Friday’s atmosphere at Petit Stade parking ground was all about music and fun as hundreds of concert goers enjoyed good music vibes from Ghanaian music star Magnom and local artistes. It was also an opportunity for MTN Rwanda to appreciate its best performing customers for their talents in music and being loyal to the telecom’s services as the MTN Rwanda concluded its ‘Izihirwe na Muzika’ campaign.
The main concert in Kigali summed up the Izihirwe na Muzika campaign roadshows during which local artistes entertained thousands of audiences in four districts; Rubavu, Huye, Musanze and Rwamagana.
All eyes, on Friday, were on Ghanaian dancehall star Magnom performing live before his fans in Kigali and he impressed though his time on stage was unexpectedly short lived.
His major hit "My Baby” was one of the dancehall singer’s songs that kept his music lovers entertained and left them demanding more.
However, it was local superstars Social Mula, Riderman and Bushali who pulled the best of the performances as each of them was looking to make the fans draw more attention on the stage.
Just days after winning a trial on drug use, Bushali proved to be the man of the show as he performed beyond the expectations of his supporters.
Performing most of his popular songs ‘Ni Tuebue, ‘Ku Gasima’, ‘Bitinze’ and ‘Niyibizi’, the fast rising rapper entertained the crowd, as if to show that he had missed the stage.
‘Izihirwe na Muzika’ campaign was not only about entertainment, but also an opportunity to reward the best concertgoers who participated in MTN’s DJ battle and Open Mic competitions.
During the concert, MTN Rwanda rewarded Rwf1, 000, 000 to Alain Kwizera [Dj Trax] as the overall best DJ in the DJ Battle category while Abed Ntambara (aka Cowboy) pocketed Rwf5, 000, 000 as the overall winner of the Open Mic competitions.
It was also an unforgettable night for Sophia Nizeyimana, a Kigali-based mother of four who received about Rwf600, 000 and a cow after the MTN staff, some customers and Magnom’s manager raised the money to help her start a new life.
Nizeyimana, who is preparing to deliver her fifth child a few months from now told The New Times that she knew about the concert on her way to the hospital and showed up at the venue to have a glimpse of RBA TV's presenter Luckman Nzeyimana (Lucky).
"I came here to see Lucky because he is my favorite presenter but when he called me on stage I could not believe what happened to me all I can say is to thank MTN and everyone who contributed towards the money I have now. I was wondering where I would find next year's school tuition for my children but I am thankful that I got it. I am now going to look for a small business to do,” she said.
The concert also saw MTN launch its first ever ‘Tuza Bundles’, Internet bundles that do not expire. With the bundles, there is no daily, weekly or monthly time limit.
The telecom’s CEO Mitwa Kaemba Ng'ambi also introduced a challenge to raise smartphones to gift the unconnected community.
To kick off the challenge, Ng’ambi said, "MTN Rwanda and I pledge 1,100 smartphones to place in the hands of the unconnected in Rwanda. If we all pull together we can connect Rwanda”
She later passed the challenge to President Paul Kagame, Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire and BPR CEO Maurice Toroitich.