Hundreds throng airport to receive triumphant Alpha

Alpha Rwirangira, jetted in yesterday aboard a Kenyan Airways flight a day after being pronounced Tusker Project Fame 3 winner in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday. The 23-year old who walked away from the show Rwf 35million richer, was met by a mammoth crowd of fans, many of whom showered him with flowers and gifts. Speaking on arrival Alpha said “This trophy is not mine, it’s for the entire country, and I am thankful to my fans and the media who have sensitized people to keep voting,” said an excited Alpha. “I have learnt a lot while at the academy about music, and how best I can utilise my talents, this is just the beginning of my music career,” he said. Alpha was declared winner in a show that attracted Rwandan, Tanzanian, Kenyan, Ugandan contestants. Kenya’s Bernard Nganga, 23, Caroline Nabulime, 26 (Uganda) and Patricia Kihoro, 23 (Kenya), were first, second and third runners-up respectively. Also in Alpha’s prize galore is a one year recording contract with South Africa’s prestigious Gallo Records and a Resolution Health Premier Plus Medical Cover with an annual in patient limit of Kshs 10 million (Rwf 70m). Regarding plans on how he intends to invest his prize money, Alpha was reluctant to disclose his plans. Welcoming him home was the Minister of Sporst and Culture, Joseph Habineza, who hailed Alpha’s triumph in the regional reality show. “He has showcased our music and talents…his performance is a great contribution Rwanda’s integration into East African Community (EAC), it shows that we are ready to blend into the bloc,” said Habineza. “He has shown that we do have talented children in the country, who will be the Alphas of tomorrow,” said Habineza. Also present was Alpha’s father Joseph Bizima, who called upon Rwandan parents to respect and nurture their children’s talents. “My boy Alpha is still very young, I have advised him that he needs to go back to school so that he has more than one skill,” Bizima said. Bizima revealed that Alpha would perform at Kenya’s Shujaa day (heroes’ day) celebrations slated for October 20. Upon arrival Alpha, performed for the first time in a packed-to-the-brim Amahoro National Stadium. Ends