On February 01, 2013, Rwanda will celebrate the 19th Heroes Day. It is a time when we announce people of valour and humour, and seek to reflect on the values for which they are remembered that will make our nation stronger.

As we prepare to commemorate National Heroes Day, let’s define the word hero in its proper context. For instance, do we have heroes, courageous people or martyrs of fate?

It is in effect, rather complex to identify a hero in a society. Many scholars have gone as far as saying that the definition of a hero depends on the individual or individuals.

In other words, they are trying to tell us that the definition of a hero is normally, influenced by people’s attitudes. Therefore, in such cases, where we have biased definition(s), it is not easy to tell who is actually a hero or not.

The worst paradox comes when some people who find themselves out of power after liberations, regard heroes as ‘villains’.

So who is a hero? The remote belief is that heroes are extraordinary people who performed tremendous deeds, beyond the capabilities of an average man/woman championing life-promoting values and uncompromising commitment to their purpose aimed at the common good. One such conservative or traditional reference in Rwanda is Major General Fred Rwigema —regarded as the undisputed hero.

Besides commanding his men in battles, Rwigema also led them into the battles, being always in the front and in the middle of the battle.

This showed tremendous bravery because he was vulnerable to bullets, just as his juniors and indeed, he died fighting.

In Africa people like Lieutenant Sankar, Samora Machel, and Nelson Mandela are few examples of undisputed great heroes. In Europe we can talk of people like Alexander the Great of Greece, Martin Luther King Jr of USA, among others. These people possessed the qualities that enabled their countries and societies to establish itself as the greatest power in the known world.

Names of heroes like the late Agatha Uwiringiyima, King Charles Mutara Rudahigwa, Michael Rwagasana, who died in prison under Gregoire Kayibanda the first president of independent Rwanda, students of Nyange Secondary School and Felecite Niyitegeka are remembered and valorized.

These individuals are great nationalists who should be emulated by us all, young and old. They should not have died in vain but rather they should serve as inspiration and/ or reminders that we should act individually and collectively to safeguard national, pro-social values and guard their ideals.

For instance, the students of Nyange who refused to be separated by genociders died heroes and should be a constant reminder that we should resist any force that attempts to adulterate our nation. As we mark the National Heroes, let us consider what values they represent and uphold them.

Like our heroes, we should value honesty; fairness, humility, kindness, courtesy and compassion as some of the values that guided our heroes. Warriors have died for us, men and women have given their precious lives for us and now it is our turn to embrace their patriotism, heroism and a sense of duty and sacrifice to the nation by working all together to improve the quality of life for all Rwandense. We have the opportunity on days like national heroes day to commit ourselves and to renew our values.

I agree with Obama when he says that “sometimes we need cultural transformation and government action – a change in values and a change in policy- to promote the kind of society we want” but the process of change has to be within the matrix of our value system. I believe it is essential for all of us to have strong ties to our local heroes in that our young people grow up knowing intimately those who have paved the way for them.

While we are remembering our heroes, some people argue that there are many less prominent heroes who served this country honourably but unknown today and despite their great deeds may end up unrecognized due to some few setbacks among others being lack of data in the country books of records.

Though to some extent I agree with these people, but on the other hand I believe that, the process is still on. It is going to be long but at least one day, most people who have sacrificed for this nation will be recognised. Much as there is a detailed list of people who are about to be named heroes, it remains a challenge to access all the detailed data on their contributions.

The current National Awards Committee still has a long way to go and has experienced a number of setbacks notably building data banks on all the nominees and named heroes. I believe that the standards for identifying heroes and awarding them with medals and other kinds of honours is less or not known by the majority public.

It should be therefore much of importance for the National Awards Committee to make sure that the process, standards and criteria of determining national heroes are publicly known by all Rwandans, with measures approved by Cabinet.

By establishing a publicly known standards for heroes we can create a culture of national pride where young people know Rwandan legends by name and are aware of their historical significance.

All Rwandans should be in position to nominate people they believe have made heroic contributions to this nation. People should be aware that the concept of heroism is not just military or political; people from other areas can and have contributed more to the country than even the fighters.

National Awards Committee should put nomination forms at different centres all over the country for Rwandese to fill them and then submit them back to the National Awards Committee is possible. Then the committee and other few selected people should be responsible for vetting and approving heroes.

These will help to alleviate bias that has marred other countries and build confidence in sections of the public in some countries that had complained that there were no standard criteria known to all that is used in selecting national heroes and that those who selected and honoured mostly comprised former bush fighters, collaborators of the ruling party, historicals and presidential loyalists.

The Heroes’ Day should be used to show those still alive the correct path to follow in serving the country through commitment to progress and development.

As we celebrate the 19th anniversary of national heroes day, let us ensure that the blood shed by the Rwandan heroes in the various liberation endeavours was not in vain by continuing to capitalize from the significance progress the country have made and ensure that our people continues to enjoy full and meaningful freedom with development, reconstruction and growth, which are the key elements of prosperity for our people.