Fred Mfuranzima is a Rwandan writer, artist, poet, and peace activist. He has written books in English and Kinyarwanda. He founded Imfura Heritage Rwanda, a platform to promote Rwandan art, literature, and peace activism. Mfuranzima has authored 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.
Fred 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.[1][2]
Career
Mfuranzima with Ron Adam and Joseph Ryarasa
Mfuranzima has written various books in English and Kinyarwanda, including: 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 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 an artist, he has organized several art 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 features different young artists for Africa Great Lakes Region. He got partnerships 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]
In 2018, he joined Social Enterprises Academy on project development, planning and management, where he has applied for several different entrepreneurship classes.[citation needed] In 2019, he focused on peace building, and he joined Peace Building Institute, and several short courses on conflicts management and initiatives.[citation needed]
In 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.
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]
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