Meet Pie-Pacifique
Kabalira-Uwase

Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase is a Rwandan-born author, speaker, and leadership educator whose remarkable journey - from witnessing the 1994 Genocide while just teenager to becoming an award-winning scholar and business leader in South Africa - shapes his inspiring approach to personal and organizational growth. As Director of PEM Afurika and a seasoned professional in business development, sales, and enterprise strategy, he blends lived wisdom with technical expertise to help individuals and companies unlock purpose, performance, and long-term impact.

His purpose, in his own word: “My purpose is to transform adversity into opportunity — for myself and others. I strive to help individuals, leaders, and organizations unlock their potential by sharing stories that heal, insights that inspire, and strategies that drive meaningful change. Through coaching, consulting, and testimony, I work to elevate human dignity, strengthen community resilience, and enable people to rise above their circumstances with courage, compassion, and possibility.”

About the book Witnessing

Witnessing – From the Rwandan Tragedy to Healing in South Africa is a deeply moving memoir by Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase, chronicling his harrowing journey from witnessing genocide as a young boy in Rwanda to rebuilding his life in South Africa. He recounts how he fled violence, worked as a car guard in Durban, earned a physics degree, and ultimately won a prestigious Mandela-Rhodes Scholarship. With raw honesty and vivid storytelling, Pie-Pacifique explores themes of trauma, identity, resilience and forgiveness, offering profound insights for book-clubs, corporate leaders, and anyone seeking hope in the face of adversity.

Reviews overall describe the memoir as deeply moving, honest, and inspirational. On Goodreads, readers praise the book for its emotional power — some say they were hit by “a roller-coaster of emotions,” crying at moments of pain and rejoicing at triumphs. One reviewer said it “truly lives up to its title,” emphasizing how they felt like they were witnessing Pie-Pacifique’s journey firsthand.

In media coverage, sources such as the Sunday Times highlight how the memoir explores not only the horrors of genocide but also the ongoing process of healing and self-discovery. Reviewers note his resilience, describing his story as a testament to strength of character — from surviving war to working as a car guard, to earning a Mandela-Rhodes Scholarship.

Academic and institutional commentary adds further affirmation: the University of Johannesburg hosted a book discussion on Witnessing that underscored its profound impact in conversations on trauma, leadership, and reconciliation.

Some also call out the book as a teaching tool — a powerful narrative that can spark meaningful discussion in book-clubs, academic settings, and corporate environments. It’s seen as more than a personal memoir: it’s a bridge-builder, helping readers understand shared humanity across histories of loss and hope.

Keynote and Motivational Speaking

★★★★★
Upuli De Abrew
Insight Consulting, Durban, RSA
Pie’s words encouraged our team to persist in our goals with an open mind, despite life’s unpredictable curveballs. He showed us how perseverance and commitment can lead to extraordinary achievements, and above all, how adversity can be turned into a stepping stone for greatness.

Organisations invite Pie-Pacifique when they need a speaker who brings heart, depth, and authentic energy. His talks blend lived experience, business insight, and uplifting storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

What to expect?

• Themes that ignite resilience, hope, purpose, and performance

• A speaker who connects on a human level and inspires action

• Customisable presentations for conferences, leadership events, and youth programmes

Invite Pie-Pacifique when you want a message that lasts long after the applause ends.

Consulting

Pie-Pacifique offers end-to-end consulting support for corporates and organizations operating in sectors such as WASH, solar, agriculture, finance, education, and health. Services include:

Sales Diagnostics & Discovery – Field immersion, customer insights, barriers analysis, and clear recommendations.

Sales Strategy Design – Market approaches, channel design, recruitment systems, and performance management structures.

Training & Capability Building – Practical sales, management, and leadership programs delivered in person or online, including train-the-trainer models.

Leadership & Key Team Coaching – Strengthening decision-making, accountability, and sales execution.

Project Management & Embedding Support – Ensuring new strategies are adopted, embedded, and sustained across your teams.

All services are customized to your operating context and focused on driving frontline performance and organizational growth.