They say a mother is a protector, a disciplinarian and a friend. Mothers are selfless and love us unconditionally. Days like Mother’s Day are aimed at celebrating a mother’s love and sacrifice. Tomorrow, Rwanda will join the rest of the world to celebrate Mother’s Day with a number of activities planned to mark the annual occurrence. For many, the day marks a special occassion to recognise their mother’s, while they still live, for others who no longer have them, the day is sombre and one to reflect on not having one around. Mother’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May.

To mark the day, Saturday Times spoke to different local celebrities about Mother’s Day. Here is what they had to say.

Excerpts;

Eric Rutanga, footballer

The message I have for my wife is that I am so thankful to her for giving me a child and that I love her so much.  I appreciate her for standing with me everyday as I go about my daily hustle. I wish her a joyful Mother’s Day.

Eric Rutanga. Courtesy.

Sonia Mugabo, fashion designer

We celebrate our mothers because we couldn’t  be who we are today without them. We are all we are because of our mothers. We should be thankful for all they do for us. About a special message to my mother, of course I will have something to tell her, but I am not going to say it here. It’s personal.

Sonia Mugabo. Courtesy.

Eric Kabera, film director

A mother is a mother, irreplaceable! I no longer have a mother, but my mother Immaculee shaped who I am today, my personality, vision of life, laughter and kindness and my survival skills came from my mother. Needless to say much, but in Kinyarwanda there is a proverb that says; Akabura ntikaboneke ni Nyina wumuntu, (loosely translated to ‘a mother is irreplaceable’). Whether we like it or not, our wives and sisters are always the reflection of our mothers, they are the rocks and foundation of all that takes place around us.

We love them and we strive to protect them, as mankind dictates.

Women are more powerful than men. I am a preacher’s husband, and with our congregation at Noble Family Church and Women Foundation Ministries, women are empowered to be able to even consolidate the foundations of families in our community. Love and compassion are the foundations to this quest.

Eric Kabera. Courtesy. 

Clement Ishimwe, music producer

I wish nothing but love and respect for them [mothers]. They make us who we are.

Clement Ishimwe.courtesy.

Riderman, artiste

I wish our mothers and the mothers to our children a very wonderful Mother’s Day, as an occasion to celebrate their love for us and the battles they tirelessly fight to keep us in good hands. For me, although I consider all days equal and so special, I salute their resilience because they are behind whatever we achieve in our lives, be it directly or indirectly.

I am happy it’s their day but I am a happier person that because I get to celebrate them [both mother and wife] every day. I always feel like I owe them respect, love and everything I am supposed to take responsibility.

Riderman. Courtesy.

Queen Cha, artiste

Mothers are so strong and we owe them respect and love. I may not be with her at the moment, but we love and respect mothers so much because they mean a lot for us and play a very important role in our lives. We should celebrate them not only on Mother’s Day but every single moment of our lives.

Queen Cha. Courtesy.

Meghan Nimwiza, Miss Rwanda 2019

First of all, happy Mother’s Day to all mothers. To be brief, we owe everything to our mothers. If I am to specify, I owe everything to my mother. There is nothing in this world I value more than my mother, and I know she, too, values nothing more than me. So, to all mothers, we love you, and I want to let them that they are special and they have a very special place in our hearts.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com.