Staff members of Crystal Ventures Ltd (CVL) marked the 29th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi by honouring those laid to rest at Kigali Genocide Memorial site.

The event, organized by Crystal Connect and held on April 21, brought together staff members of 12 subsidiary companies of CVL who were briefed about the history that led up to the Genocide and atrocities that victims went through, as well as the brave efforts towards stopping it.

They laid wreaths on the graves of the victims laid to rest at the memorial site and later led into the auditorium for discussions preceded by a testimony by Jean Damascene Nsabimana who, as a 12-year-old, witnessed the Genocide unfolding in his eyes; his father’s gruesome death, and days and nights in appalling hiding places.

Nsabimana went on to share the struggles and hardships that he and his siblings faced until the RPF-Inkotanyi liberated them.

Nsabimana is now married with two children; he is an employee of Ruliba Clays, one of the subsidiaries of CVL. He says his current status and achievements are a true reflection of resilience and development.

The history of the Genocide, that claimed more than one million lives in 100 days, is constantly being distorted by revisionists and deniers who use different means, platforms, and tactics.

Talking to the mourners, Obadiah Biraro, Executive Chairman of CVL, emphasized that history makes it clear that the Genocide was planned and executed, and was not as a result of the shooting down of the presidential plane, as many deniers claim it to be.

He noted that there would be no going forward without remembering the bitter history of the country, so as to draw lessons and ensure that it never happens again.

"You should be outstanding in every work you lay hands on and do that in an exemplary way to exhibit that rebuilding ourselves while preserving our history is doable,” he added.

Tom Ndahiro, a renowned Genocide researcher, exhorted them to always remember so that they can develop the country in a firm and sustainable way.

He called on the youth to play an active role in counteracting the spread of Genocide ideology and denialism that manifests in different forms and is rampant on several media platforms.

"The last stage of Genocide is denial. This starts as early as its planning and goes on throughout all the stages of execution. We are in times when the words that were used during the Genocide are being used in narratives by foreigners to distort the history and deny the Genocide,” he explained.

He urged the commemorators not to be adamant in the face of such revisionism and denial.

CVL, through Crystal Connect – a CSR Foundation arm of the group, has been part and parcel of efforts towards preserving the memory of Genocide victims and the path towards development.

In May 2022, CVL partnered with Rwamagana District to rehabilitate Muhazi memorial site that is home to more than 9,000 Genocide victims.

Brenda Muteteri, Managing Director of Crystal Connect Foundation, noted that this is among many other partnership efforts contributing to creating an avenue to honor those laid to rest and to remember loved ones while learning about historical facts.