Fablice Manirakiza

About Fablice

Fablice Manirakiza grew up as a child soldier in war-torn Burundi. In 2007 he escaped his country, arriving in Australia as a refugee to build his life in music. Now a rap icon among Australian youth, he has performed at concerts and workshops across Australia, East Timor and Africa. Fablice was named the 2016 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year, and now has been granted the Kirk Robson awards for recognition of his work.

A powerful keynote speaker, Fablice Manirakiza’s story of freedom and hope for former refugees living in Australia is filled with struggle, heartbreak and inspiration. He has told it to diverse groups around Australia and South East Asia and delivered workshops to school and community groups. Whether he is talking to school students or world leaders, Fablice inspires and connects with his audiences to deliver a message of resilience and hope for our future, always inspired to change the world one song at a time.

Since arriving in Australia in 2007, Fablice has established himself as an artist of influence in Melbourne’s cultural landscape, working as a hip hop artist, presenter, actor, festival producer and curator. Fablice often appears on national television and radio around Australia and in New Zealand, including a starring role in episode nine of the thirteen-part ABC TV series MY:24.

A rap icon amongst Australian youth, Fablice has performed at concerts and workshops across Australia, East Timor and Africa. In 2015 he released the EP Light of Peace. In 2013 he released his debut single Child Soldier, a collaboration with legendary Australian songwriter Paul Kelly, and his debut album Just Passing Through in 2012. Fablice has performed alongside Paul Kelly, Xavier Rudd, Angie Hart, Blue King Brown, Painters And Dockers, Ella & Jesse Hooper (Killing Heidi), Diafrix, Briggs, Killer Queens and Black Roots.

Fablice has served as President of the Australian Burundian Community in Victoria from 2013 to 2019. A proud ambassador of his community and his people, he delivered a heartfelt TEDx talk, entitled The Power of Education. He continues to study a Bachelor of Criminology and Justice as part of his efforts to bring peace to his home of Burundi and beyond.

In 2015 Fablice toured East Timor to spread his message of hope to communities throughout the country, performing at concerts and workshops, appearing on national television and speaking in front of former president, UN Special Representative and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos Horta. Fablice also regularly returns to Africa to work, perform and promote peace on the continent.

For five years Fablice was an Ambassador of Action Aid and Love of Language. He was the Recipient of Multicultural Arts Victoria’s (MAV) inaugural Arts and Cultural Development Scholarship for Refugee Youth; host of ‘I Love Africa Day’ and ‘Black Harmony Day’ (funded by MAV and the City of Yarra).

He generally completes a one-hour presentation discussing his former life as an orphan, child soldier and refugee. He focuses on the importance of education and notes how blessed he feels coming to Australia. Those who hear him speak walk away feeling blessed to be “born in Australia”, appreciating their privilege and understanding the importance of human values. Fablice intersperses his talk with three or four rap songs (no swearing) and a gospel song in his native language.

‘What an amazing day our boys were exposed to. Your personal stories were both heart wrenching and inspirational. My favourite song was the African Rap you performed at the end of your presentation.’

‘Thank you for sharing those very special stories with us. I know the boys had a great day. An experience NOT to be missed. From my heart thank you, thank you. I think you are just so amazing and special.’

‘Such a great experience for the kids, thank you for sharing your amazing story with them. My son was totally captivated by you and learnt an important lesson about how fortunate he is to be born in Australia.’

Featured Speakers