Editor,

I am very proud of my former classmate at Collège Notre Dame de Gitega: 1975-1978 in Burundi. Valence Rwamukwaya was a nice and hardworking man.

 The story of his recruitment at Radio Burundi in 1982, in a country that was only his second alma mater  among 54 candidates, testifies to that fact. He was and indeed has been good at his work. His compatriots were not discriminated against in the Burundian labour market.

The only case of differential treatment (that equally applied to all foreign nationals—it is no more the case) was the differential passing mark at the high school entrance exam but Burundian boys were also evaluated at a higher pass mark (it is no more the case too) compared to their female colleagues as a sort of affirmative action to compensate for the fact that there were few schools for girls.

Mr. Rwamukwaya, keep up the good work for your  remaining time at Rwanda Broadcasting Agency and good luck for the future in whatever capacity you will continue to serve your country including as a private business man. There is still much to do out there.

Bella

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I was privileged to cover many stories with Rwamukwaya. He is a very kind, down-to-earth man, very helpful and a fatherly figure.  His dedication and love for his job was unequalled even though pay was poor to say the least.

I worked for a private radio station and whenever we were covering news events and we needed help to record, Rwamukwaya always helped us with a smile. He advised us about what one needs to be a good journalist.

It’s a shame that such an experienced, talented photo journalist is retiring. We need a forum where people like Rwamukwaya can mentor young aspiring journalists.

Jean Pierre

Reactions to the story, "Rwamukwaya’s love affair with TV camera approaches its end” (The New Times, February 22)