Fred Mfuranzima
Born (1997-10-11) October 11, 1997
Huye, Rwanda
OccupationArtist, writer, poet, entrepreneur, peace activist
NationalityRwandan
Years active2017-Present
Notable worksThe lonely soul

Fred Mfuranzima is a Rwandan writer, artist, poet and peace activist.[1]

He founded Imfura Heritage, a platform to promote Rwandan art, literature, and peace activism.

He is the director and founder of Imfura Heritage Initiative, aims to use arts and literature to inspire sustainable and inclusive peace, mental health, and development in Rwanda. The project targets youth and adults of all genders, focusing on vulnerable communities. Through workshops, performances, and cultural exchanges, promote Rwandan and regional cultural heritage, foster healing, empower individuals, and facilitate dialogue for social cohesion. Collaborate with local artists and partnerships with schools and community organizations to ensure effective implementation.[2]

He has written various both in English and Kinyarwanda books that include: Child; Rwanda is poetry, The broken, Kuva ku gasozi Bututsi, Dreams to find another World, and A sister's left shoe and The lonely soul.[3]

Mfuranzima Fred has also written poems such as "My Shame", "Never Again", "Endless Music", "In low Voice", "Confession", "Three Patriots", "Umwiza", "Full of Respect", and "African Dreamer".[4][5]

As artist, he has organized several arts exhibitions and festivals for peace and human rights in the Africa Great Lakes region.[6]

Mfuranzima organizes a yearly arts festival for peace titled Imfura Heritage Festival, and feature different young artists for Africa Great Lakes Region. Where he got partnership with Israel Embassy in Rwanda, Germany Embassy in Rwanda, Kigali Public Library, European Union in Rwanda and different NGOs in Rwanda, such as Never Again Rwanda.[7]

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2022 in front of different diplomats, he cited his poem "'Never Again" at Kigali Genocide Memorial, calling every nation to rise for no more genocide.

On January 21, 2023, in his poem and song "Bi Yom HaShoah", Mfuranzima addressed different diplomats, where Aegis Trust was a host partnering different institutions including United Nations, the message he gave to the World was that "we must work together to build peace by peaceful means." He added "We can promote peace in our communities by working to eradicate poverty and for justice so that everyone is treated fairly."[8]

Early life and influence

Mfuranzima was born in Huye, the southern part of Rwanda in 1997, but he grew up in the slums of Kigali from a family of people who had survived the genocide. The background of his family later sparked passion in him, that led him into playing a role in peace building and reconciliation using poetry, writing and arts.[2][9]

In 2018, he joined Social Enterprises Academy on project development, planning and management, where he has applied for several different entrepreneurship classes.[1]

In 2019, he focused on peace building, and he joined Peace Building Institute, and several short courses on conflicts management and initiatives.

2020, he founded Imfura Heritage Rwanda, as an initiative that focus on using arts, literature, intellectual learnings to inspire the culture of peace in the Africa Great Lakes Region.

As a writer, Mfuranzima Fred has authored several acclaimed books that explore the themes of identity, reconciliation, and the human experience. His writings often depict the challenges and triumphs of individuals in post-genocide Rwanda, shedding light on the country's complex history and the process of healing and rebuilding.

As a peace activist, Mfuranzima Fred has been actively involved in various initiatives and campaigns aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region.

Mfuranzima FRED with Dr Ron Adam and Dr Joseph Ryarasa

Works and achievements

Poems

  • B Yom HaShoah [10]
  • Living behind a mask
  • Enheritance
  • My Shame[1]
  • Never Again
  • Endless Music
  • In low Voice
  • Confession
  • Three Patriots
  • Umwiza
  • Full of Respect
  • African Dreamer
  • Bless our Land
  • Dreams of a lonely soul
  • To forgive
  • As I grow
  • Rwanda,Future is yours
  • Peace of mind
  • The World will wake him up
  • Neighbors women
  • Where I come from
  • Land of our forefathers

Books

  • The Broken [11]
  • Child, Rwanda is Poetry
  • A Sister's Left Shoe
  • A speech Demanding Future
  • The lonely soul [12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Young author on using books to promote peace building". The New Times | Rwanda. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  2. 1 2 TOPAFRICANEWS (2019-10-31). "10 questions to Fred Mfuranzima, an inspiration to anyone who has ever dreamed about making a difference in the community". TOP AFRICA NEWS. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  3. ↑ Group, Umurage Wacu. "Umwanditsi Mfuranzima Fred". igicumbi.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  4. ↑ Yanditswe na Caissy Nakure Christine. "Ku myaka 21 amaze kwandika ibitabo 2 kuri Jenoside". Kigali Today. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  5. ↑ "24-year-old author's drive to ensure young writers thrive". The New Times | Rwanda. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ TOPAFRICANEWS (2020-07-29). "Mfuranzima Fred serving in the way to re-imagine the future of Africa in his new book " a speech demanding future"". TOP AFRICA NEWS. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  10. ↑ Brown, David (2023-01-27). "Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 at the Kigali Genocide Memorial". Aegis Trust. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  11. ↑ Mbabazi, Joan (2021-05-19). "24-year-old author's drive to ensure young writers thrive". The New Times. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  12. ↑ "The lonely soul". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
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