25 years after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Yolande Mukagasana, author of the first published survivor testimony, joins us at King’s College London to talk about the new English edition of Not My Time to Die. 

Translated by King’s Academic Dr Zoe Norridge, Not My Time to Die explores how Yolande’s life as a successful nurse and mother of three was shattered in April 1994 when the President’s plane was shot down and genocide began. Targeted because she was a successful Tutsi woman, Yolande was separated from her family and forced to flee for her life.

This gripping story of survival describes the betrayal of friends, the brutal realities of the genocide, and the help that came from surprising places. Quick-witted and courageous, Yolande never loses hope that she will find her children alive.

Speakers

Yolande Mukagasana, who lives in Rwanda, will be present in person to discuss her work, writing her testimony and living with the aftermath of conflict.

Alongside Yolande we will welcome:

• Wangui Wa Goro, academic and internationally acclaimed translator of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Véronique Tadjo (amongst others), chairing the event. 
• Eric Murangwa Eugene MBE, CEO of the Ishami Foundation, who will respond to Yolande’s testimony from the survivor perspective.
• Zoe Norridge, Senior Lecturer in African & Comparative Literature and Translator of Not My Time to Die, talking about the translation process.
• Louise Umutoni, Founder of Huza Press, Yolande’s Rwandan publisher.

We will be serving drinks.  Copies of the book will be available to purchase and can be signed by Yolande Mukagasana after the discussion.

Connections to Teaching

This memoir will be taught on course 6AAEC070, Testimony: The Holocaust and Rwanda in January 2020. All students are warmly invited to attend.

Further Information

This event connects with Ishami Foundation and King's College London activities communicating #LessonsfromRwanda.  To keep up to date with schools resources and activities please see the Ishami Foundation website and follow @FoundIshami, @e_murangwa and @ZoeNorridge on Twitter.

The translation of Yolande Mukagasna's Not My Time to Die and this launch event are funded by the AHRC. 

Please reserve a free place through Eventbrite.