Rwandans mourn Mandela

In Rwanda, the name Nelson Mandela is attached to all the good causes. Rwandans joined the world in mourning the former leader. Edwin Musoni talked to the public about the passing on of the icon.Anatole Kaberuka, president of Inteko Izirikana. ‘He lived a heroic life. He has left a legacy of reconciliation for Africans. African leaders should learn from Mandela, look beyond their personal gains and work for their countries. Mandela looked at South Africa as part of his soul. He fought to keep it safe and this is a lesson has was left to the world.’Alice Buhinja, a political scientist. ‘He was a fighter who used peace to defeat war, a prisoner who held his captors hostage. I learnt a lot from him like being free in jail. I also learnt how to choose friends with his statements such as “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.” I read stories about a freedom fighter; one that had no word like impossible, one that respected human rights, Mandela was a freedom fighter indeed. I learnt about determination from Mandela. At this moment, I can’t stop but continue to read his book Long journey to Freedom. To me, the journey has not ended, it continues because the struggle for freedom continues everywhere in the world. May his Soul Rest in Peace.’Mark Ramba, a journalist. ‘Mandela as a leader did what leaders should do. Leaders should not make their people suffer, they should at all cost suffer for their people and Mandela did that. He abandoned hate, revenge and segregation for the sake of South Africa and South Africans–White and Black. We shall miss him. RIP Madiba.’ Patience Muyenzi, a human resource officer at Manumetal. ‘Mandela Madiba. The great worrier of Africa, the freedom fighter, the compassionate man, there are no words to describe him apart from wishing him a peaceful rest. His legacy will always lead Africa and the world at large.’Marc Gwamaka, businessman and proprietor of StirAfrica. ‘I have lived a few decades on earth, yet knowing the Africa’s greatest son was inevitable. It was truly inevitable because he did what others would not do. I might have not seen his walk to freedom but I have seen his spirit glow in African today, mostly in Rwanda rebuilding a nation after Genocide.’ Charles Sweetie Ruhinda, an IT support officer at MTN. ‘Rarely does a leader touch the hearts and souls of his people, indeed all people in such a way. May his legacy continue to guide Africa and the world. He really showed us what we are all capable of. His life was a gift to us all.’Innocent Ndoli, a customer care officer at Liquid Telecom. ‘Africa has lost a hero, a freedom fighter. I hope we, sons and daughters of Africa, can step in Madibas shoes and leave behind exemplary inspirations.’

National

Rwandans mourn Mandela