By Takemore Mazuruse
Zimbabwe-born master of ceremonies Walter Muparadzi, who has presided over close to 500 events in his decade-plus spanning career, has made a first after presiding over the inaugural Rwanda Influencer Awards held in Kigali recently.
Speaking to Standard Style, Wally as Muparadzi is affectionately known, said he feels honoured to live his dream and represent his country in one of the most exciting and fastest growing economies in Africa.
“When you do what you are passionate about, its not work but fun and I am happy to be living mu dream and representing my country here in Kigali,” Wally said.
“Being co-host of the inaugural Rwanda Influencer Awards is a big plus and honour for me and I am really humbled by this gesture of confidence from the organisers and the lovely people of Rwanda, this just demonstrates that Africa is our home and with the right attitude we can achieve a lot together.”
Wally co-hosted the awards with one of the celebrated TV anchors in Rwanda, the vivacious Aimee Beaute Mushashi.
“The Rwanda Influencer Awards recognise key influencers in the country chosen from various categories and I had the honour of hosting them with the celebrated Aimee Beaute Mushashi,” he said.
“These are the first ever such awards to be help in Rwanda and hosting them with one of the big names in the country right in the capital Kigali is humbling.”
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Some of the recognised influencers include Mbabazi Shadia recognised for the Instagram reach and numbers, Mudakikwa Pamela on Twitter, Nizeyimana Luckman on TV, Butera Knowles an artist and Niyitegeka Gracia who is an actor to name a few.
“There is a big shift happening in the Rwandan entertainment and tourism industry and being a player in that space with my company Wale Tours Du Rwanda I am happy to be part of these celebrations,” Wally said.
“My hope is that my home country Zimbabwe goes this route so that we also makes waves on the international scene.”
The inaguaral Rwanda Influencer Awards were attended by top celebrities of that country that have positive influence on social media platforms.
Wally is the former vice-president of Zimbabwe Directors of Ceremonies Association, the only registered association of presenters in Zimbabwe.
He has presided over 350 events at both local and international platforms of multi-events in countries like South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, China, Dubai, and Zimbabwe over the last decade.
“I have used my extensive travel and exposure knowledge to different cultures and people, as my backbone and strength towards my podium creativity,” Wally said.
“I also co-hosted one of the biggest arts festival gala in Zimbabwe in May 2019 where I profiled some of the key guests in attendance.
“I am happy my star continues to shine and since moving here I have also delivered a flawless presentation in all 12 sessions at an annual three-day conference in November 2021 called Rwanda Global Health Summit held at the Kigali Convention Centre.
“Back home I have also handled key commemorations for reputable organisations like the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society from 2013 to 2018. I am passionate about serving and volunteering.”
Wally is also the founder and president of Wale’s Tours Du Rwanda, whose subsidiaries (Wale’s Campers Lodge) are doing well in the tourism industry, despite it being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am also an international Yacht Captain licence holder, endorsed and certified by International Yatch Training Worldwide headquarted in Canada,” he said.
“My company Wale’s Tours Du Rwanda has recently acquired an eight-seater Bowrider boat, which will used for cruise tours, at resident tourism base at the shores of Lake Muhazi,” he said.
The businessman also sits on different boards of companies in Zimbabwe, Dubai, the United States and Kenya.
