This year Ngeruka Faysal emerged from oblivion onto the African stage, coming ninth in East African Idol, the regional music competition. Faysal who loved singing since childhood, has been singing professionally for 7 years. But doors were really opened in 2003 when he joined the Coca Cola Pop Star competition. Last year, Faysal represented Rwanda at Imagine Africa with his group, Tumaini Africa (meaning hope of Africa). They each won $6,000. 27-year-old Faysal is Rwandan but was born in neighboring capital Kinshasa. He is the eldest of five siblings. He lives with his long time girlfriend Giseal and they were blessed with a baby boy, Tiam, seven months ago. Ends