HE Eugene Munyakayanza, Ambassador of Rwanda, delivered a message dedicated to the future, forgiveness and all working together to build a new Rwanda |
“1994. The year of one of the most remarkable events of the twentieth century – Nelson Mandela became president of the new South Africa. 1994. The year of one of the most atrocious events of the twentieth century – the genocide in Rwanda.” These powerful words from MC Prof Divya Singh, Deputy Registrar of UNISA, set the scene for the addresses to follow at the Ceremony of Reflection for the Fourteenth Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda on 7 April 2008 at the ZK Matthews Hall. The event was co-hosted by the Primedia Chair of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at UNISA, the United Nations Information Centre, and the Embassy of Rwanda.
The evening was characterised by stories of hope, forgiveness and redemption. The gripping testimony of a young genocide survivor who forgave her father’s best friend who murdered her father, and who now lives as his neighbour again, made a huge impact on the spellbound audience.
Meanwhile, UNISA recently established the Primedia Chair of Holocaust and Gender Studies to focus on postgraduate research into the history of genocides in Africa and the effects of ethnicity and tribalism. This research is deeply relevant given the history of Africa, including the atrocities in Rwanda in the late 20th century, ongoing developments in Somalia and Darfur, instability in Zimbabwe and South Africa’s apartheid past. It is also important to pay tribute to those who have been victims of holocaust and genocide atrocities, which will be the purpose of the Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Museum. |
