Rwanda: Embracing peace and reconciliation
At a time when South Africans were celebrating their hard-won liberation, Rwanda went through the darkest period in its history.
According to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the violence in 1994 resulted in the deaths of at least 1 million people.
This month marks 23 years since the brutal genocide that ran for 100 days, and has given the people of Rwanda cause to reflect not only on the country's tumultuous history, but also on the brighter future they hope to build.
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The memorial serves as the final resting place for more than 250 000 victims of the genocide, and honours the memory of the Rwandans killed in 1994 through education and peace-building.
The remains of the people at the memorial were brought here from all over the capital Kigali, after they had been left in the streets or thrown into rivers.
Today the people of Rwanda embrace peace and reconciliation, saying the country has been making great strides since those dark days.
* Our reporter Slindelo Masikane is traveling with RwandAir.