Author: Alain Jules Hirwa

Mid-height, short-hair and light complexion, Sifa expresses a personality of friendliness, an immensely likable character with an open mind that never ceases to question and caution. And she’s knowledgeable on a wide spectrum of topics.

Her palatial home in Rebero Sector with a lush green-designed compound bespeaks royalty of a person that loves and creates good things.

She and her equally outgoing husband receive me with a cup of coffee, which we sip as she relates to me how she has, over the years, created signature scents for the Kigali perfume enthusiasts.

Sifa, who holds a Masters degree from Kigali Independent University says that even though she worked as a teacher and a banker, she always felt her ambitions and ego would only get met and massaged if she got self-employed.

She says; “I had a lot of dreams. While sitting in a bank, I’d feel I was in the wrong place. I compared my dreams and my job; my dreams were bigger than my job. I found them different. I quit the job. Even though I had no other job, I had ideas.”

After quitting, Sifa looked at all possible opportunities in Rwanda and realized that creating fragrances would make a good business, more so because it fell in line with the country’s policy to promote Made in Rwanda products.

Besides, Sifa is a fan good scents. The combination set her on the path of making perfumes.

Since quitting her job, Sifa never worried about the capital, even though many of her friends told her that the lack of it was a problem.

She believed in ideas.

Through training by a French company called AFRIBON and later the European Flavors and Flagrances (EFF), she learned how to mix fragrant essential oils and aroma compounds to make perfumes.

She also acquired knowledge and skills in marketing perfumes. In 2019 she started a perfume signature that she branded HODI, HODI for men and HODI for women. She started small, testing the waters, getting feedback on how people would receive the product.

When she started, she had Rwf 5,000,000 from her accumulated savings. When she started, early in 2019, she started using small samples of about 2 kilograms of raw materials. She got the raw materials from AFRIBON, EFF, and Syria.

She says, “Up to now I am making perfumes for men and women. They are perfumes with a diversity of scents and natural aromatics. They are so special and unique to Rwanda because of different compounds that make them.”

Some of the challenges that Sifa sees in her business and Made in Rwanda, in general, is that there are still some Rwandans who underestimate products made inside the country and buy pirated products from abroad.

She says: “I don’t criticize commodities that come from abroad, but people should always wonder if a certain product is original or counterfeited. For us, our product is original. We don’t pirate.”

She adds that Rwandans should not underestimate their own products. “We Rwandans should love our products instead of hating them.”

With an air of jovial and endearing aura, she brings forth both HODI for men and for women. We spray the perfumes on our clothes, surrounding ourselves with a nose-courting pleasant mini-breeze. A sweet and soft fragrance that gladdens our small environment.

She says that she is in the process of purchasing better oils for mixing compounds that will produce even more nostril-arresting scents.

As we close our conversation, she delightedly tells me that her dreams go further to owning a cosmetics industry. She also believes that she will achieve all her dreams because “everything is possible,” as she puts it.

As of now, Sifa has the ability to produce 50 bottles of hundred-milliliters of perfume and always ready to serve her customers downtown Kigali at CHIC building, door A OO9 of the ground floor. She plans to officially launch the HODI brand in three months’ time.

The donation was effected Friday December 13, 2019.

Mitari David who is president of the Full Time Reds Rwanda said that the fact that there are children who are isolated in their families because of Autism is one of the reasons that inspired them to do the charity work.

He said, “It is so sad that there are some families where children are isolated because of autism. We decided to help these children be happy.”

Mutali said that the idea came from the football team Manchester United that too helps children with autism.

The general secretary of RPIA, Kirenga Clément, said that RPIA was delighted by the fans’ act of charity, calling it an extraordinary step of intervention.

He said, “The first thing the Rwanda Parents Initiative on Autism is delighted about is seeing the community of Manchester United fans showing us love, and supporting us. They touched our hearts. We have gotten amazing friends, and we are happy for it.”

Munyakazi Sadate, the president of Rayon Sports, has told IGIHE that the discussions are in final stages and that they expect the outcomes to promote Rayon Sports and Rwandan football.

He said; “There are teams we are in discussions with. If it goes well, Rayon Sports will go to China for preparations and play friendly matches and, later, the Chinese teams will visit Rwanda. This will raise awareness of Rwandan football to an international stage.”

Munyakazi said the objective of the discussions is not to transfer footballers as some people may think.

“Our focus is not transferring players,” he added.

Rayon Sports announced that next Sunday on the 22nd of December, 2019 its president Munyakazi Sadate and its center-forward Michael Sarpong will travel to China for the talks.

The Northern Province police spokesperson, CIP Alexis Rugigana says that the culprits were arrested following a tip-off from residents that reported illegal mining activities in the night.

He said, “These people had not a single license that allows them to do mining at that site. They once were given a license in 2018, but it has expired.”

The police took that occasion to remind all citizens that it is not allowed to carry out mining without the licenses required as illegal mining pollutes the environment, devalues the mining industry and minerals from Rwanda, and can cause occupational hazards including body toxins collapsing of mines.

CIP Rugigana adds that police is still looking for the person that had employed the 16. He is still at large.

The event took place at Kimisagara Youth Center on December 8, 2019 dubbed “EU Hip Hop Festival #BattleOfRappers” organized as part of the “European Autumn of Culture”, a set of annual public diplomacy activities to bridge the music culture between Rwanda and Europe, giving an opportunity for young and aspiring hip hop artists to showcase their talent.

The judges included Producer Patrick Bugingo Ndanga well known as Pastor P, Angell Mutoni well known in Hip Hop, and the Greek Takis who is also a producer and proprietor of African Sound Records, Soulakellis Panagiotis.

Among the 50 rappers who registered for the competition, only 10 made it to the finals last Sunday.

Among the ten, four were eliminated, and there remained Mazimpaka Pacifique, Iradukunda Jules, Gasirikare Yves, Aime Musabyimana, Rukundo Christian and Rhabia Mutesi.

Finally, those went through returned on stage and competed two by two. From them were chosen three who were given impromptu topics around the youth from which they instantly composed rap songs.

The first three were Rhabia, Gasirikare Yves [Gas II] and Rukundo Christian [Chris Eazy]. In the end, Rhabia won third place, Chris Eazy won second place, and Gas II took the throne.

Gas II, 25, said he was delighted to take the first place even if it was not easy and that he was battling musicians who are strong in Hip Hop genre.

He said: “I am very delighted. I was not confident, but having made the first step and believed that everything else would work out is all that gave me the courage.”

This was not Gas II’s first competition to attend. He once attended Isangano na Muzika prepared by journalist Phil Peter but did not reach far.

Gas II will produce a mixtape of 12 songs in Greece with the help of Producer Takis under sponsorship of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines that will cater for his air ticket.

DJ Infinity played the music, Nkusi Arthur was the MC, and both Bulldogg and Angel Mutoni performed for the audience.

Last year, the European Union in Rwanda prepared a competition for DJs which was won by DJ Kiss.

In IGIHE’s interview with Yverry, he says that he started working on the song in 2017, working with Alyn Sano’s brother named Sano who is a music producer.

Yverry did not like the quality of Sano’s version of the song. He says that he left the project to work on another, a song named “Mbona Dukundana” with Ishimwe Clement, which was released.

Later, he reworked “Naremewe Wowe” with Bob Pro. That time, he says, Bob Pro’s version failed to satisfy his likes, making him take it to Pastor P, who produced one that met his satisfaction.

After producing this new version, Yverry says that he was astonished at finding Alyn Sano’s song out. This made both the musicians enter into discussion, but Alyn Sano informed him that the song was hers and that she registered with Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Yverry says that he was saddened by the news, which brewed hate between them. To resolve the conflict, the duo sought redress and mediation through the associations of musicians and producers.

He says that each one of them was given 50% rights over the song, the reason he released his version.

Alyn Sano dismisses the contention that each one of the musicians was given 50% of the rights to the song.

She said, “We met. Yes, that meeting really took place, but he [Yverry] should not lie. If he is speaking the truth, he should show documents justifying what he says. For me, I have documents; the song is mine a hundred percent.”

Alyn Sano claims her brother had composed the song for Yverry but when they fell out he [Yverry] He passed it over to her.

Alyn Sano was asked if she plans to file a lawsuit against Yverry and said; “For me, I make music. I cannot manage taking someone I consider as my big brother to court. Instead, I must give my fans more music.”

When asked how he can deal with it in case Alyn Sano takes him to court, Yverry said; “For me, what matters is that I’m happy, all else means nothing to me.”

On making a clip video for the song, Yverry said that he did not think about it, but he might do it in case it is decided by his team.

The skirmishing comes at a time when Yverry has announced his first album launch on February 14th, 2020, and Alyn Sano having a new song out called “None”.

The partnership deal is the second with a football club following a three year deal with Arsenal FC in May 2018.

So, for now, it is a done deal, ink on paper, PSG is to advertise Rwanda’s tourism through the “Visit Rwanda” brand. The partnership started Wednesday, in Paris Saint Germain’s match with Nantes. The brand appeared for the first time on the sports jerseys of the substitutes.

For this partnership to come into existence, it took a long journey to reach an agreement with a team that started way back in 1970 in France.

The club was, in 2011, acquired by the State of Qatar, through its shareholding organization Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

This organization, founded in 2005, has headquarters in Doha, Qatar. It invests in entertainment and sports industries. Nasser Ghanim Al-Khelaifi is the president of both the QSI and PSG.

According to information available to IGIHE, the PSG-Rwanda advertising partnership was made easy by the good relations between Rwanda and Qatar.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, made a state visit to Rwanda in April 2019 where he also visited the Akagera National Park together with President Paul Kagame during which occasion, the two countries signed deals in sectors of culture, sports, tourism, trade, and aviation.

As Rwanda positions to export its beauty to the world, one of its targets is France, especially, Paris which is considered the cultural capital city of the world. Most people consider Paris as a city of tourism, fashion, and fine dining and wining.

Starting from next year only tea and coffee from Rwanda will be sold at the Parc des Princes, PSG’s stadium, opening great opportunities for Rwandan farmers and industries.

The information available indicates that Rwanda wanted the “Visit Rwanda” brand to be on the kits players wear during main games but it could not sail through as other sponsors had already taken the slots.

Currently, PSG has about 30 sponsors with Nike and Accor being the major partners under a deal valued at $165 million.

Pundits have come to give snapp insights into how Rwanda is bound to immensely gain from the partnership.

One analyst has given his view on the beauty of the deal. “The Arsenal deal got Rwanda to another level is different from this [PSG deal], but the good thing about this one is that the income reaches the citizen.”

Pie Ntwari, the NAEB communications manager, told IGIHE that farmers have to increase production.

He said, “It is good to see our market expand. What is amazing is that we will be the only ones allowed to trade [in the stadium] tea and coffee. We expect an increase in foreign currency earnings. This gives farmers another reason to increase production and quality. We expect a stable market for three years.”

There will also be a talent show between Rwandans and the French that will last a week. That week was called “Semaine du Rwanda à Paris” to be organized by PSG to market what is done in Rwanda.

This will also add value and opportunities in the fashion industry, whose involvement will start in a few months’ time.

PSG will also promote talents of Rwandans through a football school that will start in Kigali from where they will share experience with Rwandan coaches and young footballers.

In a communication through their Twitter account, the parliament noted that Mushingwamana was suspended, but they did not mention how long.
The Tweet reads; “According to administrative procedures, Mr. Evode Mushingwamana has been suspended.”

A few days ago, a concerned citizen Juliette Karitanyi tweeted that Mushingwamana was still serving in the parliament despite his being a suspect in a rape case.

She tagged President Paul Kagame and the former Prosecutor General, Mutangana Jean Bosco.

In the tweet, Karitanyi said, “Your Excellency President Paul Kagame, a man named Mushingwamana Evode remains in the parliament despite the crimes of rape, attempted murder, forced abortion, and selling a Burundian migrant. This case is court.”

At first this issue was brought up by a one Remy Baho who insisted on Mushingwamana’s culpability.

He said, “Mushingwamana Evode kidnapped, raped, assaulted, and tried to murder a 19 years-old Burundian refugee, but was only accused of rape. He has not yet been dismissed from his Public Accounts position in the parliament, yet a DNA test proved the child born from that rape is his. How can you allow a man with such animosity to stay free in the parliament? It is detestable.”

On Wednesday, President John Magufuli of Tanzania through his country’s national television noted that the more than 400 kilometers long railroad will facilitate transport not only for Tanzania and Rwanda but also Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He further clarified that a study of the project was completed and that both countries are looking for funds for its implementation.

Rwanda and Tanzania will share costs for the construction of the 532 kilometer railway, with Rwanda’s funding starting from Rusumo to Kigali which will also have a short jut to Bugesera International Airport.

In Rwanda, the railroad will be 138 kilometers long while in Tanzania it will be 393 kilometers. It is budgeted to cost 3.6 billion US dollars where Tanzania will incur 2.3 billion US dollars while Rwanda will invest 1.3 million US dollars.

Tanzania will spend 5 million US dollars per kilometer while Rwanda’s cost will be 9 million US dollars per kilometer, the higher cost attribute to the hilly topography.

“Hip-Hop is a cultural art form with four main elements: rapping, deejaying, breaking (dance), and graffiti art, co-existing and allowing artists to maximize their individual expression,” says Teta in the McGill International Review.

It originated in the streets of New York in the 1970s as a movement of resistance against societal negligence. According to Msia in All Africa, Hip-hop was introduced into Africa with the rise of cable TV and the return of Senegalese living abroad carrying the latest hip magazines and music.

That was in the 1980s, the same decade in which DJ Berry pioneered it in Rwanda.
DJ Berry, real name: Abdul Aziz, worked on the national radio where he was known for rapping and dancing breakdance. Later, he would exile in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo and continued his music.

He relocated to Germany where he produced the song “Hey You” which would attain some popularity on radios in Uganda. He returned to Africa in 1990 and passed on six years later, in 1996. One year before his departure, the Rwanda National Television was introduced.

The 1995 introduction of the Rwanda Television popularized many foreign Hip-hop artists among Rwandans.

Among those artists, one can mention Tupac Shakur and MC Solaar. This planted the seed of this music among many young Rwandans who would, later on, sprout with a mastery of the form of music.

In an interview I had with Jay Polly, one of the lead Rwandan Hip-hop artists, he said, “Yeah, of course, in 1998, there were still the feuds between BIG and Tupac, and the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry was still going on in America. So, we followed all of that news. I got interested a lot to follow those people, to know who they were, to know how it was done.”

That shows an important role that cable televisions played in teaching and inspiring a new generation of artists in Rwanda as only two years later the first Rwandan Hip-hop song would be produced.

In 1997, KP Robinson and MC Monday produced “Peaced Up”, and that became the first Hip-hop song to be released in Rwanda, by Rwandans.

That also means that MC Monday is one of the pioneers of the form of music in Rwanda. 1999 saw the rise of another major act, the rise of MC Mahoni Boni.

MC Mahoni Boni, who most artists and followers of the Rwandan Hip-hop crown as the king and pioneer of Hip-hop in Rwanda, started singing in 1999 with his single titled “Malariya ni Indwara Y’icyorezo Kandi Yica”, according to The New Times.

The year 2003 launched a new music group KGB (Kigali Boys) comprised of artists Rurangwa Gaston, a.k.a Skizzy, the late Hirwa Henry, a.k.a H-Wow and Manzi Yvan, also known as MYP.

In an interview I had with Skizzy, he said, “KGB started in 2003, at school, at APAPE. In high school, we studied in the same class. Then, we started the group. We went to a recording studio in Kenya and recorded our first album. We recorded songs that came to be liked such as “Abakobwa b’I Kigali” and “Ndagukunda.”

Then, we continued working with Rwandan local recording studios and producers, including J P and Pastor P.” Then, only three years later, Riderman, real name: Emery Gatsinzi, just another major artist in Rwanda, took the country by storm.

In January of 2006, he joined a group named UTP Soldiers that included NEG The General and MIM. They entered the recording studio for the first time on the 11th of January that year. Riderman would release his first single in 2007 called “Turi Muri Party”.

Tuff Gong rose to fame in 2008 and became the most influential Hip-hop music group in Rwanda.

On the founding of Tuff Gong, its founding member Jay Polly had this to say, “Tuff Gong started in 2008; after that, all of us came to meet because for me I grew up with Green P. Our producer was called Lick Lick. He too, that time, lived in the same neighborhood with Green P. That is how the connection started.

Then, because he was in that neighborhood and knew Green P and The Ben, I came to know Lick Lick. Lick Lick studied with Bull Dog in the same class. You understand where the connection came from. We connected.

Fire Man joined later because he grew up with Bull Dog in the same neighborhood, in Kanombe. Finally, P Fla came from where he was (in the US). But they told us that he had the same style as ours. It is Lick Lick who connected us. We connected and started Tuff Gong that way.”

The same year of the rise of Tuff Gong saw the rise of another vital musician, Diplomate. Diplomate, real name: Nuur Fassasi, released his first song “Umucakara w’Ibihe” in a collaboration with Young Junior. According to The New Times, for his poetic, metaphorical, and history-packed verses, some of his fans called him Rwanda’s upcoming Snoop Dog.

A decade that followed saw a rise to fame of many more Hip-hop artists. Among them, one can mention K8 Kavuyo, Pacson, Jay C, White Monkey and younger upcoming artists such as DA Strix Junior. In 2013 and 2014, Riderman and Jay Polly won the Primus Guma Guma Superstar Contest respectively.

With songs full of messages to the youth such as Bull Dogg’s “Pay Attention” which tackles the use of savings, blood tests for HIV, Hepatitis, and other diseases, as well as on the effects of drug abuse, Hip-hop in Rwanda has been on the core of positive change among the youth. However, Rwandan Hip-hop artists did not achieve this tremendous contribution in a millisecond.

Instead, it took over two decades, from the beginning of Hip-hop on the streets of New York in the 1970s to the introduction of this form of music in Senegal in the 1980s, the same year it was introduced in Rwanda.

With its most popular artists being its old generation, what the new generations are doing to keep the wheels turning becomes such an important conversation that we need to have.

We should tackle that in our articles to come.