 |
And then I told him how he used to always say, “My father killed seven lions and the eighth one killed him.” This he remembered and said, “Oh yes, Taata mebo (my father), he killed many animals.” At the end of our conversation, he said, “ma, nda lumba” (thank you). I cherish that conversation because it assured him that he would be fondly remembered by his children and even his grandchildren.
It was round about the third week of December 1999
that my dad was flown to
My dad’s condition was heartbreaking so I went on my
knees and prayed to Jehovah God so fervently. I needed God to perform a miracle
to preserve my father alive for just a little while longer so that I could
prepare myself by spending as much time with him as possible. I asked God for a
period of two and exactly two years later my dad passed away; and even though I
never ever wanted him die, it was best to let him go because he had suffered
enough.
Six years later, memories of my dad flood my mind as I
relive the moments we spent together. I am content that in word and action I
showed him that I cared and loved him dearly.
A truly wonderful man my dad was; a good man, our family hero, and a man
we will always be proud of who filled our home with much heartiness and
laughter. On behalf of my dear mother
Yolanta Chona and my siblings, we are thankful to Jehovah God - the Life Giver
- for having given us a wonderful man, Mathias Mainza Chona. Jo Chona Paris, 11 December 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memories of My Father As Tuesday 11th December dawned it brought the memories of my father Matthias Mainza Chona. Actually saying out his name always reminds me of the time when he was Prime Minister and the way he always called home. This particular time, I answered the phone and innocently asked ‘who is speaking’ and he answered in a serious tone‘ I am Mainza Chona speaking’. I was amused at his seriousness and said ‘ Iii ba Taata’ and he just replied ‘tee kai wandi buzya!’ (well, you asked who is speaking!’) That changed the way I answer the phone. There are numerous times each day when I think of my father. ‘Cita naa munoo ndiyeeya buti? (I do not know how you will be remembering me)’ Literal translation because when one thinks of someone, one actually relives the incident particularly when one is no more. When my sister Kaoli was very sick and needed surgical intervention, my father, then ambassador to the Republic of China, travelled from Beijing to be with Kaoli. At the time Kaoli was already in Kitwe with my sister. My father and I travelled from Lusaka to Kitwe with my aunt Bina Rejoice and the husband. Recognising that Kaoli was going to need looking after post operatively, my father through me asked the son-in law if arrangements had been made for someone to help Kaoli during the home convalescent period. My brother-in law explained that his sister was prepared to look after Kaoli. After much silence my dad said ‘ Mona can you please tell bapongozi that there is no need to involve people who will have to learn to love Kaoli in sickness when there are already many who love her and are keen to care for her. So on discharge my sister stayed at her twin sister’s for the period. After a few weeks he retorted ‘Basa Kaoli has her own house a mulumi, she needs to go back now she is better!’ I must say when he arrived from China for Kaoli’s operation, I was a little disappointed because I felt that my mother’s presence would have been better. However my father proved me wrong. Kaoli was vomiting after the operation such that my father was visibly concerned. He asked so many questions. Why is she vomiting? Did the operation affect the stomach system? Will she ever eat? What about her nutritional needs? Will the scar not rupture with the wretching? I explained that it was a common post op effect and that it normally subsides with little intervention. But each visiting session my father would ask ‘Mbuti kai nobacaangu?(how are you feeling now)’ Kaoli would reply in a weak voice and leaking her dry lips ‘ndaluka!’ That evening we spent hours searching for lemons all over Chingola! We visited markets and supermarkets as well as small shops where we thought we would find lemons. According to him ‘ inga Chimbamu andipa lemon as I am swallowing the juice kujana kumoyo kwatalika kusalala.’(As I swallow the lemon juice all the nausea clears.) He had such faith in lemons and ginger and for sure this eased the patient’s sickness. He worried more than a mother would and made so much fuss to enhance her recovery. In fact, he felt it was unfair that husbands are allowed to stay at patient’s bedside after surgery while parents have visiting rights only! ‘Nkaambo Kaoli aswebo tulamuyanda!’ he retorted. Although he was worried about Kaoli being in theatre we spent time with the Medical Director and shared a few jokes. The Director told us about a man who was invited to be guest of honour at a couple’s wedding. The man prepared his speech and opened with a famous quote from Shakespeare: To marry once is a duty, To marry twice is an obligation But to marry a third time is sheer folly! However, nobody laughed at the joke because the couple were marrying a third time! Suddenly, it dawned on us all that my father did not laugh at that joke and we all turned to him as he said ‘ as you can see I did not laugh because that guest of honour was me! Now, let me tell you what actually happened. There was not much distortion to the incident that happened to him when he lived in Livingstone in the 50’s! As a leader, the people invited him to grace the wedding and assured him that he could say anything as the couple were good people. So he decided to open his speech with the quote from Shakespeare. He said that the lesson learnt is to never to accept last minute invitation to be guest of honour. My father was a people person and that is something that he shared with us his children and grandchildren. He always urged us to love people. He once rebuked Puncherelo after visitors had left ‘Uli muntu nzi oo tayandi bantu, nkokuti ambeyo tondiyandi!What kind of person are you who does not love people. It means you do not love me either’ and Puncherelo replied ‘You are not people you are Kaapa!’ Indeed he is ba Taata, ba Kaapa and now great grandpa. Always in our minds, hearts, tongues. Lord grant him eternal rest and peace. Mona Chona Siyanga London, December 11 2007
|
||
|
Related materials |
|||
 |