Though new coronavirus has rendered them redundant, corporate emcees, also known as ‘Master of Ceremonies’, still play distinct roles on occasions. Considering the corporate culture that was cropping up in Kigali before the lockdown, MCs were becoming much sought after to take charge of corporate seminars, parties, cocktails, conferences, even weddings where these individuals are hired to spice up the events. Even as they take a hiatus thanks to COVID-19, local emcees still have a lot to say on what it takes to be a good MC, building connections, challenges they encounter, and how to earn from it. Joe Babu, an emcee and comedian based in Kigali, notes that earning from this side job, demands one to be excellent at what they do, and also be ready to perform for free for a couple of events, as the public gets to know them better. Fiston Felix Habineza hosting a traditional wedding ceremony. Courtesy photo. He explains that it is tricky having this kind of job as full-time employment because some events are seasonal, giving an example of these pandemic times where they are not being hired at all. “Skilled public speaking, coupled with good branding and marketing, should bring endless lucrative opportuni-ties,” says Jackie Lumbasi, a corporate English and Kiswahili emcee. She says that the payments are fair, depending on the assignment, duration, and the client. It is possible for someone to survive on only that, as they concentrate on improvement. According to Fiston Felix Habineza, a French and Kinyarwanda emcee, to earn money one needs to maximize how best they are at events, as that is how their potential is discovered. Whether it is a big or small event, one’s performance would push them to the next opportunity. “For some reason, emceeing is a respected business since it enables an emcee to address various people in their professions. This, therefore, is the main reason as to why emcees should be professional and well informed about what is happening,” Habineza emphasizes. He also points out that for an emcee to be famous, they should know the value of networking. Nevertheless, Jackie Kalisa, commonly known as Jackie K’Lisa or Miss PK on Twitter, who is a part-time emcee, stresses that emceeing requires one to choose a field that they are passionate about. Either corporate or entertain-ment events, therefore, one needs to identify a field that they are good at. There is also a big opportunity for women since they are few in this field, she adds. Kalisa is of the view that Master of Ceremonies should engage the audience, interact with them freely and the magic will just happen. If the event becomes successful, credit goes to the MC and thus creating a platform to market themselves. Lumbasi, explains that there is much that entails in this profession that shouldn’t be overlooked, for instance, the audience’s appeal, eloquence, and a great appearance. An emcee should have vigor and be persuasive in their speech, and exude smartness which is a must. Kalisa points out that while at it, remember to use the opportunity to market yourself by sharing business cards with your phone numbers, addresses, email, just in case someone wishes to reach out to them. She also notes that it is necessary for one to let others know about their emceeing talent, by utilizing social media or even share some of their recorded works. This might win them clients. Habineza explains that reading as many books as you can on public speaking, attending seminars, rehearsing speaking and gesturing, can make you a great em-cee. But mostly, one’s communication power would earn them a big market. Lumbasi, who is also a presenter and manager at Royal FM, points out that the greatest challenge emcees encounter, is working with the audience, knowing them and ensuring that they are served even beyond their expectations. She adds that timekeeping is another challenge. It ends up being the responsibility of an MC yet they can’t fully control the speakers. The MCs hope that soon the country will go back to normal and they continue to ply their trade.
