The appreciation was made yesterday as Rwanda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Mother Language Day during a ceremony held virtually to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognized journalists range different categories including writers and broadcasters.

Maniraguha Ferdinand, an author and IGIHE journalist who emerged the best writer revealed that he was surprised for the recognition and urged fellow journalists to develop the spirit of promoting Kinyarwanda language as one of cultural vestiges.

“It is a great pleasure to be selected among journalists promoting the perfect use Kinyarwanda. I am passionate about writing but the recognition gives me courage to carry on. As a Rwandan working with a media house running Kinyarwada stories, I feel that fine tuning Kinyarwanda writing is my responsibility to promote my mother tongue language and write in a way style easily understood by readers,” he said.

“Journalists and other Rwandans should understand the relevance of upholding Kinyarwanda as one of major cultural vestiges,” added Maniraguha.

Other recognized best journalists include Yves Butoyi of Radio Salus, Ngabirano Olivier of TV1 and Barore Cléophas, RBA journalist and Chairperson of Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) who emerged the overall outstanding journalist.

Researchers, students and artistes are among other people recognized by RCHA for promoting the perfect use of Kinyarwanda language.

Speaking to IGIHE, female singer Karasira Clarisse attributed the recognition to the love for Rwanda language and culture.

“I am fond of my culture and language and eager to expend much effort in promoting them. With this regard, I compose songs depending on specific message I want to convey most importantly focusing on Rwandan culture and Kinyarwanda to with which I am fond of,” she said.

In Rwanda, this year’s theme revolved around ‘Kinyarwanda language, the foundation of unity and dignity of Rwandans’ while the global theme goes by ‘Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society’.

The list of recognized individuals was read yesterday during a live ceremony on RTV that was characterized by traditional performances and play encouraging the general public to uphold Kinyarwanda language and Rwandan culture.