Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Mpahlwa said it will be among his major areas of concern as the new ambassador accredited to Rwanda. He made the revelation yesterday after presenting letters of credence to President Paul Kagame.

Mpahlwa, 60, has been appointed two years after his country withdrew her representative in Rwanda. In December 2018, South Africa recalled George Nkosinati Twala who was representing South Africa to Rwanda after completing his term. The recalling came two days after tensions triggered by allegations that Rwanda spoke ill of the then South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Even though, reasons for new appointment delay remain unknown, both countries have been hit by diplomatic tensions where Rwanda accused South Africa to grant refuge to fugitives intending to threaten Rwanda’s security like Kayumba Nyamwasa who escaped justice and currently heading RNC terror outfit.

In March 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the problem of Rwandans being denied visas to South Africa would soon become history after holding talks with President Paul Kagame. However, up to now, Rwandans still struggle to get visa to travel to South Africa.

Rwanda has at different times explained that actions of convicted people or fugitives should not blur bilateral relations.

After presenting letters of credence, Amb. Mpahlwa has revealed that he talked about the problem with President Kagame and expressed sentiments o address it. He explained that solving the problem will be part of his contributions as the new envoy accredited to Rwanda.

“This is a matter that we have spoken about with the president, we both recognized that there some issues but we have both expressed commitment that must help us to normalize relationship. There are many South Africans living in Rwanda, business continues to operate in Rwanda and this must seek common grounds for improved relationships,” he said.

“It is a responsibility awaiting us [visa problem], it has to be done to give meaning to my presence in Rwanda because we have capacity to solve problems to take relations forward. It is something I promised the president that I can relate to what my president would want to see,” added Mpahlwa.

He didn’t precise when the problem will have been fixed but assured it is among his priorities noting that it will be addressed on time.

Mpahlwa has been representing South Africa to Mozambique where he completed his tour of duty this year.

He once served as the Minister of Trade and Industry and held different top positions in South Africa since 2004.

MINEDUC inspection was conducted between August and September 2020 ahead of schools reopening.

Claudette Irere, the Minister of State in charge of ICT and TVET at MINEDUC has told IGIHE that the inspection was meant to assess schools’ readiness to accommodate students in adherence to instituted COVID-19 health guidelines.

“Many schools were affected following the lockdown that halted all activities. We decided to carry out an inspection to assess if the schools are ready or not,” she explained.

Following the inspection, 20 schools were closed for failure to meet requirements for quality education.

“I cannot confirm that the schools allowed to continue meet requirements at 100% but other schools were found with gaps that cannot be tolerated especially related to quality education,” said Irere.

“We wanted to assess if school settings are ready to welcome students and respect COVID-19 preventive measures like washing hands, keeping social distancing among others. The inspection also took emphasis on courses, whereby we assessed if the workshops are well equipped, if teachers are qualified, trained enough and have necessary skills to educate students,” she said.

As Irere explained, the inspection informed the decision to close the 20 schools on grounds of complex hardships hindering quality education.

“We established many schools countrywide that should not be allowed to mislead students yet we identified existing problems. We decided to release the list so that parents and students can think on ways forward,” she noted.

The closed schools will be allowed to reopen after meeting requirements.
MINEDUC has announced that students who might continue studies at closed schools will not be allowed to sit for national exams.

School owners have been advised to consult MINEDUC for support to re-orient students to other schools.

Rwandans are also advised to identify if certain schools meet requirements before registering children. The list of closed schools is found on districts’ offices and MINEDUC website. Only 193 TVET schools have been allowed to educate students in the year 2020/2021. It will be revised every year and released before schools’ reopening.

Speaking after presenting letters of credence to President Kagame, they expressed commitment to boost relations and cooperation between their respective countries and Rwanda.

Ms. Johanna Teague, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden in Rwanda expressed willingness to strengthen relationship by leveraging existing solid foundation in many areas of interest.

“We have been working together in development cooperation in four areas mainly; the rule of law, inclusive economic growth, climate and environment as well as research cooperation. We also see a lot of interest in Rwanda and in Sweden to strengthen our trade relationship and investment. One of my priorities is to see how I can support that and take it forward,” she said.

Among others, South Africa’s ambassadorial post to Rwanda has been vacant for two years. In December 2018, South Africa summoned George Nkosinati Twala who was representing South Africa to Rwanda after completing his term. The recalling came two days after tensions triggered by allegations that Rwanda spoke ill of the then South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Towards the end of last year, South Africa designated Mandisi Mpahlwa, 60, as the new ambassador to Rwanda.

After presenting letters of credence to President Kagame, Amb. Mpahlwa explained that his presence has a great significance to revitalizing both countries relations.

“South Africa has not had an ambassador for quite some time since my predecessor left and of course there are various reasons. I am pleased that today I have presented credentials to the president and I have expressed positive sentiments to him. It is something that must be a positive signal about the direction of the two countries in terms of developing and continuing to strengthen the relationship between Rwanda and South Africa,” he noted.

Mpahlwa has been representing South Africa to Mozambique where he completed his term this year.

Senegal ambassador in Rwanda, Doudou Sow also committed to consolidate gains noting that there are many areas both countries can learn from each other.
“I am very delighted as the first Senegal ambassador with residence in Rwanda. I have conveyed greetings President Paul Kagame from his counterpart Macky Sall and made my commitment to root on existing partnership to take relations to greater heights,” he said.

He also highlighted that Senegal can learn from Rwanda’s advanced experience in the areas of environment, defense among others to be emulated.

Among others, RwandAir opened flights to Senegal in 2017. Doudou explained that it was a great milestone to connecting both countries’ people and expressed optimism for further cooperation.

The letter dated 16th December 2020 was written to the mayor of Nyamasheke district.

In his letter that circulated on social media, Nshimiye said that he could not continue his work due to Covid-19 preventive measures implemented at his school noting ‘they are against the commandments of God and his Word that I respect.’

Nshimiye who was a teacher in Primary 5 and 6 has confirmed to IGIHE that he wrote the letter himself.

“I am the one who wrote the resignation letter. That is the way it is [Preventing covid-19] is against my faith and the Bible,” he said.

Nshimiye said he resigned because his faith beliefs do not allow him to wear a face mask and being forced to wash hands.

“I often wash hands but willingly without someone else’s pressure. I don’t belong to any faith based organization. I respect Biblical verses,” he explained.

The Director of Education in Nyamasheke district, Alphonse Sinabajije said that he asked the teacher to report himself to the district to discuss the matter face to face but the latter was not able to reach district offices because he can’t wear a face mask.

“We had summoned him to report himself to the district yesterday but couldn’t find a way because he doesn’t wear a face mask. He cannot be allowed to enter a bus without wearing a face mask. I finally talked to him over the head teacher’s phone. He told me that his biblical faith doesn’t allow him to do so,” he explained.

“I told him that I am also a Christian and referred him to some verses in the bible. He declined to accept my advises saying these measure preventives being implemented are Satanic symbols. He told me, he would rather resign than adhering. I latter saw the letter circulating on social media,” added Sinabajije.

He revealed that seven students in Mahembe and Karambi sectors have also abandoned school over refusal to wear face masks.

“There are children who abandoned school because they don’t want to wear face masks in the sector. We have the responsibility to engage in discussions with pupils at the school where he taught and parents to change mindsets and let them know that adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures is not against the word of God. I have seen seven children at Nyarusiza school in Mahembe along with others in Karambi with similar problem,” said Sinabajije.

Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. As of today, 7032 people have been tested positive out of 679,132 sample tests of whom 6089 have recovered, 886 are active cases while 57 have succumbed to the virus.

Figures from the Ministry of Health indicate that the prevalence of recoveries, deaths and new cases respectively stands at 86.5%, deaths at 0.8% and 2.5%.

Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.