Bamporiki tips Miss Rwanda Contestants on Culture, National Values
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Edouard Bamporiki, on Wednesday urged Miss Rwanda contestants to be custodians of Rwandan culture and to have the interests of the country at heart in whatever they do.
Minister Bamporiki was speaking to the top 20 contestants of Miss Rwanda 2021 who are currently in the bootcamp at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata.
During the session, Bamporiki told the girls that as Miss Rwanda contestants, they already have a responsibility to be role models and good examples of the ‘ideal girl’ Rwanda is striving for.
“You are all expected to be people who understand the history of your country, share common values with our ancestors and also be able to stand up and defend your country, its legacy, heritage and sovereignty when the call comes,” Bamporiki said.
“We have inherited a lot of values, traditions and principles which we must uphold and safeguard. As Miss Rwanda contestants, you are in a good position to prove that you have what it takes to stand tall and defend your country,” he added.
The Minister of State reminded the girls that the Miss Rwanda crown is something they should not take for granted and should strive to use their position and platform to be ambassadors of their country and culture.
“The beauty queen we expect is one who is patriotic, one who defends the interest of the country and one who is ready to carry that crown all over the world, with a sense of pride and patriotism,” Bamporiki said.
He told the contestants that in whatever they do, they should never forget the legacy of their ancestors and they should always strive to be exemplary because much more is expected from them.
Among other values, he said that good conduct and behaviour, having a sense of self-worth and carrying themselves with dignity are very important if they must represent the country at the international stage.
“From what we do, to how we do it, how we speak, how we dress, how we talk to people, how we dance to how we manage our day-to-day lives, we should always strive to live by these principles our great grandfathers left us with,”
“By representing Rwanda, you automatically have a huge responsibility on your shoulder. It is our heritage, it is our tradition, it is our culture and you as Miss Rwanda contestants, you have been chosen for this task,” Bamporiki said.
During the interactive session, Bamporiki advised Miss Rwanda contestants to be mindful of new technologies and social media, which are likely to make them stray from the said values.
“Social media is like a market. You will find the good and bad, the cheap and expensive. You choose what you want, based on what you stand for,”
“You are free to use these tools but use them in a manner that is constructive,” Bamporiki said.
He advised the girls to be on the lookout for things that can easily make them go astray, including people whose target is to mislead them into things that could have implications on their lives, especially older men who prey on young girls.
He urged the girls to put national interests at heart by being patriotic and defending the country against all odds using the platform they already have.
The girls had the opportunity to ask questions on different subjects relating to Rwanda’s culture and history.
The bootcamp continues to March 20, when the Miss Rwanda grand finale will be held.
