Zwena Musaniwabo, commonly known as Bachoo, is a television presenter at Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA). She hosts ‘Out and About Rwanda’ show. The 25-year-old journalism graduate is pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Mt. Kenya University. She spoke to Donata Kiiza about her love for tourism and journalism.

How did you end up in journalism?

When I came to Rwanda in 2000, I was not sure of what I wanted to be. However, I liked watching my grandfather doing his shows on television. So after high school, I made a decision to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps. I enrolled at Mt. Kenya University, Kigali branch for my journalism course. Later, together with a few classmates, I was hired by Mount Kenya University radio, currently known as Royal FM; and so my love for media grew day by day. I knew I had made the right decision.

Tell us about your show.

As I proceeded with my studies, I felt I wanted to do more. So I thought to myself, why not try a travel show and see how it goes. Traveling combined with journalism, not a bad thing, I said to myself.

That’s how ‘Out and About Rwanda’ was launched. My goal is to promote our beautiful country, most especially to youngsters like myself who want to travel, learn and discover the Rwandan culture, as well as new places.

What are the challenges you faced as you pursued your dream?

First of all, my lack of confidence stood in my way of success. As I grew up, I lost many opportunities because I looked at myself and felt like I couldn’t do anything meaningful. Similarly, when I enrolled at university, I met a lot of difficulties in my first year. I didn’t perform well because I did not know English since I had spent half of my life in DR Congo and this worried me.

This made me watch a lot of television shows, especially cartoons and movies, so as to learn at least simple English. I also participated more in debates and public speaking.

I always also found it hard to convince people of my ability to do something. Every time I got an opportunity, it would somehow not work out and this made me feel like I wasn’t good at anything. However, later in life, I learnt how to make my challenges my motivation.

Any advice to the youth?

The youth should invest in their dreams. Dreams will not come true when you do not work hard, and be patient. It took me two years to convince people that my show was a good one and not once have I regretted those two years of investing my time into it.

They also need to believe in themselves no matter how small their dreams are. Despite the hurdles they go through, they shouldn’t stop half way but finish what they started.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw