Rwanda's Remarkable Ascent: Forging Dignity and Values in a Changing World

Author and scholar Joy Uwanziga Nzamwita's latest book, "Rising with Dignity: The African Stoic, The Rwandan Way," distills profound life lessons shaped long before formal education. These lessons, traditionally passed through generations via conversation and example, form the heart of her work. The book, a culmination of years of reflection, extensive reading, travel, and cross-cultural dialogues, is set to be launched on August 29 at the Kigali Marriott Hotel.

For Uwanziga, the book serves not as a collection of definitive answers, but rather as a written articulation of wisdom she believes Rwanda and Africa inherently possess. She emphasizes her role as a facilitator, utilizing her linguistic skills and passion for diverse cultures and literature to share her insights, hoping readers will gain valuable perspectives.

Uwanziga's journey to authorship is marked by a rich academic and diplomatic career. She studied at the former National University of Rwanda in Butare, now the University of Rwanda, before advancing her education in Europe. She earned a master's degree in International Protocol and Diplomacy in Brussels and spent over 15 years working in the Netherlands, including a significant tenure at a diplomatic mission where she served as an embassy secretary and handled consular affairs. Currently, she is completing a PhD in Migration Studies at University College Cork in Dublin, Ireland, where her research investigates the socio-political drivers of continued migration in the Great Lakes region.

These experiences spurred deeper reflection on the values she imbibed during her upbringing in Rwanda. Recalling elders' admonitions like, "Rwandans do things this way," which instilled humility and shaped character, Uwanziga began pondering a critical question: what becomes of a society's largely unwritten values as the world around it undergoes rapid transformation?

The genesis of "Rising with Dignity" was rather modest. While residing in the Netherlands, Uwanziga began teaching Kinyarwanda to Dutch nationals and Rwandans married to Dutch partners. As she developed teaching materials and assignments, her research deepened considerably. What started as simple lesson notes gradually expanded, eventually leading her to conceive a full-length book rather than just a language resource. The resulting work explores values, identity, resilience, and dignity, alongside how individuals navigate life's challenges.

At the core of the book is a concept akin to Stoic philosophy: while external events are often beyond human control, individuals retain the power to choose their responses. Uwanziga skillfully references Roman Stoics such as Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, and delves into Greek philosophy, drawing connections to African traditions that she believes naturally embody many of the same principles later formalized in Western thought. She is particularly interested in the idea that one's emotions and decisions should not be entirely dictated by external circumstances. She advocates for acknowledging feelings but controlling them, rather than being controlled by them. The overarching message resonates with enduring difficult moments, maintaining discipline, persevering through challenges, and refusing to let hardship define one's identity. This, she asserts, is where the profound connection between Stoicism and a distinctly Rwandan resilience becomes evident. She believes Rwandans inherently possess a strength to rebound, stating, "We went through a lot, but the fact that we know how to rise again naturally, we do have those strengths."

The book's title, "Rising with Dignity," is intentionally chosen. For Uwanziga, resilience transcends mere survival; it encompasses the manner in which one conducts oneself after experiencing adversity. She posits that "every time you fall, what you do after falling is what matters more." In the Rwandan African context, this means not only rising after a fall, but rising with an inherent sense of dignity. This theme permeates the book's reflections on identity. Uwanziga challenges the common practice of defining oneself by educational institutions, job titles, or accumulated achievements, arguing that character offers a far more authentic measure of who a person truly is. This emphasis on character is particularly salient for a society undergoing reconstruction. Following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda required not only financial aid and physical rebuilding but also immense resilience, unwavering determination, and individuals prepared to persevere through profound loss. She cites the powerful example of a mother who, despite losing her family during the genocide, continued to live and rebuild, embodying the kind of societal strength that must be transmitted across generations.

Uwanziga's concern for culture is not a rejection of modernity but a call to embrace change while remaining firmly rooted in one's cultural identity. She cautions against cultural amnesia, believing that openness should not necessitate forgetting one's heritage. A significant theme in "Rising with Dignity" is the indispensable role of language in preserving cultural identity. She expresses disappointment when Rwandans show pride in their children's fluency in English, French, or Spanish, while neglecting the importance of speaking Kinyarwanda, calling this a source of shame. This principle also extends to migrants and refugees arriving in Rwanda; Uwanziga, in her current work supporting these communities, observes that misunderstandings often arise when newcomers lack knowledge of the host country's customs, language, or history. She argues that a simple understanding of local culture can frequently avert unnecessary conflict.

Uwanziga passionately advocates for more Rwandans to document their own country's narratives. She believes there is a wealth of stories to tell about its people and land, and that documenting Rwandan values is fundamentally an act of ownership. While others will inevitably write about Rwanda, their perspectives will always be shaped by their own interests. She states, "Because no one is living our life." She does not assert that Rwandan culture is superior but emphasizes the value of understanding one's own societal contributions while remaining receptive to learning from other cultures.

While "Rising with Dignity" draws heavily on traditional values, Uwanziga is acutely aware of the challenges inherent in preserving them in the rapidly evolving digital age. Social media, in particular, has transformed communication and the speed at which ideas propagate. She fondly recalls evenings when families simply sat together, ate, and conversed. Now, she notes, many individuals' days begin with immediate phone engagement, often before they have had a moment to think or reflect. "You wake up in the morning, the first thing, you reach your phone," she observes, highlighting how one might already feel upset before the day truly begins due to external information. Her solution to this modern dilemma echoes the book's central message: begin the day by focusing on oneself. She suggests waking up, breathing, hydrating, making the bed, praying or reflecting, and consciously deciding how the day should unfold before allowing social media to dictate one's mood. The emphasis is on directing energy towards what one can control.

Uwanziga views "Rising with Dignity" not as the definitive statement on Rwandan values, but as a vital contribution to an ongoing conversation. Her profound hope is that the lessons within her book will transcend generations, much like the values that inspired it. Her ultimate desire is not personal acclaim as an author, but the lasting impact on readers. "The legacy I would love my writings to leave behind is whoever gets a chance to read it just considers being human," she articulates, defining this humanity through integrity: consistently doing the right thing in the right place, even when unobserved. This encapsulates the essence of her journey, from Kigali to diplomatic service in Europe, from teaching Kinyarwanda to penning a book on philosophy and culture. For Uwanziga, while the world may change, societies evolve, and technology continues to reshape human existence, certain immutable qualities are worth carrying forward: resilience, dignity, character, gratitude, the shared responsibility to assist one another, and the vital stories that connect each generation to its origins.