national service program. Zirimwabagabo noted, “If you have had a child for 18 years and failed to manage them, how will the government solve that in one year?” This realization, combined with a Harvard study emphasizing the importance of love and support in childhood, motivated him to write Foundations Matter.
The book discusses nurturing curiosity, empathy, communication, and problem-solving from an early age, emphasizing the necessity of early skill development in light of the potential impact of AI and automation on future job markets.
Community Engagement and Future Growth
Zirimwabagabo highlighted that parenting, community engagement, and structured early learning are crucial for building resilient societies. He stressed the importance of investing in these areas for Rwanda’s continued growth, stating, “Reading is food for the mind; it encourages independent thinking and understanding of the world.”
Reactions to the Launch
Ambassador Murigande praised the significance of reading and writing in fostering a knowledge-based society, encouraging Rwandans to engage with both books for greater insight. He described Foundations Matter as a “goldmine for human capital development,” and commended Nkurunziza’s poetic skill in Echoes, calling it “a tribute not to a leader, but to a vision.”
Richard Hategekimana, President of the Rwandan Writers’ Federation, remarked that each book introduces new voices to the culture and identity of Rwanda. He encouraged young writers to learn from the journeys of Nkurunziza and Zirimwabagabo, emphasizing that every story has the potential to guide and influence the future.
Key Points
- Nkurunziza and Zirimwabagabo launch books promoting reading and writing.
- Nkurunziza's Echoes reflects on Rwanda's 30-year journey.
- Zirimwabagabo's Foundations Matter focuses on parenting and early childhood.
- Both authors advocate for integrating literature into civic education.
- Ambassador Murigande highlights the importance of these works for national development.
Sources: Veteran ambassadors tackle leadership, parenting, nation building in new books
