As we grow economically, our values remain central

Editor, RE: “Tomorrow’s transformation is in your hands, Kagame tells youth” (The New Times, August 2). True, knowledge alone is not sufficient. Indeed the President also emphasised the importance of knowing one’s identity, values and culture. This message should not be seen as targeting only the youths living abroad, but all our young generations, including those living in the country. And even more importantly, by all grown-up Rwandans whose prime societal task is contrary to the current generalised frenzy of scrambling for money, and a lot of it. Being a grown-up in all living elements comes with an innate responsibility to properly foster the next generation. This is one of the six fundamental needs: to continue to be through reproducing self, both as an individual and as a community. Therefore, prior to amassing lots of money, and away from the many distractions afforded through possession of that money, we all ought to put ahead our identity, our values, and our culture, and transmit these to our offspring. The material wealth ought to be amassed upon these core values, only as a means to this end. Alas this isn’t generally the case; the means is taken by the majority among us to be the only worth end. In today’s context of our society, the advice given by the President happens to be particularly very complicated for the majority of us, Rwandans and Africans in general, let alone those youths the President was talking to. I guess most of them were born and are presently growing up in foreign cultures and societies. The President so rightly noted: “The countries you live in have their identity. You should also have your own identity and values that define you”. How one would expect those youths to have their own identity and values if, immediately around them, both in those countries they live in and back home in Rwanda, there are no adults themselves proudly carrying the Rwandan identity and values... for their own individual survival or “continuing to be”? Contrary to most people around the world, our Rwandan/African identity, values, and culture, have been havocked and almost wiped out of our inner and outer environments. Since the last 50 years or so, money, a lot of money, has insidiously become the sole ultimate goal in life for Rwandans, both young and old. Who will then reinstall, adapt, and keep transmitting identity and values other than money to our youths, to Rwandan future generations...for our survival or “continuing to be” as a community? Francois-Xavier Nziyonsenga ************************ The Head of State pointed out various important aspects. He is a man who preaches what he practices. For example, due to his exceptional leadership, Rwanda is among the best countries in Africa where one can conduct their business partly stemming from an abundance of safety and security. Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa and only country in sub-Saharan Africa where a motorcycle helmet and car seatbelts are compulsory. These are just three simple examples that warrant a social system built on a solid foundation. As Martin Luther King Jr. rightly remarked, intelligence plus character are the goals of true education. We should be aware that university qualifications are important but knowing your culture and identity gives a character that you will never learn at any university. Butare

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As we grow economically, our values remain central