REMEMBERING CYRUS PHIRI
December 2008 marked 5 years since the death of Cyrus Phiri. Cyrus at the time of his death was a husband and father. He was also a Baptist pastor and World Vision Programmes co-ordinator. He went to be with the Lord in his early 40’s. I first met Cyrus in 1981 at
Conversion
Cyrus became a Christian in 1977 whilst doing his form 1 (grade 8) for you who did grade 10 in 1984. At the time he was involved in the School Choir and Scripture Union. However, he sensed that all these things were just following religious rituals without having a knowledge of Christ. After sharing about his spiritual life with Mrs. Carol Eathorne (Scripture Union patron) he was pointed to Christ and became a Christian. Cyrus then became a keen disciple of Christ and loved to preach and sing of the Savior. I remember some songs he sang like “There’s a man on the Cross, His name is Jesus Christ the Son of God”, I am going to a city where the roses never fade”. He was a very good guitar player.
Character and Personality
Cyrus was a quiet and honest man. However, he carried a lot of authority with him in whatever leadership position he had. When he called for attention in the dining hall to make announcements boys paid attention and became quite! He was a very smart man. As a student he had very well ironed uniforms. Cyrus also took a keen interest in you as a person. Despite being a Head Boy and School Captain he could make time to listen to you. He also had a good command of the queen’s language. Cyrus was someone who was loved and respected by pupils and teachers alike.
Conviction
Cyrus did what he did in life because of conviction. He loved to preach and sing because he was convinced of Christ as Saviour of the world. Cyrus because of his convictions would run from
Conclusion
As I end I quote these words from the song “I am going to a city” Cyrus used to sing at secondary school. These words were so fitting at his death. He is now in that city of the blessed.
I am going to a city
Where the roses never fade,
Here they bloom but for a season,
Soon their beauty is decayed;
Where the tree of life is bloomimg
And the roses never fade.
I am going to a city
Where the roses never fade,
Here they bloom but for a season,
Soon their beauty is decayed;
We'll be free from all temptations
Where the roses never fade.
I am going to a city
Where the roses never fade,
Loved ones gone to be with Jesus,
In their robes of white arrayed,
Now are waiting for my coming
Where the roses never fade.
Comments
I was a teacher of history and English at Kafue Secondary from 1971-78, so Cyrus Phiri would have been a student when I was teaching there. I know the Eathorne's and Orridges very well as well as Lawrence Chibutu, Martin Ndema, Dave Grogan and many former teachers who taught at Kafue in the 1970's, as well as a few old boys like Jimmy Mashinkila and Wynter Kabimba. I have many fond memories of Kafue. I was the choir master from 1972-78 and introduced the use of drums, rattles and sings in several languages especially Tonga. I had a composers club that went to places around Mumbwa, Monze, Masuku and far away places in the Gwembe Valley like Chief Mweemba's Village, to record traditional songs. I think I recorded about 500 Tonga,Lenje, Goba songs over the years. Our choir was inspiring and appeared on radio and national TV as well as various churches inthe UCZ, the Anglican Cathedral in Lusaka and Mission Stations. I would occasionally preach in Siakomaunie Village, just south of the Kafue River and would take the choir or quartet with me. I wonder if Cyrus was in my choir in 1978? In 1982 I was teaching in Malawi and my family visited Kafue in August or September 1982 and I went over some hymns from Africa Praise, the hymn book we used at the time. I hope some day to revisit KSS, but I hope I won't be too disappointed by the condition of the school.
Brian Stubbings
I was a student at Kafue boys from 1975 thru 1978. I don't remember Cyrus, but I do remember Mr Stubbings and all the teachers in his comments. My favorite was Mr Grogan.
Martin Chiwama.