Meet Jean Pierre Mazimpaka, A man behind IGIHE’s Video Production Services

As usual this blog presents you CVs of people who have made something important in their life or those who have made significant achievements and still have better plans for the Future.

Rwanda Digest this time brings you Jean Pierre Mazimpaka, a young boy who is behind Video Production Services at IGIHE Ltd. Creative and Innovative, JP has developed his talents and wishes to share experience with Rwandan youth who have innovative ideas....

Jean Pierre Mazimpaka

May you introduce yourself to me?

My name is Jean Pierre Mazimpaka, I am 24 years old. I am Rwandan by Nationality. I was born in the South of Rwanda in Gisagara District on 30 June 1991.

Who is Jean Pierre in terms of Education qualifications?

Jean Pierre Mazimpaka is a Student at the University of Rwanda in the School of Journalism and Communication, option of Journalism. I now go in Level 4, in the academic Year 2015/2016.

I hold an A2 Diploma in languages (English, Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda) with a First class honour. I studied Secondary school in Gisagara District at G.S St Francois d’Assise de Kansi (OL), and E.S Gikonko (AL)

 Can you tell us the story behind your getting into Journalism?

 Well, now we get to the point of who is the real me.

From my childhood, I was assumed by my young colleagues to be a good story teller. I was very good at memorising and always have stories to keep people around laughing. 

I grew up liking to listen to Radio. Sometimes my Grand Mother reminds me how I used to tell them everything that was said in the news bulletin of Radio Rwanda. They could sit and listen to me like It is a Radio receiver opened. I was even able to imitate the tone of Journalists. Hhahahhah!! Sometimes I laugh when I recall how funny I was that time. One of the Journalists I remember is Jeanne Jeantille.

I believed once I will be a Journalist, and in my village people nicknamed me Journalist.

JP during the celebration of 50th Anniversary of AFDB

Time went on, and I finished my Studies being the First at my Primary School, Rusongati. I went at G.S Kansi

That time there was a reform; Introduction of MEG, HEG, EFK, EKK, MPEG, etc. I was given EKK. I screamed with Joy cause I knew I will do my best and go to the University to Study Journalism. At School I started Journalism, every morning I had to present news.

That is what happened. In my First year in 2012/2013 I had more courage to demonstrate everyone the ability that I had in journalism. That year, I published stories in IBANGA NewsPaper of the Former National University of Rwanda and I was writing for an online website “IBIRIHO.COM” it is now offline. In the holidays I went to Isango Start Radio and worked as an Intern in Sport. It was after completing 6 Month training in Sport Reporting organised by GLMC nad MHC.

Jean Pierre holds a certicificate in Sport Reporting

That same holiday I approached Theo Harushyamgara who was representing Radio Salus in Kigali and showed him the courage I had in Journalism. He gave me the opportunity to work. My First Story aired on Radio Salus was on the Launch of Kenya Ports Authority.   I did it on 22^nd July, 2013. I can call this the real starting point of my Journalism. I received messages of encouragement from different friends.

I went on doing Kigali Stories for Radio Salus and attending different big event.

In July, 2014 I shifted from Radio Salus to IGIHE.com. It was a new experience. In only 4 months I have been approached by CEO, Meilleur Murindabigwa, who saw the talent that was in me. He told me that I am going to be the Head of Video Production. That time I was very surprised because, I hadn’t finished my studies, and I was thinking I am very young to Head a department in a big company like IGIHE Ltd. I agreed and gave in all my efforts to the success of this department.

In the wake of 2015, I was also given another opportunity of being a presenter of a TV and Radio Program of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). 

I am now well experienced in Radio Journalism and TV Journalism.

I did several trainings in line with my career.

2013: Training on Sport Reporting and Entertainment by MHC and GLMC

2013: Training of Investigative Reporting by MHC

2013: Trainings on Effective use of Social Media by MYICT

2014: Training on “Communicating Labor Rights” by ITC and ILO

2015: Radio Technician training by GLMC and MHC

 Briefly tell us about your Daily Schedule?

Well! My daily schedule is somehow complicated but well organised.

Usual I wake up at 6h30’; I praise God for the new day then get prepared to go to work.  I take breakfast then get my bag with my Laptop and take a motorbike to the Office.

The first thing I do when I get to the office is to answer e-mails and browse to see new thing trending on around the World.

Then, I meet my team and divide the day’s tasks within the Department of Video Production. I have to do follow up on every single activity happening to make sure everything is on the right track.

I go for launch between 13h00’ and 14h00’. Then I continue with the work up to 22h00’. When I get home late in the Evening I prepare my clothes for the following day before going to bed. In the evening I normally don’t take a full meal. I can eat fruits or drink milk or juice; it depends. 

Where did you get inspirations to do what you are doing today?

As I explain, I grew up with an ambition of being a Journalist. I even promised my mum that I will once work for the BBC that I considered that time as the best in the World.

It is very difficult to tell the time that I get inspirations because Journalism and all that is related to it, for me are talents that I was born with.

When I was growing up, some Journalists like Ally Yussuf Mugenzi of BBC, Jeanne Jeantille, Yves Bucyana, of Radio Rwanda and Radio Salus inspired me a lot.

What made you happy since you started Journalism and also Video production career?

Interesting! The first time felt the joy of being a Journalist is the day I attended a Presidential Press Conference. It was on 1^st July, 2014 at Village Urugwiro. That time I asked a question to the President of the Republic of Rwanda.

This was a great achievement for a young Journalist; I was only 23 Years old.

The other time I felt very happy was when I was told that I am going to head the department of Video Production and be the Presenter of a TV and Radio and TV program at the same time. It was in December 2014 in a meeting with the CEO. This showed me how the energy and efforts I put in every single act, is considerably admitted by my authorities. Of Course, this has put on me a big pressure to prove that they were not wrong appointing me on that post. You understand that the income also increased.

I am always happy when I receive phone call, people telling me that I did a great job, appreciating what I did. Most of the time they appreciate the voice and how I arrange thing.   

If you had Rwf 3 million budgets to tackle any project, what would it be?

Hhahhahaha!! A budget of 3 millions Rwanda francs is not big enough to start a big project. Anyway, I can do farming. I like farming.  

What are your plans for the future?

In the future I have different plans starting from ending my studies successfully. From the first time I entered the University, my aim was to end University studies being the first in my promotion. I am working hard to get this done first.

After having my bachelor degree, I will have to work for at least one year and then continues with masters. After that I will think of something big in the field of journalism that I can do, either putting up a Radio Station or TV.

I will also continue to do my best to excel in everything.  I am now serving as Head of Video Production at IGIHE Ltd. I also present TV and Radio programs for our clients. Besides all those tasks I work with EFE Agencia as a stringer.

What is your Message to Rwandan Youth?

My message to Rwandan youth of which I am part of, we need to set goals early and work hard to get on it.

The very big mistake a Rwanda youth can do is to hide his/her talent. Expose and explore what is in you and be yourself.

To be successful in life I found that it requires to be a good goal setter, hard working, and creative, disciplined, open minded and to never give up. Those are some of my Values.

You also need to know that above all there is God and always remember to praise him and give back.

End