After visiting Burundi in March and meeting great women that we featured, the Burundian men also wanted a piece of the cake. They reminded us that behind their beautiful, tall, elegant and great minded ladies are strong loving men who constantly push towards taking their country and the African continent to the next level.
We have heard your call Burundian men plus we received the chocolates and flowers. Allow me to introduce you to Clement Maxime Muhire, a young African leader who loves his country to bits and whose dream is to build and leave a legacy.
I am a young Burundian architect, urban and regional physical planner. I am an alumnus of President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative 2016. I am a husband to one and father to four. My journey has been very hard. You know the way you look back in time and confirm it was the hand of God? I had a very peaceful childhood up until when I was about 11 years old in 1993. There were non-stop civil wars in Burundi which led to social trouble. People were killing each other, people who had lived peacefully as neighbors for many years. I was forced to start living a paramilitary life. I became a watch dog. They nick named me Mwana wa kera which means little elder. This was because when things went wrong in our camp, like sudden attacks, I was always called in to advice the elders which often led to successful battles or strategies. There were other people who preferred calling me Gasigarupfu which loosely translates to never die because I survived near death attacks in form of gunshots or mass killings. Basic needs were luxurious at the time. Food, shelter, clothing and education were a struggle. I still can’t believe that I am this educated and alive! I am sure you have watched documentaries on genocides and civil wars in other countries- it’s not pretty.It is a nightmare. I can confirm that it is very easy for people and especially children to be turned in to soldiers for survival. My leadership skills which I continuously look to develop through seizing relevant opportunities have made me a better leader. I am now better known as a social architect. Everything I do, I do excellently for my people, my country and my continent. Young African leaders need to cultivate good leadership by being true in the way they think, in what they say, in what they do, and the way they live. By being God fearing, joining our forces and working for the common good, I am very sure we can take Africa to where it is supposed to be. I mentor many young people who get shocked when they see my work. I am quick to encourage them because I am no superman but my confidence, resilience and hard work have led to successful projects and experiences that I never thought I would have. The good book after all did promise me that my talents will usher me in to the presence of the great. Stop claiming the promise and then going back to chew on crisps and watching TV series day and night. Wake up and work your dreams. How will God take you to dine with kings if you have no work to show them but dreams? No great man ever thrived on laziness. My 2026 vision blueprint is to ensure we have a world class social sciences research center and a housing agency in Burundi. I also pray for God’s guidance to bring up my children as responsible and patriotic Africans. As for my dear wife, it is me and her and no room for any other. I love that woman! (He laughs).
