The king wielded great influence among millions of Zulus through his largely ceremonial and spiritual role despite having no official power in modern South Africa.
“It is with the utmost grief that I inform the nation of the passing of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini … King of the Zulu nation,” the palace said a statement signed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a powerful veteran politician who is also a Zulu prince.
The king was admitted to hospital last month for diabetes.
“Tragically, while still in hospital, His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,” the statement said.
Born in Nongoma, a small town in the south-eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province, Zwelithini ascended the throne in 1971 during the apartheid era at the age of 23, three years after the death of his father.
CHOGM is scheduled in June 2021 in Kigali. Preparations are underway, few months ahead to host delegates attending the meeting initially postponed due to Coronavirus constraints.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
Since the vaccination program kicked off on Friday last week, over 230,000 people have been vaccinated.
Other groups of people vaccinated include motorcyclists, health workers, frontline workers in the fight against Covid-19 and elders above 60 among other people with chronic diseases.
In light with ongoing preparations of the 26th CHOGM, Commonwealth Secretary General Patriacia Scotland arrived in Rwanda yesterday for a three-day visit and received updates on the progress of preparations for the meeting.
Following the disaster, Rubavu district and security officials visited the affected residents and assured emergency support.
“We promise support and cooperation to renovate houses that have been destroyed. We also take this opportunity to remind you to build houses with strong roofs and plant trees near the houses to break the wind speed and force, saving your homes,” said the Mayor of Rubavu district, Gilbert Habyarimana.
Located in the neighborhood of DRC valley, Nyirangongo and Karisimbi volcanoes;
Bugeshi, Busasamana and Cyanzarwe sectors in Rubavu district often experience strong wind known as ‘Isata’.
Similar hailstorms destroyed 35 houses from Cyanzarwe sector and 12 from Busasamana sector recently as heavy rain characterized by wind fell on 26th September 2020. At the time, affected families received 775 roofing sheets in donation.
Her visit that started yesterday is aimed at gauging together the progress on preparations of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
CHOGM was to take place last year but it has been postponed to June 2021 because COVID-19 pandemic.
Before meeting with Kagame, Scotland held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta revolving around preparations of the 26th CHOGM, global matters including COVID-19 pandemic and Climate Change Action.
After holding discussions, Scotland said she is delighted to be back in Rwanda.
“Honoured to be back in Rwanda. This morning, I received an update on Rwanda’s preparedness to host CHOGM 2021 later this year from Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta and his team,” she tweeted.
Patricia Scotland comes to Rwanda, few days after the visit by the delegation of Commonwealth envoys who commended Rwanda’s progress on preparations for the upcoming CHOGM.
As the World celebrated Common Wealth Day on Monday 8th March 2021, Minister Biruta reiterated Rwanda’s readiness to host the upcoming CHOGM and invited guests to the meeting expected to discuss issues of global concern.
Rwanda’s preparations for the upcoming CHOGM have been characterized by upgrading infrastructures including roads among others.
Among others, 99 people have caught the virus, 118 recovered, 12 are critically ill while 9988 have been vaccinated bringing the total number to 238,942 since the countrywide vaccination program began on Friday last week.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 19945 people have been tested positive out of 1,051,913 sample tests of whom 18.236 have recovered, 1436 are active cases while 273 have succumbed to the virus.
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.
Niyonsenga was arrested Tuesday, March 9, in Kona Village, Nteko Cell of Mugina Sector with a motorcycle, which was stolen from one Etienne Ndagijimana, 22, a taxi-moto operator.
The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said Mugina Police station received information about motorcycle theft from the victim, on Tuesday evening, which prompted an immediate search.
“Ndagijimana had given his motorcycle to a friend, who parked it outside and entered the house in Kona village but could not find it when he came out of the house.
They immediately called the Police at Mugina station, provided all particulars about the motorcycle; Police worked with local leaders and some residents in the search,” SP Kanamugire said.
Later that night, he added, the motorcycle was spotted at about 9pm as the rider headed towards Muhanga District.
“Police and local leaders collaborated to intercept the motorcycle at Mugina – Rugarika junction, which was being ridden by Niyonsenga, who was also taken into custody and the motorcycle recovered,” SP Kanamugire said.
The spokesperson commended the residents, who worked with the Police to provide quick information on the whereabouts of the motorcycle and the suspected thief.
According to Niyonsenga, he was going to sell the motorcycle to someone in Muhanga.
Ndagijimana, on his part, thanked the Police, local leaders and residents, who worked together to recover his motorcycle in few hours after it was reported stolen.
Niyonsaba was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Mugina station.
Under article 166 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for theft is liable to an imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million, a community service for a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
“As part of the ongoing nationwide vaccination rollout that has seen more than 230,000 people vaccinated, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame received their COVID-19 vaccines at King Faisal Hospital, “the Presidency has tweeted.
President Kagame and First Lady receive the vaccine; six days after the country began countrywide vaccination program starting with people in advanced ages and others providing essential services.
Since the program kicked off on Friday last week, over 230,000 people have been vaccinated. The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije was present as President Kagame and First Lady received the vaccine.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
As the first shipment of vaccines arrived in Rwanda last week, President Kagame used his Twitter handle to commend the milestone enabling African countries including Rwanda to roll out vaccinations widely.
“It’s been long wait, some better prepared and more ready…not to mention some ’more equal than others’ But certainly all of us in urgent need. Now good news to see COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Africa starting with Ghana…this morning in Rwanda and more. Thanks COVAX,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFETT), has revealed via Twitter handle that their discussions revolved around preparations of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Kigali in June 2021.
They also discussed global matters including COVID-19 pandemic and Climate Change Action.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta meets with Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland who is in Rwanda for a 3-day visit to discuss CHOGM 2021 preparations as well as other issues of global interest including COVID19 and Climate Action,” reads MINAFETT’s tweet.
After holding discussions, Scotland said she is delighted to be back in Rwanda.
“Honoured to be back in Rwanda. This morning, I received an update on Rwanda’s preparedness to host CHOGM 2021 later this year from Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta and his team,” she tweeted.
Patricia Scotland comes to Rwanda, few days after the visit by the delegation of Commonwealth envoys who commended Rwanda’s progress on preparations for the upcoming CHOGM.
As the World celebrated Common Wealth Day on Monday 8th March 2021, Minister Biruta reiterated Rwanda’s readiness to host the upcoming CHOGM and invited guests to the meeting expected to discuss issues of global concern.
CHOGM was to take place last year but it has been postponed to June 2021 because COVID-19 pandemic.
The development follows the construction of 12 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) schools in Rubavu, Huye, Nyanza, Nyarugenge and Rwamagana prisons completed at a cost of over Rwf 4 billion.
Inaugurated yesterday, these schools with all necessary equipment were built on funding of Netherlands Embassy in Rwanda.
RCS Commissioner General, CGP George Rwigamba, said that these schools will facilitate efficient correction and reintegration.
He explained that the first cohort has been attending courses for the past six months in five prisons.
The selection of inmates to attend courses, considers willing inmates and prior background on a particular vocational training program.
“We need to acquaint inmates with additional skills to ensure effective correction. Such vocational skills prepare them for future jobs after completing jail term to lead better life again,” said CGP Rwigamba.
He explained that inmates used to be acquainted with vocational skills depending on available training packages at particular prison. However, newly inaugurated schools will offer vocational packages approved by Rwanda TVET Board which will give them certificates upon graduation.
Umukunzi Paul, the Director General of Rwanda TVET Board said that inmates were previously equipped with vocational skills without respecting standard processes.
He highlighted that these schools will enable them to comply with the Curricula approved at national level that an inmate will graduate with a certificate to be used after reintegration.
“We offer six categories of certificates at TVET Board. Inmates will begin courses from different levels depending on prior knowledge. Even illiterate ones can start from scratch and attend short vocational courses. There are secondary school graduates who can start from an advanced level to attend one year or two year courses and receive accredited certificates,” he said.
Umukunzi revealed that inmates meeting requirements will sit for national examinations like other students.
It is expected that TVET Board will cooperate with RCS to offer similar course packages.
Netherlands Ambassador in Rwanda, Matthijs Wolters thanked the Ministry of Justice and RCS for the great initiative to construct vocational schools in prisons highlighting that it will pave the way for employments upon reintegration into the society.
The Minister of Justice and State’s Attorney General, Johnston Busingye has requested inmates to take advantage of presented opportunities to concentrate on courses with a view to apply acquired skills in normal life.
“Many of jailed youth had abandoned studies which might have been among other causes providing loopholes to engage in criminal acts. We believe that providing them with vocational and technical skills can be a solution filling the gap to those who halted studies even if the matter would not be addressed 100%,” he said.
It is expected that ten technical and vocational skills will be provided at these schools. They include mechanical engineering, construction, tailoring, hairdressing, computer science, electronics, plumbing, leathercraft, tailoring, and masonry.
The first group of 128 peacekeepers from 157 Infantry Battalion left Kigali on 10th March 2021 to replace the 105 Infantry Battalion, whose first batch arrived home on the same day.
On behalf of RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen JB Kazura, Brig Gen JB Rutikanga (2nd Division Commander) urged the peacekeepers going for the mission to be good ambassadors of Rwanda and exercise their duties with high discipline.
“Be always guided by RDF values and safeguard the good image of Rwanda by performing your mission with discipline,” he told the peacekeepers.
The returning group of RDF peacekeepers were welcomed by Col PM Mujuni (402 Brigade Commander) who congratulated them for having successfully concluded their tour of duty and urged them to maintain discipline in future assignments at home.
During their one-year term in mission, the 105 Infantry Battalion successfully conducted different operations in protection of civilians including security patrols, IDPs protection, humanitarian logistics escort and different civil military activities.
Rwanda maintains three battalions and one Aviation Unit in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Currently, Rwanda is the 3rd biggest troop contributing country in support of UN peacekeeping operations in Darfur (UNAMID), South Sudan (UNMISS), and Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
