A delegation of greater than 20 staff from WHI Rwanda Cement Firm, the producer of Cheetah Cement, on Friday, July 10, visited Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide towards the Tutsi and be taught extra about Rwanda’s historical past.
The delegation toured the memorial museum, laid wreaths on the mass graves in honour of greater than 250,000 victims laid to relaxation on the web site, and made a monetary contribution to assist the preservation of Genocide historical past and memorial actions.
The go to introduced collectively staff from totally different departments and nationalities working on the Muhanga-based cement producer, together with Rwandans, Chinese language, Burundians, Congolese, Tanzanians and Kenyans.
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Mussa Mutsinzi, the corporate’s Assistant Managing Director in Cost of Individuals and Enterprise, stated the initiative had been deliberate for the reason that firm started operations in 2023 and displays its dedication to serving to staff higher perceive Rwanda and the values which have formed the nation’s restoration.
“As a overseas funding working in Rwanda, we felt it was vital for our staff to grasp the nation’s historical past firsthand,” he stated.
“We wished each Rwandans and overseas nationals working with us to be taught concerning the Genocide towards the Tutsi instantly from the memorial as a result of some folks come to Rwanda having heard totally different and generally inaccurate accounts of what occurred.”
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Mutsinzi noticed that understanding the nation’s previous would assist staff admire the inspiration of Rwanda’s unity, reconciliation and improvement, whereas encouraging accountable conduct within the office.
“We hope they are going to be extra aware of the language they use and keep away from expressions that may trivialise the Genocide or promote genocide ideology. We additionally consider this expertise will strengthen values of unity, forgiveness and dealing collectively,” he stated.
Tang Shenghui, Managing Director of WHI Rwanda Cement Firm, described the go to as emotional and academic.
“After visiting the memorial, we really feel saddened by this historical past,” he stated.
Nevertheless, he held, “you will need to bear in mind what occurred,” mentioning that the teachings from the memorial reinforce the necessity to promote unity and reconciliation.
“Historical past has already handed, however we should always concentrate on constructing the long run collectively. We should always transfer ahead with reconciliation and prosperity alongside the folks of Rwanda,” he stated.
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Tang added that the expertise additionally carries vital classes for the corporate’s operations.
“We should always deal with everybody equally and guarantee all our staff have good welfare and a very good working surroundings,” he stated.
Explaining why the corporate organised the go to, he famous that understanding Rwanda’s historical past is crucial for any enterprise working within the nation.
“As an enterprise based mostly in Rwanda, we consider everybody ought to promote love, unity and respect for each other,” he stated.
Supporting Rwanda’s development drive
WHI Rwanda Cement Firm was formally inaugurated in August 2023 at Muhanga Industrial Park, about 50 km southwest of Kigali, with an annual manufacturing capability of 1 million tonnes of cement.
The corporate, which manufactures Cheetah 32.5N and Cheetah 42.5N cement has turn into one of many nation’s main cement producers since coming into the market.
Assistant Director of Provide and Gross sales Abbie Zhao Yan stated the $50 million funding firm is meant to assist Rwanda’s rising infrastructure wants.
“Our objective is to supply top-quality cement in Rwanda to assist the folks right here construct their properties and assist the nation’s improvement,” she stated.
Zhao famous that though Cheetah Cement has been on the Rwandan marketplace for solely three years, it has steadily gained prospects’ confidence.
“Many finish customers at the moment are acquainted with the model. After utilizing it, they inform us Cheetah Cement is sweet,” she stated.
