In a conversation with SABC News’ Sophie Mokoena, Kagame underscored the pivotal role South Africa, under Nelson Mandela’s stewardship, played in Rwanda’s progress by providing educational avenues for Rwandan youth.
Kagame looked back on the era of Mandela and [Thabo] Tabo Mbeki with fondness, noting that during their time, the relationship between the two countries was mutually beneficial.
They facilitated the education of Rwandan youth in South Africa, a group that included both those impacted by the genocide and descendants of perpetrators, by sending them in significant numbers.
He mentioned that the support from South Africa was instrumental in Rwanda’s development, highlighting the importance of the financial aid provided for tuition fees at local rates.
The President recalled that the relationship soured when Colonel Patrick Karegeya, a former head of Rwanda’s intelligence, was killed in South Africa.
At the time, the Rwandan government was accused of being involved in his death, an allegation Rwanda has consistently denied.
Based on the strong historical ties between the two countries, President Kagame argued that it is not fitting for the nations to continue their current strained relations but instead should resolve their differences.
The journalist reported that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor are planning to join Rwandans in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi on Sunday, April 7th.
The visit by Ramaphosa and Pandor is expected to include discussions aimed at revitalizing the relationship between the two countries.
In a press statement on Friday, April 5, 2024, CBK Governor Kamau Thugge said the lender had taken a strategic decision to close the office to focus on digital service.
The termination took effect on April 2.
“The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announces the cancellation of the authority granted to the Bank of Kigali (BoK) to operate a Representative Office in Kenya under Section 43 of the Banking Act, effective April 2, 2024.
“The voluntary termination of BoK’s presence in Kenya follows a strategic decision taken by the Bank of Kigali Group Plc (BoK’s parent company) to focus more on digital service delivery channels. CBK authorised the establishment of Bank of Kigali’s Representative Office in Kenya on February 12, 2013,” CBK stated.
Bank of Kigali, headquartered in Kigali, was established in 1966. It’s licensed and supervised by the National Bank of Rwanda under the Law governing the organisation of banking.
In 2023, BK Group recorded a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching Rwf74.8 billion in 2023. The group saw its profit before tax cross the $100 billion mark, growing at 23.8 per cent.
“The current agricultural season of 2023/2024 has not performed according to expectations due to the El Nino-induced drought. As a result, more than 80 percent of our country received below-normal rainfall,” Mnangagwa said during a state of the nation address at the State House in Harare, the capital.
“By this declaration, I also call upon all Zimbabweans of goodwill, including those in the diaspora, the international community, United Nations agencies, development and humanitarian partners, international financial institutions, the private sector, churches and other faith-based organizations, as well as individuals, to generously donate towards ameliorating this state of national disaster,” Mnangagwa said.
He said that preliminary assessments show that Zimbabwe needs more than 2 billion U.S. dollars for various response interventions.
Zimbabwe has put a total of 1,728,897 hectares under maize crop and other cereals, which should have guaranteed a bountiful harvest, the president said.
“We expect 868,273 metric tonnes from this season’s harvest, hence our nation faces a food cereal deficit of nearly 680,000 metric tonnes of grain,” he said. “This deficit will be bridged by imports.”
“Top of our priority is securing food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean must succumb to, or die from, hunger,” Mnangagwa said.
Zimbabwe has an annual cereal requirement of 2.2 million tonnes for both human and livestock consumption.
Due to drought, the country’s cereal production is expected at around 800,000 tonnes in the 2023/24 summer cropping season, according to the agriculture ministry.
“Today, the 3rd of April, I have submitted to the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Lechesa Tsenoli, my letter of resignation as both the Speaker of National Assembly and a Member of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa,” Mapisa-Nqakula said in a statement. “The resignation is effective immediately.”
“I have made this conscious decision in order to dedicate my time and focus to deal with the recently announced investigation against me by our country’s law enforcement agencies,” she said.
Mapisa-Nqakula, a 67-year-old veteran of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, has been facing corruption allegations that she solicited a cash bribe of about 2.3 million rands (about 120,000 U.S. dollars) from a former military contractor while she was defense minister between 2016 and 2019.
The speaker took “special leave” from her parliamentary position on March 21 after an early morning raid by a special investigations unit on her Johannesburg home.
Last week, she launched an urgent court bid to block her possible arrest, but a judge at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed her application Tuesday.
Citing court papers, local media reported Tuesday that Mapisa-Nqakula may face 12 corruption charges for allegedly soliciting bribes amounting to a total of 4.5 million rands during her tenure as the defense minister.
In her late Wednesday statement, Mapisa-Nqakula stressed that her resignation was “in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations” being leveled against her.
“I believe that, at the right time, I will have the opportunity to thoroughly address these allegations as and when they have been formally brought against me in the appropriate forums, at which time I will clear my good name,” she said. “I maintain my innocence and am determined to restore my good reputation.”
“Given the public trust entrusted in me as the Speaker of our National Assembly and the need for me to protect the image of our organization, the African National Congress, I have an obligation … to step down from my office,” she added.
Mapisa-Nqakula also noted that she had informed the ANC leadership of her decision and she remains a “dedicated member” of the party.
In a statement issued later Wednesday, the ANC confirmed that it had officially received Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation letter.
“In her resignation, Comrade Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula highlighted her intention to protect the reputation of our organization, the African National Congress, after dedicating more than 30 years of service,” said the statement. “We value her commitment to maintaining the image of our organization, as it reflects our principles of organizational renewal that promote proactive responsibility-taking among members, rather than waiting for instructions to step aside.”
Alain Mukuralinda, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Rwandan Government, addressed these claims in light of comments made by the DRC’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula, who accused Rwanda of meddling in the DRC’s internal affairs during an interview with France24.
Mukuralinda criticized the DRC’s stance as undermining the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes, emphasizing that such denials only serve to divert attention from the significant threat posed by the FDLR.
This group, known for spreading hate speech, genocide ideology, and violence, consists of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Despite the DRC’s claims that the FDLR is merely an excuse used by Rwanda, Mukuralinda highlighted the Rwandan government’s consistent calls for the DRC to expel the FDLR from its territory—a request that has been met with resistance and counter-accusations of Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group.
Furthermore, Mukuralinda pointed to evidence from various United Nations expert reports indicating collaboration between the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC) and the FDLR, including the provision of weapons and battlefield support.
This, according to Mukuralinda, exemplifies the DRC officials’ tendency to adhere to unfounded claims to mask their leadership failures in ensuring their citizens’ security.
The Rwandan government maintains its support for the Nairobi and Luanda peace agreements, advocating for the resolution of conflicts in Eastern Congo through peaceful means.
This stance underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing the root causes of instability in the region, rather than perpetuating a cycle of denial and accusation that hampers peace efforts.
Kenyan Head of State, William Ruto, secured Ghana’s crucial vote for Odinga, during his visit to the West African country on Wednesday, April 4, 2024.
President Ruto, in his address after holding talks with Akufo-Addo, said Kenya will in turn support Ghana’s candidature for the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
“Your Excellency, my dear brother, I thank you most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (2025-2028) which has been initiated following comprehensive stakeholder-engagement across government,” Ruto said during the Kenya-Ghana Joint Media Briefing at Jubilee House, Accra.
“On our part, I have assured His Excellency that Kenya will support the Republic of Ghana for the candidature of Hon Shirley Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth for the period 2024-2029,” he added.
President Ruto further affirmed that Kenya’s bid for the coveted AUC seat is informed by the country’s leading role in enhancing and sustaining the Pan-African agenda in terms of independence and sovereignty, peace and security, development and prosperity, as well as sustainability and climate action.
“We hope to work with all as we try to achieve Africa’s 2063 agenda,” President Ruto stated while referring to Africa’s development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in a period of 50 years.
Akufo-Addo’s endorsement comes weeks after Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu and Salva Kiir of South Sudan threw their weight behind Odinga’s candidacy.
Kagame announced his support for the 79-year-old former Kenyan prime minister days after their meeting in Rwanda.
“It’s no secret. I told him Rwanda would support him. I wish him well,” Kagame said in an interview with Kenya’s NTV, broadcasted on March 12.
Kagame heaped praise on Odinga, citing his previous work as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.
“He [Odinga] did a good job at that. He had a full grasp of it,” Kagame said.
“Not only will we support him to be there, but also when he is there, we will support him for Africa to succeed,” he added.
Odinga is seeking to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki in elections slated for February 2025.
The leader of the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition in Kenya received a major boost in March after the African Union Executive Council unanimously resolved that candidates for the position of the next chairperson of the AU Commission would be nominated by the Eastern African regional States
So far, only Odinga and former Somali Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam have announced their candidacy for the top AU role.
Adam, who joined the race in February, is aiming to become the second woman to lead the continental body after South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who served between 2012 and 2017.
The White House, in a statement on April 3, 2024, confirmed that the 42nd President of the USA will lead a five-member team designated to the East African country by President Joe Biden during the event dubbed ‘Kwibuka 30’.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend Kwibuka 30, the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide, on April 7, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda.”
“The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America, will lead the delegation,” the statement reads in part.
Other members of the Presidential Delegation are Eric Kneedler, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Casey Redmon, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Legislative Affairs, National Security Council, and Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development.
Clinton was the US President when the Genocide against the Tutsi happened, having served as Head of State from 1993 to 2001.
He made his first visit to Rwanda – the first of such a visit by a US President to the country – four years after the genocide on March 25, 1998, and apologized to the Rwandan people for the killing of more than a million people during the genocide.
Clinton, while addressing genocide survivors at Kigali International Airport during a brief three-hour visit, said the international community together with nations in Africa bear responsibility for the killings. He said US and other countries did not act ‘quickly enough’ after ‘a government-led effort to exterminate Rwanda’s Tutsi and moderate Hutus began’.
“The international community, together with nations in Africa, must bear its share of responsibility for this tragedy, as well. We did not act quickly enough after the killing began. We should not have allowed the refugee camps to become safe haven for the killers. We did not immediately call these crimes by their rightful name: genocide. We cannot change the past. But we can and must do everything in our power to help you build a future without fear, and full of hope,” Clinton said.
He called for increased vigilance in the world to prevent such atrocities in the future.
“We owe to those who died and to those who survived who loved them, our every effort to increase our vigilance and strengthen our stand against those who would commit such atrocities in the future here or elsewhere,” he added.
Clinton further made a $2 million contribution to the Genocide Survivors Fund and encouraged other nations to follow suit to help the survivors and their communities find the care they need.
Clinton’s successor, George Bush, also visited Rwanda in February 2008 as part of his five-nation African tour.
Bush affirmed that the US would stand with Rwandans in their country’s rebuilding process after the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Laura and I have just finished going to a memorial for the – that recognizes the horrors of the genocide that took place here. This is a moving place that can’t help but shake your emotions to your very foundation. It reminds me that we must not let these kind of actions take place; that – and that the people of Rwanda need help to reconcile, to move forward, after a brutal period,” he said after his visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
He added, “I guess the only thing I can finish saying is that, you know, we ask for God’s blessings on those who still hurt, and on those who long for help, and on the kids whose lives had to have been deeply affected by the trauma of the moment. And we thank the museum officials for their generosity and hospitality, and for putting on such an exhibit to remind people that there is evil in the world, and evil must be confronted.”
During the visit, Bush also opened the US Embassy offices in Kacyiru within Kigali City.
By equipping trainees with skills to earn a livelihood, the school not only fosters career development but also ensures the preservation of cultural heritage. Also recognized as the Yixing Dingshu Community Education Center and the Jiangsu Province Ceramic Art Vocational Training Base, this institution transcends conventional education.
It acts as a crucible for creativity, forging a connection between ancient craftsmanship and contemporary industry, thereby establishing its distinct presence in the vocational education landscape.
With an impressive expanse covering nearly 4 hectares and a built-up area exceeding 11,000 square meters, the investment in this educational powerhouse tops RMB 80 million (about US$11 million). Such a commitment speaks volumes of its mission: to not only uphold the rich pottery-making tradition of Dingshu town but also propel it into the future with cutting-edge techniques and a market-driven approach.
According to Jiang Feng, a researcher and craft artist at the Jiangsu Ceramic Art Training Base, the school prides itself on utilizing locally sourced clay unique to the region.
This tradition of transforming clay into vibrant pots is a cherished heritage of the area, passed down and refined through generations.
Jiang Feng explained the evolution of this craft, highlighting the blend of traditional pot-making techniques with modern tools. “This technique has been spread through generations and improved along the process of inheritance,” she notes, underlining the diversity of pots produced, which remain faithful to traditional designs while incorporating contemporary methodologies.
The staff roster is as diverse as it is specialized, with 18 full-time teachers, 24 staff members, and 96 part-time professors. This core team is augmented by more than 260 ceramic art professionals and over 800 volunteers, all dedicated to the school’s dual mission of education and community service. With the capacity to accommodate 1,000 participants at any given time, the school is a bustling hub of learning and creativity.
Central to its philosophy is the motto “Cultivating through Pottery,” a guiding principle that underlines the school’s commitment to an education that is deeply intertwined with the ceramic industry and the local economy. The goal is not just to preserve the ancient pottery culture of Dingshu but to infuse it with new life, offering unique educational features that resonate deeply within the community.
What sets the Yixing Dingshu Adult Culture and Technology School apart is its dedication to developing a community education model characterized by the enchanting “Tea Pot Charm and the Allure of Dingshu.” This model places a strong emphasis on service and public welfare, supporting not only the ceramic industry but also fostering entrepreneurship and economic development in Yixing, proudly known as the “Pottery Capital.”
The school’s campus itself is a physical manifestation of its educational ethos. Designed with the freedom and fluidity of creativity in mind, the campus features a mix of workshops and classrooms, each an independent structure linked by semi-outdoor porches.
This design fosters a dynamic environment where ideas and inspirations flow as freely as the materials being molded by the hands of the students. The use of materials like redbrick and fair-faced concrete echoes the earthy essence of pottery, grounding the students’ experiences in the tactile reality of their craft.
Since its establishment three years ago, the Yixing Dingshu Adult Culture and Technology School has not only honored the 2,000-year-old legacy of pottery-making in Dingshu but has also positioned itself as a leader in vocational education. By bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern educational techniques, the school stands as a shining example of how preserving heritage and embracing innovation can go hand in hand, shaping the future of an industry and the community that surrounds it.
Data from Rwanda Biomedical Center, RBC, reveal a significant prevalence of new HIV infections among the youth, with at least 35% of new cases found in individuals aged between 15 and 21.
On April 2, 2024, members of the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs Human Rights informed the General Assembly that the HIV epidemic among youths aged 19 to 24 across 14 visited districts is concerning.
The committee’s chairperson Umuhire Adrie stated, “We found that HIV is indeed increasing among the youth. Discussions with various sectors revealed that perhaps due to successful treatment efforts and the provision of free medication, the youth, particularly those between 19 and 24, are seeing a rise in new infections.”
She highlighted that a youth center established to offer advice and condoms operates only once a week, serving a very limited number of individuals in need.
“The youth center exists, but it’s not open every day. We’ve pointed out the limited capacity of these health facilities where, even though available, they operate just once a week because if not, the room is used for other purposes.”
“The doctor providing these lessons isn’t solely dedicated to this task; they also serve in other capacities. While the policy behind the youth center is commendable, the content, method, and frequency of the education, and the number of youths it can actually help, are inadequate compared to the need.”
Senator Uwera Pelagie expressed concerns over the availability of medications and preventive materials for the youth.
“Are there enough supplies considering our only methods are condoms and abstinence? So that at least those up to 21 years old who need them can access them as desired? And I believe more awareness campaigns are necessary to further encourage youths to opt for these prevention methods.”
Umuhire clarified that the youth center is fully equipped with condoms and post-exposure prophylaxis pills for unprotected sexual encounters with suspected HIV-positive partners.
Senator Nsengiyumva Fulgence noted that while these centers are underutilized, placing them in schools could yield better outcomes.
“This reproductive health and HIV prevention center, if placed within schools, could address the issue more effectively. It’s true that not everyone attends school, but in the long term, ensuring all children attend school could integrate these lessons from primary to university levels.”
A national survey on health and living conditions shows that 4.5% of girls and 10.1% of boys had engaged in sexual activities before the age of 15, with some having children before reaching this age.
Vice President of the Senate Nyirasafari Esperance remarked that people are beginning to view HIV as less of a concern than other diseases, given its reduced fatality rate.
“While it may not be as deadly, the medication comes with its own set of challenges and costs, which could be allocated to other important needs. And those on treatment have limitations on what they can do.”
She argued for the youth counseling center on reproductive health and HIV prevention to operate daily, advocating for a multi-faceted approach to combatting the disease.
“I support incorporating these topics into school curriculums, even if we can’t establish a specific center like we did for girls, at least dedicating known times for discussions on reproductive health to ensure children are well-informed.”
The senators also suggested that the Rwandan family should proactively discuss HIV/AIDS with their children, rather than leaving them to learn from the media or potentially misleading sources.
Currently, the Rwandan government aims by 2030 for 95% of its citizens to have been tested for HIV, 95% of those on medication to adhere to their treatment, and for 95% to achieve viral load suppression.
The allure of the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln is not merely in its longevity but in the living legacy it upholds as the sole practitioner of traditional firing methods in the country, earning it the affectionate moniker, “the living dragon kiln.”
Constructed in the architectural likeness of a majestic Chinese dragon, the kiln’s design is both functional and symbolic, embodying the strength and resilience of a tradition that has withstood the test of time.
Spanning 43.4 meters in length and adorned with 42 pairs of wood-feeding “scale eye holes,” this ancient kiln mimics the intricate scales of a dragon’s body. Its unique trunk-arched tunnel, which elegantly slopes at approximately 30 degrees, facilitates a natural heating process from the bottom up, showcasing an ingenious energy-efficient method perfected over centuries.
The Qianshu Dragon Kiln is divided into three parts: the head, the main body, and the tail, each serving a distinct purpose in the pottery-firing process. With five strategically placed loading openings (kiln doors) on its west side, artisans skillfully arrange ceramics for firing, utilizing coal, pine, and bamboo branches as fuel.
This traditional approach to pottery-making not only preserves ancient techniques but also imparts a distinct character and quality to the ceramics produced, distinguishing them from their contemporarily fired counterparts.
Today, the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln continues to breathe life into daily-use coarse ceramics, including basins, jars, pots, and kettles, as well as a select assortment of purple clay teapots.
These creations are not mere objects but stories molded from the earth, each piece a bearer of the kiln’s rich history and the artisan’s skill. Particularly notable are the Yixing sand-fired teapots, revered for their unique clay texture, modeling, and the timeless beauty they encapsulate.
These teapots, synonymous with the Qianshu Kiln, have garnered acclaim both domestically and internationally, underscoring the kiln’s prestigious status in the realm of ceramic artistry.
The Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln’s location in an ordinary village in Yixing adds to its charm, standing in stark contrast to the bustling urban landscapes that characterize much of modern China.
This juxtaposition serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring nature of tradition amidst the relentless march of progress. The kiln, seen from afar, resembles a colossal dragon coiled upon a slope, a silent guardian of history and culture in the midst of everyday village life.
Embarking on a visit to the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln is not just a journey through a physical space but a passage through time. It offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of Chinese ceramic tradition, where every fire-fueled breath of the kiln whispers tales of generations of artisans who have passed through its fiery maw.
This living relic is a place where the past and present converge, making it a must-visit destination for anyone yearning to connect with the essence of traditional Chinese culture and inviting us to ponder the enduring value of tradition in a rapidly changing world.
