CHARLES KWIZERA discovers what Imboni Artist Alliance offers young artists

If you look at the present level of the music industry in Rwanda, you will surely notice that something urgently needs to be done in order for it to reach the international platform. And this cannot be done if the artists and musicians themselves don’t wake up and find ways of joining efforts. In 2007 Imboni Artist Alliance noticed this gap.

Imboni was formed by a group of artists from the different universities in the country.

"We had huge plans on our minds when we were thinking about this particular cause because we as artists had analysed the whole situation and thought that we needed to come together,” says Ezra Mukama, the founding member and vice chairperson of the alliance. He explains in a recent interview that the group’s services are being appreciated. 

Among other objectives, the group’s mission is to promote young talents in primary and secondary schools. He says the group thought it fit to start in schools because essentially that is where the talent is.

"You see, we wanted to start with these young people so we can mould and give them support, help them discover their talents and also show them the importance of doing things together in order to create a sense of togetherness in them so they can grow and develop with it,” Mukama explains. Currently, the group works with different ministries and organisations in promoting their campaigns.

"We thought that we could work with ministries and organisations through making campaigns hence promoting government plans and also have artists earn something for their well being.”

Last month, it organised music shows in schools with a view of identifying young minds. This award winning competition was attended by five sample schools which included; Lycee de Kigali, A.P.E Rugunga La Colombiere. A.P.E Gikondo and Kagarama secondary schools.

"We hope to include many schools in this competition in future,” reveals Mukama. So many talents were showcased in this competition where different music groups, individual singers and poets showed what they had in front of a mammoth of students who attended the show.

Imboni hopes in future to introduce artists clubs, hosting cultural evenings as a way of promoting local culture, and introducing serial dramas in secondary and primary schools around the country.

When asked what impact this could have on the students, Pacifique Mporananayo, chairman of the alliance, said that It is going to expose the young talents that could be exploited in the future for the benefit of themselves and the country at large.

"Our aim is art; not music alone, but anything in the name of art. We held selection competitions in those sample schools and those who won are the ones you see here today doing inter-school competitions, and as you can see there’s a variety of art pieces ranging from music and poetry to playing traditional instruments,” added Mporananayo.

Students benefit

"This has helped me to expose my talent, people applauded me when I was performing and this encouraged me a great deal,” confided Jean Hakizimana de la paix from A.P.E Rugunga. He went on to say that the alliance was going to be his platform which would elevate him to another level.

Another student, Eric Gikundiro who recited a poem, revealed that this project has come just in time to help them flourish. At the end of the competitions participants were awarded prizes. Some of the prizes included an opportunity to record video clips or songs.      

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