Mukezangango Didier, popularly known as Di4Di Muke, and Joshua Heri shared impactful insights during an interview on the YouTube channel "Di4Di Muke." The channel delivers empowering discussions designed to educate and transform Rwandan society.
Joshua Heri highlighted the overwhelming influence of technology on young people today. He stated: “The youth are struggling, and the root of this struggle is surprisingly simple—this little device (pointing to a phone). According to research from the Ministry of Health, young people are more affected by emotional stress and mental health issues than older generations. But think about it: what stresses a young person who isn’t shouldering marital responsibilities, isn’t paying for a child’s education, and isn’t battling hunger?”
Mukezangango Didier, known as Di4Di Muke, stressed that much of this emotional distress begins at an early age. He explained how children as young as 14 or 15 often get consumed by romantic feelings, behaving as though they are already married couples.
He elaborated: “I believe a significant portion of youth is experiencing emotional distress—let me break this down. Imagine a 15-year-old who calls their schoolmate their partner. Perhaps the partner is also around 14 or 15. These adolescents don’t just see themselves as friends—they see each other as husband and wife. This mindset makes the emotional battles even more intense.”
Didier illustrated that this phenomenon affects young people from all social classes. He noted, “This isn’t limited to kids from affluent families; it impacts those from financially struggling households too. You’ll find children prioritizing these relationships over their responsibilities—for instance, a young boy might refuse to fetch water, fearing his ‘wife’ might see him and think less of him.”
As these children age, they sometimes engage in harmful behaviors, compounding the emotional challenges. Didier warned: “Around the age of 16 or 17, many start drinking alcohol to emulate adult behavior. Picture two teens sharing fries and a soft drink—one is fussing about meal arrangements like a housewife, while the other puffs up his chest, playing the role of a proud dad. It’s an awkward mimicry of adult life.”
Another pressing issue is jealousy and conflict among young couples. Didier expressed concern over how possessiveness can escalate into violence or risky actions: "You’ll see the intensity when a boy tries to approach someone’s ‘wife.’ The reaction can be explosive—fights break out, and emotions boil over with accusations like, ‘Stay away from my wife!’ Meanwhile, the other boy counters, claiming, ‘She used to be my ex.’ Such situations sometimes spiral into physical confrontations.”