On 7 April 2025, more than 300 individuals gathered at the CT Hotel in Pretoria (formerly the Sheraton) for the Kwibuka31 Commemoration, marking the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Among them were 55 members of the diplomatic corps representing 34 countries, as well as members of international organizations, civil society, and the Rwandan community in South Africa. Hosted by the High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in South Africa, the event served as both a solemn remembrance and a powerful call to global responsibility.

The ceremony began with a candle-lighting and moment of silence, paying tribute to the more than one million lives lost during the genocide, a tragedy that unfolded over just 100 days. As candles flickered across the room, the weight of memory was palpable, echoing the collective vow: Never Again.

High Commissioner H.E. Emmanuel Hategeka delivered a poignant keynote address, reminding the audience that while Rwanda has achieved remarkable progress in unity and reconciliation, the ideology that fuelled the genocide has not disappeared. He warned that genocide denial, hate speech, and the continued threat posed by armed groups such as the FDLR in Eastern DRC still challenge peace in the region and the integrity of memory itself. Citing the Genocide Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2150, he called on the international community to go beyond rhetoric; to uphold truth, fight hate, and take meaningful action to prevent future atrocities.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of South Africa, Ms. Shongwe, Acting Deputy Director-General at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, reaffirmed South Africa’s solidarity with Rwanda. She emphasized the critical role of international cooperation in safeguarding human rights, preventing genocide, and addressing the spread of hate speech, especially in a digital era where dangerous ideologies can spread rapidly and unchecked.

The international community’s commitment was echoed by Mr. Masimba Tafirenyika, who delivered remarks on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He underscored the premeditated nature of the genocide and urged all states to fulfil their obligations under international law. In particular, he emphasized the need to tackle online disinformation and hate, and to ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

In one of the most emotional moments of the day, the audience listened to a recorded testimony from a genocide survivor. The testimony brought home the harrowing impact of the genocide, while also bearing witness to the courage and resilience of those who lived through it. It was a powerful reminder of why remembrance matters—not just for Rwanda, but for humanity.

This spirit of resilience was further embodied in a musical performance by Rwandan youth, whose voices and harmonies filled the room with a message of hope, healing, and unity. Their performance was a symbolic pledge to carry forward the lessons of the past and to shape a future built on peace.

The commemoration concluded with a group photo, capturing dignitaries, community members, and international guests standing side by side—a lasting image of shared commitment and solidarity. In his closing remarks, High Commissioner Hategeka urged everyone present to turn remembrance into responsibility.

“Commemoration without commitment is empty. Memory without responsibility is hollow,” he said. “Words can kill—but they can also heal and transform broken nations into beacons of hope.”

Kwibuka, meaning “to remember” in Kinyarwanda, is more than a moment of reflection. It is a global call to honour the truth, confront denial, and recommit to human dignity. As Rwanda continues its journey of recovery, reconciliation, and renewal, the message of Kwibuka31 resonates far beyond its borders: the past must never be forgotten, and the future must never repeat it.