By the time Ludwig van Beethoven finished composing “Ode to Joy” in 1824, he had lost his hearing. The song was to be performed for the first time at the Opera of Vienna, and since he could not hear, they placed another conductor behind him, and indeed he was off by a few notes. The song ended, but he was turning his back on the audience, facing the orchestra, until someone came and turned him to face an entire opera on its feet, in a standing ovation to the Maestro of Classical Music…
Rwanda is an orchestra, of which Paul Kagame is the Maestro. But unlike Beethoven, since the day, in 1990, whence he set out to take over our defeated orchestra, he hasn’t turned his back on us. Therefore there is no need to look for a substitute conductor, for he hears us just fine. We have violinists, we have pianists, trumpetists and trombonists, but the music couldn’t be perfect without our illustrious conductor.
While our Ode to Joy may be misunderstood, Rwandan music is best savoured by those who play it, those who hear it, and those who dance it, for the mere sight of Paul Kagame – its composer; the mere hearing of his voice, bring back strong memories, of exile, of death, of survival and of rebirth. Then again, as Nietzsche would put it, ‘those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music’.
Assessing Rwandan elections and politics without factoring in that reality is missing the essential. Paul Kagame cannot be compared to other politicians alive. None of them has changed people’s lives to such historical magnitude. I speak for myself, and dare speak for millions of other Rwandan too.
Paul Kagame stopped the genocide against the Tutsi and forgave its perpetrators. Think about that. No one has ever forgiven killers of his own relatives, then employed them in his government, educated their children and gave them medical coverage.
Thirty years ago, the Rwandan Patriotic Army led by Paul Kagame won a decisive victory. It did not come to power as a result of an armistice following a stalemate between forces, or a peace deal brokered by superpowers, in fact, those superpowers had all deserted the small African country, leaving its minority to be wiped out.
But upon victory, the RPF chose to share its power with those it had defeated. It chose to forgive its hitherto foes, even after they had done unspeakable horrors. No politician, nor political movement in history has done that.
Genocide survivors say “Inkotanyi ni Ubuzima” (Inkotanyi give life). Indeed the RPF-Inkotanyi movement led by Paul Kagame saved their lives. In a country where they were frequently killed, he gave them life, in a country where they were looked down upon, segregated, denigrated, he gave them dignity and pride.
And to us who were born stateless, raised in exile, being called disparaging names, he gave a country, a citizenship, he restored our name: by his actions, we will forever be known as: The Children of Rwanda!
Yet to the born free, the young, he has given only the best. Rwanda is no rich country, but within our little means, we care for one another. Children are taller, more beautiful, more confident than their parents ever were, because from Kigali to the most remote corners of the country, Rwandan children have only known cleanliness. They have drunk milk and ate vegetables from birth. Their country started catering for them upon conception. Every kick, every turn in their mothers wombs was expertly studied by village healthcare service providers, nurses and doctors.
Upon birth, their mothers didn’t lack breastfeeding milk for Kagame had given them a cow and baby formula. They have all been treated when sick, worn shoes, attended pre-school and school from tender age. Rwandan youth have not seen their fathers beat their mothers, in fact they have not been beaten themselves. As they graduate and look for jobs, they have not been side-lined because of their gender, religion or ethnicity. They all belong.
This Kagame generation are ‘Children of the promise’, I mean, their country lays a rubber carpet on their running tracks to protect their knees, it stops Sunday traffic so they can exercise. It partners with European clubs to teach them football, builds stadia and arenas of global standards so they can play in auspicious conditions. It invites world renowned universities to homeschool them, and every now and then, they meet their president for mentorship.
Elders had despaired that they would never see Rwanda again, that they would die in exile. Rwandans have a special bond with their country and their biggest fear is to die away from their motherland. They have all returned home, where they celebrate their children’s weddings, grandchildren births and graduations. Their life expectancy too has been raised to enable them to live long and witness the fruits of their prayers, all thanks to Paul Kagame. How could ancestors not be proud of him? How couldn’t we all vote for him?
So to quote Beethoven, ‘Ah! how could he possibly quit before bringing forth all that he feels it was he vocation to achieve?’
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music” -Nietzsche
Thank you Gatete for this profound and timely piece on Rwanda’ s “Ode to Joy” I literally devoured it!
Keep it up!
The road less traveled. The music is well understood by Rwandans ????
Genocide survivors say “Inkotanyi ni Ubuzima” (Inkotanyi give life). Indeed the RPF-Inkotanyi movement led by Paul Kagame saved their lives. In a country where they were frequently killed, he gave them life, in a country where they were looked down upon, segregated, denigrated, he gave them dignity and pride.
Dear Gatete, 20 years ago I came back from Canada, worn out mentally and physically to get healing from lovely and loving mother. You were then a young, passionate and dedicated new human right Lawyer…I saw in you a bright and successful future…but your commitment to equity and justice was scaring me off…I saw you standing up without compromising on your dedication to the love of our little people’s right…now, reading this great of your writings… I’m telling myself what a Wonderful People of Rwanda!.. and I hear myself saying…I have told you so, then in 2004, you Gatete, were destinated to great heights. Keep up uncompromising being You!
Grand, I remember vividly that time, you were always supportive. I value your counsel and I in fact miss it. I still have a long way to go, and I hope I make it worth your while. I hope you’ve been well..
Simply wonderful from Maestro Poet Gatete.
Cher Gatete, mon frère.
Comme le Phœnix de la légende, tu reviens encore plus brillant, plus accompli, malgré les nombreuses fois où tu as publiquement annoncé ta retraite. Ce qui en soi reste et demeure un détail dans la vie et le parcours d’un Intore qui est toujours prêt et aguerri à répondre au devoir. Le Rwanda de 2024 a dépassé ses limites territoriales et est devenu le fond de commerce d’une certaine presse et d’intérêts. Ce n’est qu’un challenge de plus sur notre route. Nous n’avons pas eu la cuillère en argent à notre naissance mais nos efforts sous un leadership éclairé portent des fruits. H.E. résume nos aspirations parce il s’est non seulement imposé une discipline de fer mais il a formulé sa pensée et nous avons librement adhéré à son projet de société. Tout comme, dans la confidentialité du bureau de l’urne, chaque Rwandais ou Rwandaise a exprimé son choix et sa volonté pour les 5 prochaines années. Si les occidentaux ne peuvent pas respecter celà. Nous savons à qui nous avons à faire et ce que nous devons attendre. Nous avançons avec un cœur qui bat au diapason, réconciliés, convaincus que nos efforts, nos taxes ont un impact direct sur la communauté. Le reste est non seulement gérable mais aussi et surtout négligeable. Alea Jacta Est. J-L K
Thank you for the kind words big brother. I remember it as though it was yesterday. I am merely the sum of all the mentorship I received from big brothers including you. I hope you have been well.
Kudos Brother Gatete ????????
And yes, our children are born free and destined to a promising future ????????????
Dear Gatete,
As a fellow fan of Beethoven, I was thrilled by your analogy, making me devour every piece of the article with excitement. I felt like I was both part of the orchestra, actively contributing, and in the audience, watching in amazement at our achievement. That sense of pride has been with me throughout the campaign, leaving me speechless at times, thinking, “Wow, we did this!”
We constantly push ourselves to be greater and often outperform ourselves unknowingly. This is what happens when the Maestro is exceptional; he sets the bar high for each of us, elevating our patriotism and pan-Africanism.
Thank you for sharing your talent. Your writing skill is like Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, reading you is an emotional journey that captures a range of emotions, and I promise to hunt you down if you ever stop the music.
Proud to be your cousin!
Classic comment Couz, let the music play on then…
Thank You Gatete, what a Master piece!!! I can relate very well to the entire story. Kudos to you, to H.E Paul Kagame and to the beautiful people of Rwanda. I recall my late Dad Dr. Mutezintare used to tell me” Ntimukaryamire sha mujye mubyuka kare mujye kwiga, Dore mwabonye Igihugu”. This made me pull myself together and i can see that the future is not only bright for us and our children, but for many generations ahead of us.