Diva magazine Issue 14

EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE

May 2015 - July 2015

age Yes But Do so gracefullY

KwibuKa21: Hope does not disappointare Beauty Pageants necessary? are You a

SuretY?five things: never to

say in a JoB interview

the changing face of masculinity

DeBts swallowing you?

COVER STORY

HaKIZIMaNaLYDIE FREECOPY

issue no. 14

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editor’s note“In all my travels, I have never seen a country’s population more determined to forgive, and

to build and succeed than in Rwanda.” Pastor Rick Warren.

Within these hundred days of mourning there are people still coming to terms with reality,

people still locked in unforgiveness and the happenings of that fateful day and people

still grappling with pertinent questions they have no answers to. Yet in the middle of this

emerges a genocide survivor Kayirangirwa Harriet, whose determination to let go and let

God is a story you want to read.

We also have a look at MININFRA (Ministry of Infrastructure) and their recent event to

honour and commemorate the lives of their former workers lost during the 1994 Genocide

against the Tutsi.

As we continue rebuilding Rwanda and seeking solutions to the ills that bedevil our beloved

country, some Rwandans, in their own small or big way are not only impacting Rwanda but

also carrying in their bellies big dreams that will affect future generations of Rwandans.

One such unique, talented and visionary Rwandan is our cover personality, Lydie

Hakizimana, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Ltd, a publishing company

based in Kigali. Hers is a deep passion and determination to see as many Rwandans

as possible reading because as long as Rwandans do not read, they can expect little

intellectual and consequently economic development.

If you’re looking for something a little light and relaxing, perhaps the review on Serena

Kigali’s Maisha Spa will be right up your street. Need tips on how to age gracefully, read

Martha Ayuma’s article on how to achieve that. But if you’re looking for enlightenment on

the opposite sex, then might I suggest reading: the Changing Face of Masculinity (Page 40).

As usual, we have pushed ourselves to make sure that there’s a little bit of everything to

suit your interests.

The grace of God that is sufficient has continued to see THE DIVA flourish hence our

presenting you with yet another issue. I would like to take the time to thank our partners

and sponsors whose steadfast support over the seasons cannot go unmentioned.

THE DIVA team appreciates every single one of you: we are here for you and

because of you.

Lillian M. Ndirima

PS: Remember to drop us a line or two on [email protected]

CONTENTS

06

08

12

14

18

20

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

42

44

47

48

50

It is well

Kwibuka21: Hope does not disappoint

Kwibuka21: mInInfRa Commemorates

Cover Story: Lydie Hakizimana

are Beauty Pageants necessary?

Special Economic Zone: Current Status

Debts Swallowing You?

fiona mbabazi njuguna

media: Why The media Is Vital In a nation’s Lifeline

age Yes But Do So Gracefully

Bathrooms: Style it up

are You a Surety?

five Things: never To Say in a Job Interview

The Changing face of masculinity

finding Your niche in Life

a Little Rest and Relaxation

Glazed Salmon with Spiced Carrots

Children’s Corner

Pictorial: RwandairLaunches Directflights to Lusaka

SALES & MARKETING

GLANCE MEDIA LTDP. O. Box 4665 Kigali, Gishushu, Nyarutaram Rd,Kigali - Rwanda

www.thedivamagazine-rw.com

All rights reserved. Production is whole

or in part without written permission is

strictly prohibited. The name The DIVA

is a registered trademark of Glance

Media Ltd.

Liberty; while every care is taken in

the preparation of this magazine the

publishers cannot be held responsible

for the accuracy of information herein

or any consequences arising from it.

PUBLISHERFALCON G. NDIRIMA

EDITORSLILLIAN M. NDIRIMAANN ANJAO

CONTRIBUTORSANN ANJAOCLAIRE NGANG’AEFUA HAGANJESSE KIMANIJOHN KARANJAMARTHA AYUMAOSCAR KIMANUKASHARON BIDERIWILLIAM KARAIGA

PHOTOGRAPHYGlance Media Ltd

DESIGN AND LAYOUTGLANCE MEDIA LTD

devotion

By Anne Anjao

When peace like a river,attendeth my Way,

When sorroWs like sea billoWs roll;Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to knoW,

it is Well, it is Well, With my soul.

It Is

Well

THE DIVA May - Jul 20156

devotion

Great lyrics, great tune, great song. While many of us sing and love this song, few of us know its origin. Before I give you the brief history behind it, I must hasten to add that you need to know the story of Job. Job was a devout man whom God Himself described as blameless and even dared Satan to tempt because God was sure of Job’s faithfulness. And Satan did attack Job. In one day, Job’s entire family (with the exception of his wife), animals and servants lay dead. Within a matter of hours. I can’t imagine greater sorrow than that.

Back to our song: A successful Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford, can be likened to Job. His only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, fire ravaged real estate holdings he had heavily invested in. In need of a sabbatical from the stress that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November to catch the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ across the Atlantic. Just before they set sail, a last-minute business development caused Horatio to delay. Instead of letting this ruin the family holiday, Horatio persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow later. However,

nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: “Saved alone.”

On November 2nd 1873, the ‘Ville de Havre’ had collided with ‘The Lochearn’, an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford’s first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, “You were spared for a purpose.” And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, “It’s easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God.” (Source: www.todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)

Life can deal us a cruel blow. However, our attitude will determine how we weather these storms in life. My heart goes out to those who are grieving from the loss of a spouse, parent, child, kin.

No one can explain the pain one goes through. My heart goes out to those who sorrow after suffering calamity after calamity; a death, a fire, sickness. During this time we remember those whose lives were needlessly cut short due to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, let’s sing to ourselves again and again that it is well. A loved one is a loved one. Over the years, tears have flowed and will continue to flow over this senseless mass murder of an innocent people.

There are those today who are confined within the dull and uninviting walls of various hospitals. Some are in there for a

No matter the situation, what should never escape our hearts and minds is that God forever remains on the throne. Certain things are clear from Spafford’s song:

a) In the midst of untold pain, our trust in the Lord must remain unwavering.

b) God is never the source of our troubles.

c) Satan’s plan is to destroy but God is in the business of rebuilding, restoring and renewing.

So dear friend, hang in there.It is well with your soul.

short time while others are in it for the long haul. The doctors have pronounced on them the final judgment so theirs is to wait. Agonizing, if you ask me.

How about the loved ones of the victims of Air Malaysia Flight MH370 that just disappeared a year ago from space? I wonder, what goes on in the minds of these relatives and friends? What do you tell this five year old whose father was on that flight? That daddy is on a journey and that he will return or that daddy died? Oh the mental anguish.

THE DIVA May - Jul 2015 7

Hope doesnot disappoint

Genocide:

By John Karanja

kwibuka 21


“they killeD my family anD for many years i liveD with the Pain, so i DeciDeD to visit them in Jail anD forgive them”

Kayirangirwa, a genocide survivor who has managed to overcome the traumatic memories and rebuild her life utters those words with marked determination to forge ahead in life as she has always done.

who is kayirangirwa harriet?

I was born in Rwamagana, Eastern Province but currently live in Kabuga in Kigali and am a genocide survivor.

how olD you were Back in 1994 when the genociDe haPPeneD?

21 years ago, I celebrated my 20th birthday with enthusiasm and optimism about the future. Where were you at the time the Genocide broke out?My family had remained in Rwamagana despite the fact that stories of people fleeing to neighbouring countries kept coming in. My father kept assuring us all would be well and peace would prevail. This however changed three weeks before the genocide. We realized that even our neighbours had started treating us differently. Some of our friends avoided us. They started calling us weird names. We kept seeing small groups of people coming and going pointing towards our houses. Radio stations we once loved to listen to started spreading hateful messages calling on people to ‘Uproot the weeds’ while playing strange songs that made us feel unsafe for the first time.

so DiD your family also flee the war? No. We found the strength to stay on. At this time it looked more dangerous to leave than to stay because we kept getting reports of killings in the surrounding provinces.

so when DiD the attacks start in rwamagana?

All hell broke loose when we got reports that President Habyarimana had died in a plane crash. That night we did not sleep; there was tension everywhere. We cooked food but nobody including the small children could eat.

DiD your family still DeciDe to remain

BehinD anD hoPe for Peace even with all these glaring signs?

The whole family decided it was time for us to escape. The other option was to look for ways to defend ourselves. As we hurriedly started putting together some belongings, some of our neighbours came out to reassure us that all was well. We later learned that they were actually spies; they leaked the information on how many we were, and on our course of action.

DiD your family manage to escaPe?

I remember it was around mid-day when we suddenly saw the ‘Interahamwe’ militia surround the whole compound. I was shell -shocked when I saw their faces. They looked scary; some of the ‘machetes’ they were carrying had blood stains. We knew this was the end and it was time to save our lives. One of my brothers tried to confront them when they started looting but they quickly surrounded him and his body was sent flying to the ground. At that particular moment there was a big shout coming from the other end of the compound and their attention was a bit distracted. I took that opportunity to squeeze myself through the wall of our house and managed to sneak away. Some of those who were on the rooftop tried to alert the others by pointing towards my direction but luckily I managed to escape.

so where DiD you go from here?

The only place to run to was SAI, a hydroelectric generation center which was always guarded by soldiers. We were about 100 people. The soldiers allowed us to stay but left immediately, telling us they were going to call for back up.

were you safe there now that the solDiers haD left?

No, we were not safe. In a few minutes, we were again ambushed by the ‘Interahamwe’ militias whom we later learnt had been called by the soldiers. More people lost their lives here. I witnessed them slaughter my father, my father-in-law and my husband.

That must have been very painful for you

This was the most painful moment of my life. I wanted to confront them but I quickly realized that I would suffer the same fate and so I retreated and once again

kwibuka 21


managed to sneak away but with some serious head injuries. Today when I remember the way women, children and the old were shouting and crying for help at the top of their voices, I feel lost and empty. They were just innocent souls who had absolutely nothing to do with politics. It still disturbs me why a fellow human being would really carry out such heinous acts.

so where DiD you go now after that narrow escaPe the seconD time?

I spent three days in a swampy bush not knowing what would happen next. More survivors joined me as the killings continued. We were forced to drink very dirty water to stay alive. Many people who had escaped with serious injuries collapsed one by one as we watched. Children and the elderly were the most affected. Their demise troubles me even today. It is very painful to see a person die as you watch and you can’t do anything.

how DiD you manage to survive anD when were you rescueD?

Ten days passed and still there was no help. We were now very weak. We had lost hope that anybody would rescue us. We could go a whole day without talking to one another. Then came the 11th day. The sun shone up in the sky and there no signs of rain that day. Around noon, we heard noises and all of us started crawling to try and hide deeper into the bush. But the voices became clearer and clearer as they came closer. We then realized they were RPF Soldiers. I felt alive again. It still remains the best moment of my life. They took us to Gahini Hospital for treatment.

DiD you recognize those who killeD your family?

Yes absolutely, I know them. Most of them are in jail but some managed to escape.

have you ever met these PeoPle who

killeD your family?

Yes I have met them. They killed my family and for many years I lived with the pain but one day I decided to do what the Bible tells us. I decided to visit them in jail and forgive them. I must admit that I felt relieved when I did that. I decided to start a new life and leave the past to God. I now visit them every time there is a chance to do so. God gives you this life to do good to mankind not to promote evil.

how many PeoPle in total DiD you lose During the genociDe?

To be honest, this is one of the most difficult and painful questions to answer. It still pains me when I remember my family. I lost my entire family. My two kids, my mother, father, husband, father-in-law, brothers and sisters. We used to live together in a big compound. It was easy for them to target one big family and just slaughter everybody. I live in this world like someone who just dropped from the sky. Its’ really difficult for me but I thank God that I am alive today.

DiD you ever get a chance to give them a Decent Burial or even locate their remains?

No, I only managed to bury my father-in-law. I would have wished to see all their graves but even today I don’t know where the rest were buried. I however hope that one day I will be able to lay them to rest in my land here in Kabuga.

you have mentioneD kaBuga, how DiD you move from rwamagana?

After recovering from my injuries, I heard that there was a family member who had survived the genocide and was living in Kabuga. I managed to find my step-brother who was lucky to have been away at the time of the attack.

kwibuka 21


life must have Been Difficult to start all over again when you haD aBsolutely nothing

That is very true. My brother however helped me with some money and I started a milk business. I could wake up at 4am and make the journey to Nyagatare, buy milk and then bring it to Kigali for sale. I started saving some money but after some time I had to stop the business because it was very tiresome. I came back to the house at 10pm and sometimes 11pm and then woke up at 4am the next day. It was very difficult.

without Business how were you now Planning to survive?

Luckily at that time, the government started giving plots to genocide survivors and now I embarked on building my own house. After building the house, I decided to enrol myself for a tailoring course at my church (ADPR) and after one year, I started my business. Now I am a professional and I must say I have made a good amount of money through this business.

that is very interesting anD encouraging to hear

I thank God for that.

DiD you BuilD this house using the money from tailoring?

I can say most of it yes but early last year I got stuck in the middle but thanks to our Widows Genocide Survivors Association called AVEGA AGAHOZO, I managed to get a loan from Rusororo Sacco to complete the rental houses you see from behind. I will finish paying the loan in a few months’ time and am thinking of doing a chicken business. I believe all will work out well. AVEGA has helped us a lot over the years. They have taught us how to start and manage small and medium enterprises among other things.

what can you say aBout the reconciliation Process here in rwanDa?

I think it is important especially for genocide survivors. Without it people like me would have committed suicide a long time ago but reconciliation has allowed us to forgive those people who killed our families and it makes it easier to move on with life.

if a stranger asks you aBout genociDe in rwanDa what can you tell them?

I will tell them Genocide happened and it’s really the most horrible thing that can ever happen to a human being. Those who still deny it, I don’t know what’s wrong with them. I myself experienced it; people killed their children and wives just because they were perceived to belong to the wrong group. It’s the worst animosity I have ever seen.

what can you tell those who killeD your family anD those who committeD genociDe crimes?

I wish they thought twice before killing innocent people. I myself have forgiven them and I mean it. I am now hopeful about the future.

what woulD you like the government to Do for all genociDe survivors?

We need the government to always be close to our lives. The government should help to build houses for all those genocide survivors who still don’t have somewhere to call home. It can be very painful to be homeless 21 years since liberation even after losing everything including family members in the genocide.

what can you tell other genociDe survivors like you?

Yes, we all lost our loved ones and property but we can’t continue crying over spilt milk. God gave us a second chance to live, now let us try and work hard to improve our lives and also help the government to rebuild our country.

kwibuka 21


MININFra coMMeMorateS aNd hoNourS colleagueS loSt IN the 1994 geNocIde

agaINSt the tutSI

as the country continues the 100 days of remembrance of the 1994 genocide against the tutsi, the ministry of infrastructure

(mininFra), set aside the 8th of may 2015, to honour and commemorate the ministry’s workers, who lost their lives

during that period.

kwibuka 21

By Sharon Bideri


The Minister of Infrastructure, Honourable James Musoni, and the Minister of State in Charge of Energy, Water and Sanitation, Honourable Kamayirese Germaine, paid a visit to Ndera in Gasabo District, where they presented 44 families with brand new homes.

During the event, Honourable James Musoni promised that MININFRA would sustain their relationship with these families, ensuring that they continue to lead better lives. He also stated that the next step is for water, electricity as well as biogas to be made accessible in those homes.

For the next part of the daylong event, members of the ministry, including Permanent Secretary, Christian Rwakunda, as well as the Mayor of Bugesera District, Honourable Rwagaju Louis visited the Ntarama Memorial Site, in Bugesera District. There the mayor spoke on the happenings of the Genocide in the Ntarama region, before handing over to one of the survivors.

Women that had been there during the killings conducted a tour of the church and of the surrounding buildings, giving deep and heartfelt testimonies of what the genocide had done to the people of Ntarama. With the group moving from one building to the next, the distinguished guests lay wreaths in honour of those that lost their lives. The Honourable Kamayirese Germaine concluded the sombre occasion with a brief speech, urging Rwandans to spread understanding and love in order to ensure that such tragedies never occur again.

The families of staff of MINITRAPE (Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Water) and MINITRANSCO (Ministry of Transport and Communications) joined the last part of the daylong event, held at the MININFRA offices in Kacyiru.

Family members as well as honoured guests placed wreaths on a structure built to display the names of the workers, and lit candles in honour of the lives lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In his speech, Honourable James Musoni spoke on the history of Rwanda, and what factors assisted in the 1994 Genocide. He stated that colonialists as well as their teachings were partly to blame in alienating the community in Rwanda, and led to the eventual hatred and division among its people.

The honourable minister concluded his speech by assuring Rwandans that MININFRA has upcoming projects that aim at building Rwandans into a peaceful

population which will help ease Rwanda towards a fruitful and harmonious future.

kwibuka 21


cover story

HaKiZiManapassion for booKs

sets Her apart in tHe publisHing

business

LYDIE

By Anne Anjao

“stop asking what africa can do for you but ask what you can do for

africa and if you don’t, when i die, i will come back to haunt you,” said

retired archbishop desmond tutu of south africa. these profound

words were addressed to a group of Fellows gathered at the africa leadership institute in 2012. one

person listening keenly and who would later be literally haunted by these words was lydie hakizimana, co Founder and managing director

of drakkar ltd.


cover story

To Lydie, the book industry is one area that will fundamentally transform the intellectual landscape of Africa if well handled, and if those concerned would go the extra mile to avail written sources of knowledge to the multitudes, especially the underprivileged. In the eyes of this soft spoken lady with a gentle disposition, Rwanda’s reading culture can be taken to a whole new level as long as one develops passion for it.

And passion is responsible for Drakkar’s Ltd birth and prosperity. The story behind Drakkar’s formation to the point of thriving is almost surreal. Way back in 2006, Mr. & Mrs Kalisa, avid readers themselves, had a house full of books. Kigali then only had two bookshops so they decided to open one in a residential area and sure enough, after only 3 months, all their 250 books had joyfully found their way into fellow readers’ living rooms. Buoyed by this success, Lydie and her husband were cued into looking at the book industry with more keen eyes. Here was a perfect opportunity. The opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that needed to be harnessed.

I say success never knocks on the door of the complacent. Brilliance, patience and hard work determined how far they would go in pursuit of their dream. Investing in a book industry requires capital which the Kalisas did not have. When one door closes,

another must open and so it was that they realized it was then time to seek a partner. Indeed an intense search on the internet yielded a perfect partner, Pearson, one of the biggest publishers in the world.

A Rwandan born in Congo and raised in Chad, Lydie’s love for the children of Rwanda is palpable. Having been educated at Kigali Institute of Science & Technology(KIST), she fully understands the value of books and would like every child in Rwanda to benefit.

To her, there are plenty of opportunities Rwanda can grab to move the book industry forward. Hers is a long term goal of promoting local publishers and the local language, Kinyarwanda. She sees children as the best group to begin with since they pick up interest pretty quickly. This path she has chosen of targeting children already began two years ago when she won an international competition run by USAID, World Vision and Action AID entitled, ‘All Children Reading.’

In addition, in partnership with the Rwanda Education board (REB), she initiated a writing competition for primary school pupils called ‘Andika Rwanda’ where out of 3,000 entries, 12 winning stories were published in Kinyarwanda.


“The Andika Rwanda experience showed me that everyone has a story to tell as long as they are given a platform,” says Lydie.

“I plan on distributing the 12 winning stories (published in two volumes)where these writers come from to celebrate them and also encourage others in their localities,” she goes on to say.

Lydie has more grand plans should funds, which are a challenge, become available: to get more books available to the public through digital platforms. Schools that are able to print will be encouraged to do so and package these materials into booklets. This way, as many children and students as possible will have access to books which otherwise would have been a mirage.

No task is without challenges though. It’s T.D. Jakes, an American televangelist, who said the deeper you dig, the greater the miracle. Lydie’s challenges are huge but not insurmountable and when overcome, her plans have the enviable potential of totally changing the reading habits of Rwandans. Beside challenges of funding, getting authors fluent in the English language is another. However, this challenge can be mitigated by interesting and motivating teachers from top performing schools to pick up serious writing.

Not all is lost however. From 2006, when English became the language of instruction in academic institutions, it was very hard for most people, especially teachers.

“Imagine changing overnight but children adopt quickly. Change was necessary if we wanted Rwanda to be at par with the world,” says Lydie.

Lydie lauds the Ministry of Education’s 9 year free basic education program as a great move in the right direction since given a choice between paying fees for their children and having the children till their lands, most parents would opt for the latter for economic reasons. This time however, there is no reason to keep children away from school, a move that has seen literacy levels go up.

“It’s something that I personally value a lot because the best thing you can give to your children is education,” opines Lydie.

Another thing she appreciates the Ministry of Education for is the introduction of the Technical, Vocational & Educational Training programme(TVET). This kind of

cover story


training has aligned teaching to the demands of the Rwandan market. She is of the view that not everybody is endowed with academic skills and they can still excel in their chosen area of interest.

“You don’t need an academic degree to be successful and earn good money. There is no cheap job. Being a banker does not necessarily mean you earn more,” philosophizes Lydie.

As the Chairperson of Rwanda’s Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, Lydie equally has a passion for entrepreneurship hence her unequivocal support for TVET programs. She subscribes to the school of thought that you do not need capital to start a business. All one needs is an idea, and business need not be confined to Kigali. It can be done anywhere. All one needs is to find that small thing that makes one wake up every day. She posits that without passion, your idea will fizzle out. What keeps you going is what you love to do and when you do it, do your best. The bottom line: Don’t start without passion.

Another gem from her wisdom store is simply this: “Stop copying. I would rather have someone do what I do but let him/her do it better. What is your competitive advantage?” For one to succeed in anything, perseverance is paramount. An entrepreneur must be alive to the fact that life will always present obstacles; one must be determined and keep pushing to achieve his/her goal. There is a lot of good in taking baby steps and growing instead of rushing through a process not well thought through.

Away from the tough and rigorous world of publishing, Lydie is a warm and committed family person. She counts herself blessed to have a very supportive husband who happens to be her greatest fan. Together, they have 3 children, two girls and a boy. Like everybody else, Lydie dreams big: dreams of starting a university in Rwanda. True to her words, she is taking baby steps since their nursery school opened its doors on May 18. And like the Kenyan Oscar winner Lupita Nyongo would say, Lydie’s dreams are indeed valid.

Being as busy as she is, how does she balance her demanding career with her family life? To her, it’s all about systems. Establish a good system and you will never go wrong. For instance, she never travels at the same time as her husband. One must always be left behind to take care of family and business.

It would obviously be a travesty of justice if Lydie did not incorporate reading in her busy life. What, with her being a founder of a publishing company. Reading comes naturally to her and it is a passion. At the moment, she is lost in the intricate world of Mother Teresa, CEO: Unexpected Principles for Practical Leadership by Ruma Bose and Lou Faust, a book that takes a totally new dimension of leadership as far as Mother Teresa is concerned. To Lydie, “Me time” is very important. Sometimes she amazingly reads 3 books concurrently. In her opinion, reading helps to unwind.

Would she therefore call herself successful? After careful consideration, this is what she defines as success:

“Being able to do what you love and earn your living out of it is success in progress. I say in progress because we always feel we need to accomplish more,” she says.

Lydie would like to see more role models from Rwanda. People bred here who would inspire others to believe in themselves, showing that nothing is impossible. She feels privileged being young, a woman and a Rwandan, and she has kind words for the leadership of the nation who are pushing women to excel in every area. Lydie feels it’s time for the youth to step up, move out of a safe environment and be a carriage in the train that is taking Rwanda to prosperity, and in so doing, there will be no need of being haunted by Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s words.

cover story


necessary?By Anne Anjao

topical feature

The spectacular array of beauties that stretches across the floodlit stage with magnificent backdrops and inviting music holds your gaze, much appreciation emanating from you about God’s wonderful creation. Contestant after contestant will do a catwalk in different types of outfits from beachwear to evening gowns. Every time they take a swing across the stage, you hold your breath for no other reason than to behold the stunning beauty that nature has squarely placed in front of your disbelieving eyes this night.

BeautyPageants

are

Today, most beauty pageant themes revolve around beauty and brains, and so you gape once more when you listen to the beauties’ plans to rescue mankind from destruction should they be crowned winners. It’s glamorous. It’s classy. It’s entertaining. It’s riveting. Yes, beauty pageants are the in-thing. They have the capacity and means to hold the attention of the entire world. Just ask Rwandans who stayed riveted to their screens during the live screening of Miss Rwanda 2015. However, the question remains, are they necessary? Hop on to our train of

readers’ thoughts on this seemingly harmless but highly emotive issue in our society today.

emmy muDamBa

Personally, I am not a fan of beauty pageants. I think they should be banned. Most of the contestants are dolled up, wearing make-up to look good. This has led to low self- esteem among some women thus encouraging a good number to go for

plastic surgery. Others go an extra mile to enlarge their hips in order to have a perfect figure. Beauty competitions can also cause eating disorders. There have been cases where some women have died due to anorexia, an eating disorder that causes women to think they are fat when in actual fact they are very thin. In addition, why are there beauty pageants for women only? Women shouldn't win prizes for being beautiful. It's one’s personality that counts. Remember prettiness comes from the inside and is something that everyone should realize instead of idolizing

THE DIVA 18 May - Jul 2015

perceived beauty. There is no need to waste huge amounts of money to pay a winner; rather the money can be used in more important issues, like helping the needy and saving lives!

therese umutoni, Banker

Beauty pageants are necessary to the society; the fact that the contestants are not only judged according to their looks only but also on the scope of their intelligence. Young ladies who trust in themselves show case their talents, beauty and ability to bring positive change to the society. Had it not been for beauty pageants , we would have wasted talent in our beautiful girls who can be an asset to the nation and can cause a positive impact to younger girls who would want to follow in their footsteps. Once crowned , these girls are released to work in the community as the face of the public. They are more involved with youth activities or projects that teach youth the values of life, overcome teenage challenges like the use of drugs, prostitutions and so many others, and also to keep our rich culture which if not preserved can be

lost. Beauty pageants help our young girls to value intelligence as well.

emmanuel nyarwaya

The decision on how beautiful a woman is shouldn’t be based on her age, weight or height. Beauty contests face criticism due to their purpose; they are perceived as more concerned with physical appearance which does not really portray the beauty of a woman. To be a beauty queen is not only about a pretty face; the brain has to count too. So when a contestant fails to answer a simple question like what she is going to do once she’s crowned, then you wonder why she got there in the first place. Today’s beauty pageant is considered a waste of government money since no evidence shows that the beauty queen is doing her job. She is supposed to represent women and the country, but does she?

angelo urukunDo, artist

topical feature

Beauty pageants create role models who are also not perfect. We have watched the Miss Rwanda franchise grow over the years. If done correctly, pageants not only provide hope for the entrants who may otherwise never have had such an opportunity, but they create national ambassadors which enriches the local society. We may need to tweak a few things, for example, we could have different categories of pageants for women and men of different shapes and sizes to be more inclusive, similar to boxing where you have a heavyweight and lightweight championship. We could ensure that the title holder commits to community service and assists in fulfilling national objectives during his/her reign. In exchange, we insist (which is already often the case) that the winner be entitled to some form of education or training that will enable them to change the trajectory of their life and better serve their community beyond just providing fleeting fame.

Purity thuo, lecturer, mt. kenya university

Of course! Nature is beautiful. The most beautiful creation that God ever made was man. And as they say, the perfection of God's ultimate creation is the woman. Everyone loves beauty. Whenever a curvaceous, stunningly gorgeous woman passes by, every head turns. It is more captivating to interact with beauty and brains in the form of beauty pageants so yes, let them continue for they are necessary.

naDia agasaro, 2015 winner mr/miss mku

Beauty gives a first impression, but it doesn't take the first place as a tool one can use for a full life. Character and knowledge are really what count. The beauty pageant has a lot to offer because it leads to the self-development of an individual. Once a person decides to go for that competition, she /he discovers how able she/he is. The competition brings out one’s talent and knowledge. Speaking skills too are developed. I am glad I won because since then I feel responsible and more worried about my studies , my school and everything in my daily life.


current status

business

By our correspondent

SpEcIaLEconomIc

ZonE


This Special Economic zone program is designed to address domestic private sector constraints such as availability of industrial and commercial land, availability and the cost of energy, limited transport linkages, market access and availability of skills”. SEZs provide designated, serviced land for small and large scale industrial development, as well as reliable, quality infrastructure, competitive fiscal regulations and streamlined administration procedures. SEZs provide the opportunity to cluster anchor tenants with suppliers and other service providers, thereby creating jobs in skilled sectors and encouraging knowledge transfer.

The core objective of establishing Special Economic Zones is to ensure successful zones that contribute significantly to Rwanda’s development goals while utilizing public resources in an effective manner.

Special Economic Zones are increasingly used as an economic policy tool worldwide. They have the ability to promote private investment in an attractive business environment.The whole Idea of the Special Economic zone ensures that the Investor experience is addressed and met with the possibility of the availability of serviced land, flexible regulatory regimes covering special regulations. This will in turn create a very conducive relationship between the Regulator- Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR), the Developer, the Operator and the user.

business

management

Globally, for the SEZ to operate well, the best management practices have to be put in the employ hence reducing any form of conflict of interest at any level and therefore enabling streamlined procedures. The key players are: the regulator, developer, operator and user.

regulator

The Regulatory Authority is an independent agency responsible for planning the national SEZ regime, designation of land as individual SEZs, coordinating with public agencies, licensing and permitting SEZ enterprises (developers, operators and users), monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with SEZ rules and legislations. The current SEZ regulator in Rwanda is the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR).

DeveloPer

A developer is a private sector entity who is responsible for financing the design and construction of all the necessary infrastructure and facilities. The developer of the Kigali Special economic zone also own this land and are therefore responsible for entering into agreements with users.

the oPerator

This is generally a private sector entity under a contractual arrangement with the owner or developer and is responsible for the day–to-day management of


business

"ePZ is one of the components of special economic Zone which is in operations and in

progress"


SEZs and provision of specialised support facilities and services. The developer can also be the operator. Prime Economic Zones Ltd is both the operator and developer of the Kigali Special Economic Zone.

user

A private entity engaged in commercial activities in the SEZ and is compliant with the prevailing rules and regulations regarding SEZ. The SEZ user must be holder of the SEZ status in form of the license provided by the Authority.

the regulatory framework level, the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR) has been established to regulate, coordinate, administer, and provide strategic planning and monitoring for Special Economic Zones in Rwanda in accordance with the Zones Law and Regulations. Legal instruments that have been formulated and enacted include the law No 05/2011 of 21/3/2011 regulating Special Economic Zones in Rwanda, a policy, ministerial order on licensing fees, ministerial order on negative list and Prime Minister’s order establishing the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR).

Furthermore, additional regulations were formulated including those related to establishment of the SEZ one stop shops (OSS) in zones, users and operators’ rights, licensing procedures, among others. These regulations were gazette in 2013. Other regulations which were drafted include land and inputs in fiscal regime in Special Economic Zones.

Two forms of incentives are considered in the SEZ program, the non-fiscal and Fiscal incentives. The non-fiscal incentives include the availability of serviced land, streamlined procedures and ease of Institutional collaboration. The fiscal one include tax exemptions which apply mainly to companies licensed as EPZ and Free Trade Zones. The rest do benefit from the incentives provided under the current Rwanda Investment code.

business

Export proCESSING ZoNES (EpZ)EpZ is one of the components of special economic Zone which is in operations and in progress.

EpZ means a designated part of the customs territory where any goods introduced are generally regarded, for purpose of import duties and taxes, as being outside the customs territory but are restricted by controlled access

current status

Since this program was put in place, more activities were undertaken in order to move forward the Special Economic Zones program. These activities are related to regulatory framework, and development of Kigali Special Economic Zone and other potential zones. At


All companies can operate in the SEZs except those dealing in products and services that are mentioned in the negative list. These are items that are not allowed by law. Some of the examples of such items on the negative list include among other, the plastic paper products, fire arms and some chemicals.

Looking at the implementation, The Kigali Special Economic Zone is developed into two phases:

Phase I is one of the phases of the Kigali Special Economic Zone project having 98 hectares of land. It is serviced with roads, electricity, water and firefighting systems, sewage and fiber optic cables that will serve in easing the operations of prospective investors.

the number of plots in that phase is 97 plots divided as follows:• Oneplotshelteringacontrolroomwhereallthe

electricity of the zone converges and is controlled.• Oneplotshelteringwatertankssupplyingpotable

water to individual plots• Oneplotshelteringasewagetreatmentplantthatwill

treat all the sewage water from industries.• 94plotsthatwillaccommodateindustries/

warehouses.

The Kigali Special Economic Zone Phase II is a project having 178 hectares of land. It is serviced with roads, electricity, water and firefighting systems and sewage network. The number of plots in that phase is 66 plots divided as follows:

• Oneplotshelteringacontrolroomwherealltheelectricity of the zone converges and is controlled.

• Oneplotshelteringwatertankssupplyingpotablewater to individual plots

• Oneplotshelteringasewagetreatmentplantthatwilltreat all the sewage water from industries.

• 63plotsthatwillaccommodateindustries/warehousesincluding one plot that will serve as an ICT PARK.

infrastructure current status

KSEZ pHASE IThe current state and progress of infrastructures in Phase I is the following:• Roads:theprogressisat98%wheretheremaining

works are the road marking and vertical signage.• Watersupplyanddistributionnetworkandfirefighting

system:theprogressisat98%wheretheremaining

works are to connect each plot to the firefighting system.

• Sewagenetwork:theprogressisat80%wheretheremaining works are concentrated in installing the laboratory and some components of the treatment plant.

• Electricity:theprogressisat99%.

KSEZ pHASE IIThe current state and progress of infrastructures in Phase I is the following:• Roads:theprogressisat80%wheretheremaining

works are the laying of the tarmac layer, road marking and vertical signage

• Watersupplyanddistributionnetworkandfirefightingsystem:theprogressisat70%wheretheremainingworks are to construct water tanks for the supply of water and connection to individual plots.

• Sewagenetwork:theprogressisat70%wheretheremaining works are concentrated in finalizing the construction of some components of the treatment plant and their installation.

• Electricity:theprogressisat65%wheretheremainingworks consist in the cabling of the whole zone and connection to individual plots.

current usage status

KSEZ pHASE I- The number of operators that are operational: 25- Operators that are still under construction: 37- Operators that have not yet started construction: 15

reasons hindering them:Most of them are still under study of their project

KSEZ pHASE II- The number of operators that are operational: 1- Operators that are still under construction: 0- Operators that have not yet started construction: 18

Note; the price per square meter is 62 usD, and the minimum size is one hectare, and the land is owned by the developer (private company) that means you acquire land through the developer but under the regulation of the government in this case seZar, after acquiring the land you get all the relevant

licenses from seZar including construction permit however all these are done in limited time.

business


business

a developer is a private sector entity

who is responsible for financing the design

and construction of all the necessary infrastructure and

facilities.


By John Karanja

1. accePt your situation The very first thing you need to do is to accept your current situation. In human thinking, there is always another person to blame when things go wrong. People never want to accept the reality that they are broke, especially

if affluence characterized their previous life. The fact is things are not the same any more. You don’t have the luxury of dollars anymore.

This is not the time to continue whining and complaining. The truth of the matter is you don’t

DEbtS

business

SWaLLOWInG YOu?STRuGGLInG TO STaY afLOaT?

are you this person who is sitting there wondering what tomorrow portends? cursing each and every moment of your life? your business is evaporating. the debts are sky rocketing. you receive every phone

call with suspicion. you feel like this is the end of the world. the dreams you once cherished now mean less and less. try these five

steps that may just put you back on a sound financial track;


business

have any other option, so it’s critical that you make sound decisions from henceforth. Your financial defence may be porous but remember the best way to defend is by playing your game offensively.Acceptance allows you to evaluate your current situation and see what exactly lies ahead.

2. where Do you stanD at the moment?

After accepting your current situation, now it’s time to get more honest with yourself and answer the following questions:• Whatassetsdoyoustill

have at your disposal?• Howbigisyourdebt?• Howmuchmoneyare

you still bringing in every month?

• Howmuchdoyouspendin any given month?

• Doyouhavelongterm issues that will require your financial commitment, for example, alimony, health issues, siblings educational support e.t.c

The importance of taking all this into account is to make sure that you understand everything that may require your

attention. This prepares you significantly for the next course of action.

3. Define your goal

After making a personal financial analysis it is now time to set your financial goals and objectives. This will definitely be determined by the honest results of your evaluation in the second step. The objectives you set here are crucial to your recovery and for that reason you ought to think carefully about them.

Your goals need to be S.M.A.R.T and realistic.

a)Be Specific – Make sure your goals and objectives are clear, with properly defined end results. For example by the end of 2015 I will buy land in Rwanda. This is vague. It is likely that you will not buy any piece of land by year end. A better goal is, by year end I will have saved enough money to buy a two million francs plot in Rubavu.

b) Measurable – It is important to ensure that your main goal can be easily monitored. For example, I now make

700,000 francs every month but by the end of the year I should be making 2 million francs.

c) Attainable- Your recovery plan should be realistic. Set goals that do not over stretch you. While it is important to ensure you get the best for yourself, it is equally important to make sure the goals and objectives don’t set you up for failure.

d) Realistic- If you are seriously in debt and are filing for bankruptcy, it will not be realistic to set a goal of joining the millionaire club in one year. Be true to yourself. Know what is possible in what period of time. e) Timely – Any objective or goal you set will require having a clearly defined time frame or else it will be reduced to just any other good dream. If you want to be saving 50,000 Francs every month then let it be properly adhered to.

4. lay Down your master Plan

It is now important for you to go down to the details and find a way that will move you to the next

level. This will need you to analyse several available paths and select the most efficient path that you will need to follow to get to your destination.

The key here is to ensure whatever path you choose does not go against the core values of your financial recovery. Develop a good strategy in line with your objectives and goals.

5. launch your Plan

This step is basically the most difficult step for many people. A big percentage of people go to their graves with their well laid plans, goals and objectives never put into action. Failure to set the ball rolling in your financial recovery plan will only make it wishful thinking. It’s not just about launching your plan but also grabbing the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and correcting them swiftly.

As it is in soccer, the best way to be successful is by ensuring that your offensive approach does not neglect your defence.


fIoNa MBaBaZI NjuguNa

media


media

neWs anchor / reporter pursuing my bachelor’s degreeat mount kenya university, kigali

Marital status, and if single, are you seeing someone: Hahaha I would say no comment ... But yeah am single and not seeing anyone YEt.

Talk briefly about your career in the media world: I started off as an assistant production manager before I moved to breakfast presenter at Flash FM. I then did some time with rwanda tV as a reporter /news anchor. Currently, I am with tV 10 as a news anchor/reporter.

Your greatest achievement: to have motivated young girls to join the media world.

Any failures?: I wouldn't say I have failed per se because every moment I feel I have failed gives me an opportunity to amend my ways and stand up to try again .

In another life, if you were not in the media, you would be: Haha I would certainly have been a lawyer...I love debating. I really hate injustice.

Passion: Journalism... I love telling the story no one else has heard... I love the fact that the stories can change people's lives for good.

What you love most: I love reading, traveling, cooking...

What irks you: Injustice. Any form of it ... I hate when people forget to be human beings.

What we don't know about you: Weirdly, am a very shy person. You will always catch me at the back bench in any event.

Do you read and if so, what kind of books? I read lots of books but I love motivational books the most .

Conviction/philosophy of life: Be the better version of yourself. Everyone else has been taken.

Fashion sense: A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman and loose enough to prove you're a lady. Keep it simple and classy.

Your role model and why: Christiane Amanpour of CNN. She broke all barriers as a woman to be who she is today.

Where people go wrong: Someone's wrong could be someone else's right. All I am saying is if there is no love to it, then it ain't right.

Message to girls out there: Be yourself. Just be yourself. Make your own path and follow it. Have faith in yourself because with God everything is possible.

By Anne Anjao

THE DIVA 29May - Jul 2015

media

mEDIa

By Oscar Kimanuka

Why the media is vital in a nation’s lifeline


media

newspaper, Kangura and Jean Bosco Barayagwiza, an executive of the infamous Radio Libre de Milles Collines (RTLM), known for its incendiary messages. Both men were sentenced some years ago to life imprisonment in Arusha, Tanzania.

The watchdog role played by the media in Rwanda’s current democratic dispensation is already delivering dividends. It is exposing politicians and senior government bureaucrats in an increasingly serious manner. Through the provision of a running commentary on various institutions, including government, which is the most important of them, the media is providing an invaluable service to the democratization process.

This ensures that relations between the press and the politicians in democracies are always likely to be tense, and sometimes threatening. It would indeed be surprising if the relations were always cordial. Sometime in 1890, Paul Mall Gazette, a Briton wrote: “to suppose that in any country the influence of the press was ever a delight to the Government would be a complete mistake. It is a rival influence, often

a conflicting influence, sometimes, as it has proved in our country on various occasions, a commanding or destroying influence. Its natural basis is no respecter of persons. Its business is criticism. Its natural sphere of operation lies between Government and the people, with bearing upon both, and a particular solitude to please and benefit the latter, that is the people. The Press is sometimes a nuisance to ministers, because it preaches triumphantly from imperfect information. At other times, because it discovers too much of the truth and makes inconvenient exposures of neglect, error, fraudulent pretence and false principle. How then should it be loved by those who suffer from its operation?

It is important that politicians remember this. They should know that they are not meant to be loved by the media!

Sir Winston Churchill, the Second World War British Prime Minister once defined the role of politicians as telling people what was going to happen next week, next month and next year, and then explaining afterwards why it didn’t. That gives them something in common

with most journalists.

The Press and the journalists do set the agenda for many matters that become issues of public debate. The repeated success of investigative journalism in exposing wrongdoing, whether by individuals, corporations or governments, is an essential element in the whole process of making a democracy function properly.

Reports by the media in Kigali on allegations against some individuals in government and the public sector on their role in the 1994 genocide and in the misuse of office go to explain the interest the media has in the holders of public office.

Finally, there is need for the media, given the vital role it plays in a democracy, to ensure that it is balanced, objective and thorough in what they do. In this way, they will be able to earn the respect of not only the people whom they represent, but also the politicians with whom they have a healthy tension.

the meDia in africa is Playing an increasingly imPortant role in shaPing the PuBlic’s PercePtion of Politicians anD Politics in general. BesiDes, the meDia

also ProviDes an imPortant Platform for the Promotion of civil anD Political rights anD hence contriButes to civic consciousness.

In the days preceding the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the media in Rwanda was used as a weapon of war the way Nazi publisher Julius Streicher used films and cartoons in the 1940s to incite hatred against Jews. Streicher was executed after the 1946 Nuremberg trials. Among the Rwandan hate media ‘geniuses’ were Ngeze Hassan, owner and editor of the extremist


By Martha Ayuma

have you ever caught yourself shamelessly staring at some people and wondering how they manage to stay so fit and

young? Well, it all boils down to discipline. the following anti-aging tips are not new to you. you have only not had the will

power to stick to a rudimentary regime that will tremendously slice off a huge chunk of years from you.

age Yesbut do so gracefully

lifestyle


• AccordingtoArleneNoodleman, Medical Director of the Age Defy Dermatology and Wellness Center in the US, anti-inflammatories are the best anti-agers out there. From improving heart and immune functions to helping hair grow and skin look supple, they truly do wonders. It is highly advisable therefore that you consider consuming fish oils at least thrice a day.

• Forwomenwhodomake up, you might consider stopping using foundation every day because it settles into wrinkles and makes them more noticeable. Why not start with a concealer just where you need it (under-eye area, blemishes, etc.) and follow it with an application of tinted moisturizer?

• Whynotkeepitsimple?This ought to be your daily skin-care routine: go home, wash your face with a drugstore cleanser, put on a moisturizer, and fall into bed!

• Cutonprocessedsugarand prepare to see amazing results on yourself. Sugar speeds up the aging process by binding to and eventually weakening the collagen in your skin, which can lead to premature wrinkles and

sagging. Instead, eat lots of vegetables and fruits every day. In fact, scrub with it! Simply lather your hands with a mild cleanser, add a handful of white sugar, and slather it all over your face and body.

• Womenworryabouttheir faces more than their hands yet both age together. Take care of your hands with the same routine that you use to take care of your face. Every time you exfoliate or use a mask on your face, forget not your hands.

• Massage.Massage.Massage. Moving blocked energy will make you feel younger from the inside out, especially reflexology and deep-tissue massage. If you don’t have the time or money to get one regularly, you can achieve a lot of the same benefits by taking 20 minutes each day to stretch, meditate, and calm yourself, breathing deeply in and out.

• Thebrain,liketherestof the body, needs exercise to avoid becoming sluggish and even disease-ridden. A study of nuns found that the more educated women had fewer instances of Alzheimer’s disease. The brain needs to be challenged to keep neurological pathways open. Learn a

new language, publish articles, read etc.

• Studiesshowthatreligion has a positive effect on physical health and does, in fact, help reduce suffering. Whether it’s through meditation, prayer or learning to forgive, research indicates that you can learn to become happier and even more social through spirituality.

• Regularaerobicexercise is a must-do for anyone committed to slowing the aging process. Hundreds of studies show that exercise combats the loss of stamina, muscle strength, balance and bone density that increases with age.

• Sleepisnotoptional.Again studies point to a lack of sleep as actually precipitating death. That if you sleep less than six hours a night, you are at far greater risk of having a heart attack or experiencing a stroke. What’s more, your mind seems to deteriorate at a faster pace.

• Unlessyou’vebeenhyper-vigilant about shielding yourself from the sun, the signs of aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots are likely to emerge by the time you enter your fourth decade. Research shows that95%ofwrinklesare

due to sun exposure. So use a sunscreen.

• Considerawrinkleeraserthat includes retinol, a form of vitamin A, to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, fade brown spots and smooth skin tone. Retinol or Tretinoin topical creams exfoliate the skin and increase the production of collagen. The creams come in a concentration of 0.02 percent and 0.05 percent so just about everyone can tolerate it.

• Everyoneshouldtakea combination of antioxidants through diet and supplementation. To get that antioxidant boost, we are advised to eat dark-colored vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, squash and spinach for carotenoids and blue and purple berries for flavonoids. Because foods contain many classes of antioxidants that work synergistically, they are the superior source of antioxidants, according to research.

As pointed out before, all this is hard work. You need not embark on all of them but remember it all boils down to: the diet we consume, the products we apply on our body and exercising.

It definitely feels pleasant when someone confuses you for a younger person than vice versa!

lifestyle


Style it up

interior design

Small rooms should be kept tidy to maintain an airy feel

Bathrooms

By Efua Hagan

What can one possibly do to decorate a bathroom? This is an interesting question considering that a bathroom is a very special space in a home, and should be treated like any other room. Each day, we all use bathrooms and for this reason we should ensure that they are comfortable, well designed and carefully decorated.

As far as bathroom décor goes, the options vary but see best that you decide on something that not only looks good but is also functional to the size and style of the bathroom. So how does one decorate a bathroom, while keeping it functional? Let us look at a few ways.


give freshness anD tiDiness PriorityFirst things first. Decide on what you want, and then find a place for it. Knowing what goes where will help keep the bathroom organized. Bathrooms should be kept clean and tidy and the design and décor should reflect this. A neat bathroom will always look larger, more spacious and inviting than a dirty and untidy one. Make this possible by investing in cupboards for storage space. Not only will this add warmth and style to the bathroom, but it will also have a high functionality quality by providing a place to keep items. Only display a few essential items and neatly put away everything else.

A Mounted shelf under the mirror is ideal to place items in use on, however, keep it minimal and find decorative vases or a stylish toothbrush holder to keep appropriate items in them to maintain order.

a mirror comPletes a BathroomA bathroom without a mirror is incomplete. Bathroom mirrors are typically hung over the sink and range from square, oval or round shapes. Ultimately, the size of the mirror will depend on the size of the bathroom. If your space is big, use a large mirror. The mirror will reflect all the light in the room, and pick up the color and pattern from the surrounding walls. If you want a unique look, consider having a large mirror fitted into a wooden frame with unique patterns carved into it. Also, a collection of different mirrors arranged creatively instead of one large mirror can have a stunning effect!

Bring in continuity with the walls anD flooring Are you creative or know somebody who is? Rather than painting a wall a plain color or fitting tiles into it, consider painting or stenciling

interior design

a decorative pattern on the largest wall. You can also use tiles of different sizes and colors to create a unique pattern.

If your bathroom is small, you can create the illusion of a raised ceiling by painting a molding design around the edge of the ceiling. Be sure to paint it the same color as the ceiling, because using another color will create the opposite effect by making the bathroom appear smaller.

The bathroom floor and walls do not have to be identical in appearance. As long as they

are synchronized, with a sense of continuity in color and choice of materials, the eye will flow naturally throughout the room.

A bathroom should not be dull; on the contrary, it should be an exciting part of the house where an extension of your style is reflected. Once you have your bathroom basics such as the toilet, shower and or bath and sink installed, you shouldn’t hesitate to have fun decorating the rest of the space to make it look aesthetically complete.


aRE YoU a SUREtY?

KnoW HoW to pRotEct YoUR FamILY patRImonY

law

By William Karaiga


most people tend to enter into a suretyship contract on behalF oF their Friends or Family members thinking it’s a joke or a simple task but at end oF the day, they end up losing their Family patrimony/property, the property they Worked hard For years to accumulate.

Now, as a law student, allow me space to inform you about how the law protects one’s family patrimony in case he/she has engaged in a suretyship contract. But first, what is family patrimony, suretyship contract, principle debtor and surety?

a family Patrimony is that property created at the moment when two people get married; it’s a collection of certain property that will be treated in a special way when spouses get divorced or if one of them dies. It includes your house, and other residences owned by your family; decorations in your house, like TV, sofa sets, to mention but a few. However, gifts and inherited property are not part of family patrimony.

a surety or a guarantor is a person who promises

to pay a debt if the person who should pay does not; In other words, it is the person who commits himself to pay the creditor on behalf of another person (principle debtor) if he fails to perform his duty of paying back. a suretyshiP contract is that contract between the surety on one hand who undertakes the debtor’s obligation incase the debtor fails to pay, and the creditor on the other hand who accepts the surety’s undertaking. The principle debtor is not a party to this contract since it is an accessory contract to the contract of debt, thus his/her consent is not needed for the contract to be valid. It may be done without his knowledge, according to the Rwandan family law.

In brief, the person who undertakes the principle obligation is called surety (guarantor), the original debtor is called the PrinciPal DeBtor, and the person to whom the debt is owed is called the creDitor.I am not telling you not to help your friends to borrow money by standing on their behalf as a surety, but just be careful because what you spent years working for can be gone in a moment, that is, your family’s property (family patrimony).

Legally speaking, when you enter into a suretyship

contract, it means that the obligation binds you to the creditor to perform that obligation if the debtor fails to do so thus the creditor has all the rights to attack the surety’s property (family patrimony) in order to be paid the amount agreed upon in the contract of debt by the insolvent principle debtor. It is clear that in such a situation, the family patrimony is affected but the Rwandan family law has provided some mechanisms in form of rights granted to the surety in order to protect his/her property thus protecting the family patrimony;

a) Consent or agreement of both spouses on management of family patrimony/property. This requirement protects family patrimony in a way that if one of the spouses enters into any transaction such as contract of suretyship that will obviously affect family property, he/she is obligated to obtain consent of the other spouse before such a contract can be called valid.

b) Recourse before payment in suretyship contract; this is a right granted to the surety by the law where he may request the principal debtor to pay him even before the surety has made payment to the creditor thus protecting family property.

c) Benefit of excussion/ benefice de discussion; this obliges the creditor to first seek payment from the principal debtor’s property by attaining a judgement that allows him/her to execute such a claim against the principal debtor’s assets and in case of failure or insufficiency of those assets then he/she can make a claim towards the surety for payment of the principal debtor’s obligation, thus securing family patrimony.

d) Last but not least, is the Recourse after payment; this is also known as subrogation, a law that states, “the surety is subrogated in all rights which the creditor had against the debtor.” It means that once the surety has paid on behalf the principal debtor, she/she gains the power to exercise all the rights of the creditor against the principal debtor in order to be reimbursed the amount paid on behalf of the principle debtor to the creditor. In addition to that, the surety may also lodge a personal action to the competent court claiming for damages or any other loss in the process thus protecting family patrimony/property.

law


career

never to say ina Job interview

FIvETHINGS

By Claire Ngang’a


career

Don't take yourself out of the competitionby saying one of these job-interview killers:

my former Boss was such an oBnoxious Person. Badmouthing your former boss is a red flag for any potential employer. Most employers value loyalty and respect. Some interviewers will even test you by inviting you to say some negative things about your former employer. Do not be fooled. If you can badmouth a former boss, they will interpret it to mean that you will also do the same to them if ever you get the chance. Instead of spitefulness against your former boss, say something like, ‘My boss and I had personal differences, and this affected our working relationship. For the sake of the company, I chose to resign since that would give my former employer a chance to employ someone whose productivity in the workplace would not be affected by internal disagreements’. Such an explanation creates the impression that you understand that the company is bigger than you and that you would sacrifice your convenience in order to grant the company a chance to meet its objectives.

i have no weaknesses. Apart from leaking dishonesty, this answer is judged based on the reality of human imperfection. Rather than pull a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, it is better to admit your weaknesses and indicate what you are doing or what you have done to make your weaknesses less of a challenge in the workplace. You can, for example, indicate that you are reading Charles Keating’s book ‘Dealing With Difficult People’ as a way of countering your impatience with people who do not live up to your performance expectations in the workplace. Such admission shows the interviewers that you not only know what your weaknesses are, but are also willing to counter them through acquiring knowledge with the intention of becoming less of a liability in the workplace. It is also a good strategy to mention weaknesses that are not central to the job.

what Does your comPany Do? Interestingly, people ask this question despite being advised to do some background research about a potential employer before attending an interview. The ‘what does your company do’ question is almost always a sure way of turning an interviewer away. It not only shows how clueless an interviewee is, but also shows a total disregard for the time and chance one has been given to prove why he/she should be considered for a job opening. This same question further alludes to the possibility that the interviewee has a poor work ethic; a thorough person is expected to have invested some hours into researching the position he will be interviewing for, and the potential employer. The first source of information about a company should be from the company’s website.

what will my role Be? This question portrays the worst form of ignorance. If you were invited for an interview, it means that you applied for a job whose job description was clearly stated. Even if the roles of the job were not clearly articulated, a basic research on what other people in a similar position do, should give you a basic idea of what your role will be. Instead of asking what your role will be, ask whether the interviewers have an idea in mind through which you can deliver more on your roles.

i Don’t know. well, you may not know the answer to some of the questions they are asking, but you don’t have to be tactless when answering such questions. While interviewers acknowledge that you may not be a ‘know it all’, they also appreciate a person who can express his willingness to find out. You could, for example, indicate that you will find out something and get back to them later. Other interviewers will ask you a question without a right answer. For example, they might ask you how many soccer balls would fill a room. In such a case they are not looking for a specific answer; rather, they are trying to find out how analytical you are. They are also testing your problem-solving skills.

When you are job searching, landing an interview can feel like a huge success - and it is, but for most open positions, the interview is only one step in a long hiring process. For some jobs, dozens of people may be interviewed, and the competition will be fierce. there are some things that you should not say during a job interview, regardless of how much you would like to share your opinion with the interviewer.


mantalk

the

masculinityface ofchanging

By Jesse Kimani


mantalk

A very worrying trend in our society today is that men are fast losing their place in society as heads of homes. It is common to find many men that are disempowered and behave more like women than men. Some of these men will be found hurdled in corners gossiping and discussing people like women in a market would do. A good number of men are no longer in control of their homes, a fact which has caused their women to take up this fundamental role of a man; a family cannot exist in a vacuum-someone must fill up that space and most often, it’s the woman, who does so for the sake of the children. Sadly, these men are either sleeping on their jobs or are too drunk to care.

In as much as we may want to blame men, the root cause of this problem is much deeper than just men being lazy and abdicating their roles.

There is a story of these five men who where brought up by a single mother since their father had died when they were really young and the only parent they knew was their mother. Pleasantly and surprisingly, three turned out really well. They ended up with sound careers and solid families that have stood the test of time. On a sad note however, the other two are a far cry from these three. One can barely hold his home together and keeps jumping from woman to woman fathering kids and moving to the next. The other one is actually married but still cannot run his house. He is dependent on his wife who has become the provider in the home. His self-esteem is gone. He no longer takes pride in being the provider in the home. The children know as much, and this has really killed his ego. It is no wonder when these two visit their mother’s home, all they do is complain and discuss their wives and children negatively. This only goes to show how nurture takes over and nature takes a back seat. Traditionally, the man’s role has always been to protect, provide and guide his family but when a man is brought up with no male role model, he may end up being a weak man. Again, the argument can be advanced that the other three turned out well despite not having a role model. This only

goes to show that sometimes, our destiny is in our hands. Yes, negative factors may be at play to hinder your full growth but you also have the power to refuse, and I believe that’s what the successful three gentlemen above did.

And that is why chivalry is dead since most of our fellow brothers have no backbones to handle the role of a man as society expects of them. Men are becoming more like women spending more time at the salon than a woman in the name of being metro sexual. Men are supposed to be resourceful, hard and commanding of authority and that is what earns them respect and admiration but this lost generation of men wants to spend time behind a mirror being told they are beautiful.A man is the face of a society so if a man is weak or half-baked so is the society. The emancipation of women was a great rallying call and it has indeed helped the growth and development of women in our society but we have forgotten the boy child and thus we have been building one side of the house while leaving the other side vulnerable considering we want a balanced society. It is only imperative that we balance out so that we can build better homes, husbands and wives. Perhaps the same zeal with which clarion calls were made to elevate the woman should now be used to sound warning bells that the male species is under threat. The same zeal with which governments have fought disease and ignorance must now be employed. Policies now need to shift. Look around you. And I don’t just mean Rwanda, but the entire world. Who is lost deep in drugs and alcohol? In useless financial ventures? In unprofitable pass time activities like play station, excessive support and watching of English Premier League matches? Do you see many ladies here? Mindsets too need to shift. Women should no longer be viewed as the weaker sex, devoid of sound thinking and only dabbling in trivialities. No, no, no. They are way smarter and highly effective.

We must be concerned that the current state of men in our nations is a ticking time bomb.

a song by lady jaydee ‘Wanaume kama mabinti’ (loosely translated, ‘men like ladies”) triggered my thinking and the more i thought about it the more it made sense. trends over the past couple of years have changed a lot and the nurture vs nature argument is slowly being transformed more in favor of nurture.


lifestyle

findinG yoUR niChein life


lifestyle

For most people, life is taken as a learning journey, one where many mistakes are made but ultimately many lessons learned. But for some, life’s journey ends without one truly

finding out where they fit in the world.By Sharon Bideri

When God created the world, He created humans with an intrinsic need for fulfilment. It did not matter what it was we were meant to fulfil, but each had his purpose. Time and again, religious books as well as history, teach us that purpose is one of the strongest motivations a human being harbours.

During my graduation last year, I couldn’t run from the constant questions on my future plans. It was such an irritating question because I had no clear answer. And while for some these answers had already surfaced, I was still searching.

It occurred to me that I had spent years focusing on studying and making good grades that I totally forgot what direction I intended my life to go. I was suddenly faced with an uncertain future, feeling in that moment that there was nothing worse than not knowing my true purpose. I needed to find my heart’s true passion, and where I could truly shine and prosper. It took a great deal of soul searching hence the following nuggets that are still guiding me in this self-analysis.

1. Having FAItH that everything will work out, is the most important part in finding your niche in life. We may not all be religious, but one thing that unites all human beings is having a positive outlook even when situations are dire. Now, I’m not suggesting that the world is without pessimists, but surely they must have off days too.

The proverb: ‘Faith moves mountains,’ goes without saying. The power of positive thinking has been proven to work in all sorts of circumstances.

2. Being HoNESt with yourself is as equally important as faith. Are you ready to sacrifice your time, relationships and even career in order to find your true calling in life?

Personally one of the hardest things I had to do was take criticism from people around me. Granted that some criticism isn’t encouraging but destructive, however, I learned to discern between the two. By being honest with myself, I was able to know what talents I have and where I could maximise their use.

To be honest this was the most useful step, as it helped me get rid of all the useless ideas and thoughts that were barring me from finding my self.

3. Make time in your life to MEDItAtE, it really does open your eyes to things you probably had no idea were possible. When I mention meditating, your mind probably wanders to images of people sitting on mats, eyes closed. Meditation is different for different people. I practiced deep breathing and keeping total control over my thoughts.

You don’t need to be in a quiet environment to meditate, it is in all forms a way of creating your own peace and silence in whatever situation. Meditation taught me that I have the power inside of me to make decisions and to take steps towards my dreams and ambitions.

4. Work on your tALENt. No matter what people may think, we each have a talent or gift that is unique and different from anyone else’s. Knowing and finding your talent is an unpredictable task,

but once you find it, it is up to you to nurture it and work on it to keep it alive. Knowing your talent and not utilising it, is quite simply imprudent.

From an early age, I found out that writing poems or short stories was something I not only was decent at, something I enjoyed doing as well. We’ve all been drilled with the proverb: ‘Practice makes perfect,’ so I took heed to that advice and kept at practising and fine-tuning my talent. I may not be close to the kind of writer I hope to become, but I keep using, you guessed it, positive thinking.

The nuggets above may not bring you much success in your own journey in finding your niche, but they might in some way inspire you to keep plugging away at what you really want out of your life.

Just remember that everyone’s journey is different. We are not guaranteed smooth sailing. Our paths will lead us through unchartered waters, but always carry the belief that we are all made with a purpose in our lives. We can only hope that we do find our niche and ourselves before time runs out.


By Sharon Bideri

and relaxation

Every working person knows the feeling of dread when you realize that yet another weekend has passed by, and another opportunity to relax is long gone. It was the same feeling for me, until a chance arose.

If you’ve never had a full day of relaxation, in the middle of the week, might I add, you might want to try it some time. Understandably, you might not have the free time to pursue this undertaking, but I can for this one time only, take you on a sensory journey through my experience. In all reality, a chance to relive my enjoyable escapade vicariously through me.

maisha spa is a little known gem located at the kigali serena hotel. the spa offers a myriad of services, ranging from a fully equipped gym, to massage suites. catering to guests as well as non-members alike, maisha spa not only gives you time to relax, but also to rejuvenate and invigorates your mind, body and spirit.

A LITTLE REST

Walking in through the doors of the spa, which is located in a private and intimate part of the hotel, I couldn’t help but feel relaxed from the get go. From the intricate design that reminded me of that of Arab influenced Moroccan architecture, to the spacious yet cosy entry way, all these combined gives you the feeling of having crossed into a different dimension. The whole décor and ambience of the spa, readies one for total rejuvenation.

Maisha Spa is designed to cater to both male and female clients within separated but fully equipped facilities. Each designated side features a large entryway that features the same Moroccan inspired designs. Upon entry a large spacious changing room is the first thing one sees. A large Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, showers and toilets, round up the remaining areas. The sheer space and design of each room, gives this spa its relaxing factor.

Although I did not get to use every single facility, I did pick three activities that would cater to everyone’s liking.

lifestyle


gym

Working out is probably one of my least favourite things to do in the world. But a wonderfully equipped gym can inspire even the laziest of people to get up and break a sweat.

The gym is located at the top of the stairs of Maisha Spa, and has a beautiful view of the swimming pool below. A row of treadmills and elliptical trainer machines offer you the best view from the gym.

There are a variety of machines available to work on every part of your body, and since the gym is not crowded, one has a chance to use the machines without hogging them.

My experience in the gym was made even better, by having my very own trainer. Adalbert, my very modest but downright uplifting trainer for the day, assured me that even though I hadn’t worked out in a while, that that would not be an excuse to not do, what he called “circuit training”.

Now, if you are picturing someone complaining at every

increased speed on a treadmill, or every weight lifted, then that is the correct picture of what circuit training entails. But let me not deter you from trying it. In all honesty, I was amazed at how good it felt finishing each set of exercises. I must say, it did not hurt having someone encouraging me through all the exercises.

When I was done walking, lifting, and occasionally grimacing, I was happy to see that more than an hour had passed, and that my workout was nearing the end. This was made even better by having Adalbert help me stretch out.

It was hard work, I must admit, but the end result was a more flexible, less flabby me.

steam room

Quite honestly, if you are anything like me, then the quietness of a steam room is always welcomed. Luckily for me, the steam room at Maisha Spa was utterly stark.

The temperature in the steam room seemed a little intimidating at first, but it was a very comfortable 45 degrees Celsius. I’m sure for some people it might

lifestyle


sound a tad bit too hot, but I promise the heat becomes tolerable after a few minutes.

Steam rooms can be a wonderful place to just sweat and relax your body. If you’ve never been in one, picture a fully tiled room with tiled benches for one to sit or stretch out, and a constant fog like steam.

The room itself was without a doubt very clean and very empty, which for me is always a bonus. There’s nothing as bad as having to squeeze yourself in an airtight heated room, full of sweaty people.

It’s always good to set a time limit when in a steam room. I might have pushed the limit, when I went for 20 minutes, because as soon as I got out, I was hit with some serious hunger pangs. Luckily, there is a refreshments corner in the changing room, so getting a little hydrated helped wane the hunger.

A little side note, to the steam room novices, is perhaps practising a little steam room etiquette. Always go in with your towel, if not to avoid exposing yourself to others in the room, at least to provide a little barrier between you and the heated tiles. Remember that just because you are comfortable being in the nude, doesn’t mean that others are. Practising a little decorum is always recommended.

massage

If getting a massage is your idea of winding down an afternoon, then perhaps you should book yourself for one. And if you are anything like me, then you know that the hours spent sitting in an office can take their toll on your back, thus making a massage a well-deserved treat.

Earlier in the day, I had taken a treatment menu provided

at the reception, and had browsed through the different massages offered. The treatment menu has over ten different body massages and plenty of facials to choose from. For my session, I chose to have the Elemis Deep Tissue Massage, which according to the menu, specifically targets the back, neck and shoulders.Before my masseuse was introduced to me, I was handed a crisp white spa robe to wear. I was then led to my private massage room, by my masseuse Grace. As the door opened, a smooth calming sound greeted me. An immediate setting for maximum relaxation was further created with the dim ambient lights.

At the centre of the room, below a hollowed out ceiling with recessed lights, was the massage table. I was asked kindly to disrobe and to lie face down on the massage table. Having fully settled, Grace then asked me to confirm what kind of pressure she could use for my back. I asked for the hardest pressure.

For massage novices, I would advise that you ask your masseuse what pressure would be most comfortable for different parts of the body. Having said that, you should also be comfortable enough with someone’s hands on you. It may be a little strange to begin with, but as the massage session goes on, you will hopefully have become fully tranquil.

On average, a massage at the Maisha Spa runs for 30 minutes, but there are those that last for up to 120 minutes. It all depends on the type of massage you are looking to get.

lifestyle


Ingredients:

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan

1 pound carrots, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving

4 6 -ounce center-cut salmon fillets (about 1 1/2 inches thick)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Pinch of ground cinnamon

1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup sliced almonds

salmon is classified as one of the healthiest foods yet few of us bother to include it on our dinner tables. It’s omega 3, protein and amino acid benefits need not be over emphasized. Here’s a quick but delicious recipe you can make to tap into the salmon benefits.

DIRECTION

Preheat the broiler. Lightly oil the broiler pan. Toss the carrots

with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl, then spread out on one

side of the pan. Broil until the carrots begin to soften,

2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, the honey, mustard

and 1 tablespoon lime juice in a small bowl. Brush the tops

and sides of the salmon with the glaze. Put the salmon, skin-

side down, on the other side of the broiler pan next to the

carrots and season with salt and pepper. Broil until the salmon

is golden brown and just cooked through and the carrots are

crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon each olive oil and lime

juice, the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, mint and almonds in

a bowl. Add the carrots and toss to combine; season with salt

and pepper. Serve the salmon with the carrots and

lime wedges.

food

By Martha Ayuma

Glazed Salmon wITh SpICEd CARROTS


Mixed Patterns

Find the Patterns

Each row follows a different rule. Fill in the blank.

The numbers in each square follow a pattern. Try to figure out which number comes in the middle. For

the first square, analyze the square and the diamond.

PUZZLESchildren’s corner

17 2018 21

2 84 16

15 27 51

1512

9

1315

148 22

1

9

8 16

10

2

12

4

Answer: Mixed Patterns 1: 23, 2: 32, 3: 39, 63, Find the Patternt 1: 54, 2:8


Talk toaunt umulisaDear Aunt Umulisa,

Forgive me for seeking

solutions from you because

I am not your ordinary lady

reader with issues. I am a

man, as confused as ever,

and believe you may have

something for me.

My wife and I were married

in a colourful church

ceremony 18 years ago, and

we lived a very fulfilled and

happy life before education

came in to split us! Yes,

education!

My wife jokingly applied for

a scholarship to Canada

and she got it. She was

then working in the senior

position of the Public

Relations Manager for a

local prestigious bank while

I occupied an equally senior

position of Chief Quantity

Surveyor for an international

construction firm. Life was

good. Pretty good. What, with

the blessing of two lovely

girls and a handsome boy,

how could life not have been

good?

And so we said our goodbyes

at the airport, promising to

keep in touch and bear the

three years my wife would be

away. The three years did fly

quickly. We wrote and called

as often as we could. I held

the fort here as much as I

could.

When the three years ended,

my wife opted to stay on

in Canada, as she had

performed exceptionally

well and the university

was further offering her a

scholarship to pursue a PhD.

She requested to come home

for a while before resuming.

We were excited beyond

words when we went to

receive her at the airport. I

couldn’t quite put my finger

on it but I noticed I was no

longer dealing with the same

person I had married. She

seemed distant and had no

attachment completely to

her own children. She would

drive them away if they

attempted to touch her.

3 months later, we were alone

again. The 5 years ended. But

my Uwase never came back.

She was being offered some

fellowship and some funding

for this and that research.

We were now hearing from

her once in even 4 months.

She has not come back since

we last saw her when she

returned from a break from

her masters degree.

Sadly, I have come to learn

she has a 6 year old boy,

sired in the period she was

studying. I confronted her

about this and she confirmed

it. It is very painful for me

to write this. She tells me

she cohabits with the man

and may not be returning to

Rwanda soon. What do I tell

our children?

Now Aunt Umulisa, am I

married?

Collins.

Dear Collins,

Some situations are tough. So

tough that no solutions can

be proffered at times. Allow

me to give my observations

and let you decide what you

should do.

My first observation

emanates from the definition

of marriage. Two people

of the opposite sex coming

together to live as man

and wife. The bible says a

man shall leave his home

and cleave to his wife. My

understanding is that people

ought to live together. It may

not always be the case due to

travel and all.

Secondly, I am a strong

opponent of marriage

operated from a distance or

by remote control. This is

precisely what has happened

to you. Believe me, when you

said your goodbyes the first

time at the airport, I can bet

your wife never envisaged

what would follow: that she

would become unfaithful and

let you down. In her heart,

she knew she was coming

back to you. But distance,

especially such long distance

is very distractive. I am not

excusing your wife. What

she did was wrong because

it means she opted to play

with the lives of 4 people who

loved her dearly.

My take is that full time

studies occupy one fully and

communication between you

two must have slowed down.

You see, communication is

the glue that holds distant

relationships together. Once

you considerably reduced

on that, it was easier for

temptation to set in. You do

not `say whether you have

also not been tempted these

18 years. Chances are, you

were, only that you did not

go to the extremes your wife

went through.

There is the possibility that

your wife was never really

committed to you from the

beginning. A woman does not

just abandon 3 children and

a loving husband without a

reason. Might you also have

handled her badly while you

were together?

You have two options.

You can file for divorce

because the law would

easily grant it on account

of abandonment. The other

option is to get your wife to

come, sit with elders and

gun for reconciliation. An

interrogation of both of you

will need to be done. In my

opinion, 18 years is a long

time and one should not

just throw these years away.

Option one should only be

pursued when all else has

failed. Again as I mentioned

before, the choice ultimately

is yours.

To answer your question,

as long as you have not

divorced your wife legally,

yes, you are very much still

married, though it doesn’t

feel so.

Do you have queries? Send

them to auntumulisa@gmail.

com


pictorial

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pictorial


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Documents

Diva magazine Issue 14