Kamichi, singer, and Salax Award winner 2011“It’s sad people got killed simply because they were born Tutsi, and it is a shame that very many Rwandans participated in the massacring.I would have been really happy to meet Loti Bizimana and André Sebanani, whose songs are amongst my favourites. We always respect them and cherish their legacy. Everyday in my life, I see something that reminds me of what happened in 1994. I hope it won’t happen ever again!”Jolie Murenzi, Art director at Rwanda Cinema Centre. “As a person who is mourning my family; parents, sisters, relatives and friends, it took me ages to rebuild myself and to forgive the killers. There are some childhood friends I didn’t want to talk to since 1994 until recently in 2010, because their parents were involved in organising the Genocide-- but as we say in Kinyarwanda, Icyaha ni gatozi [criminal liability is individual].And, to some foreigners and diplomats working and living in Rwanda— this is time for them to break off for holidays. We live with them, but we mourn alone, is it because of the sadness, or shame that makes them go away?”Intore Masamba, singer“This is the period we remember, rebuild ourselves and avoid to be consumed by grief. We should stick together, hold onto one another and take responsibility for each other.”Miss JoJo, Singer“I would like the youth of Rwanda to take this remembering moment as a way to cleanse themselves and represent positively those who died. They are here in the name of their parents, friends, siblings killed during the Genocide. They shouldn’t, therefore, shame them by taking drugs. They should be creative so as to contribute positively to the countrys development by joining the campaign to fight against youth drug abuse and HIV-AIDS. linda.mbabazi@newtimes.co.rwAline Gahongayire, singer“What happened should never happen again and let what we saw teach us a lesson. We shouldn’t wish to destroy our country but instead rebuild it very well. If you are a survivour, take heart because surviving the Genocide means that you have to live. Let’s all put together and rebuild Rwanda, our motherland. God enable us to put together and build our country!”Manzi Bery, Vice President of Jabba Junior Foundation.“Let’s stick to our motto: Ubumwe, umurimo, gukunda igihugu (Unity, work and patriotism). We should be involved in positive activities, understand that we are one and that we all have the same rights to education, health….etc.”Jean Paul Samputu, singer “Surviving the Genocide means that we have to live– the history should inform us but not to control us.”
