Replacing Parfait Ngizwenayo who was the president of Rwanda Actors Union (RAU) from the beginning of this year, Marie France Niragire popularly known as Sonia in 2012 Rwandan romantic drama "Inzozi" was voted the new president of the Union in the general assembly held on December 17.
Parfait Ngizwenayo ceded the chair over his busy schedule to comply with the duty before the end of his term of 5 years and was appointed one of consultant counselors in newly appointed committee.
Marie France Niragire, the newly appointed RAU president
The new appointed committee of the union helmed by Marie France is composed by:
President: Marie France NIRAGIRE;
Vice-president: RUTABAYIRO Eric
Secretary: Rebecca MUCYO UWAMAHORO
Treasurer: KAYUMBA Vianney (Manzi)
Regulatory council: IRUNGA Longin, NYIRABAGANDE Filidaus (popularly known as Rangwida in Urunana radio drama), and BIZIMANA Vital.
Consultant council: Parfait NGIZWENAYO (the former union president), NKUNZIMANA Richard and Rukundo Arnold (Shaffi)
During his short term regime as the president of the union, the then Hillywood Actors Coalition (HAC) which was headed by Willy Ndahiro changed to Rwanda Actors Union (RAU), and it was registered in Rwanda Governance Board as a recognized organization.
Parfait Ngizwenayo alongside Connie Britton at Hotel des Milles Collines
Parfait Ngizwenayo hosted Hollywood actress Connie Britton during her UNDP mission in Rwanda, in her meeting with Rwandan filmmakers at Hotel des Milles Collines on June 22nd, among other achievements.
Marie France’s plans for the future for RAU
Starting from the next year, as the new president of the union, Marie France told Inyarwanda that, “2016 is the year of trainings and workshops for actors. We want to master our craft so as to be professional and develop ourselves to the international level. We will also invest in developing our international languages skills as it’s one of the issues Rwandan actors have, among other activities for the future.”