Introduction
28th July 2007 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the death of our late father Josiah Konayuma (shown on photo on the left). He was born (number six in a family of ten) in Simulyamana village in Choma to Syamatendu and Ntozye Konayuma. This brief article is a memoir of dad and the impact he had on us as a father, relative, husband, worker and friend.
Remembrance as husband
Dad's marriage to mum was his second one. Dad's first marriage ended in 1966. Dad married mum in 1967, a marriage which ended twenty-five years later due to dad's death. The fact that the second marriage lasted this long and was terminated by death is a testimony of how dad and mum did their best to make their marriage work despite the many challenges they faced as a married couple. Dad met mum in Mwinilunga and married her in Kitwe. This marriage was blessed with five children: Gabriel (1968), Linda (1971), Catherine (1972), Kenneth (1972) and Tendai (1983).
Remembrance as father
One of the recollections I have of our father is when I was four years old. At the time we used to stay in Sikanze police camp in Lusaka. I'd always look forward to my father returning from work (Police headquarters). I composed a song (why did I not become a musician?) in Citonga. The song was "Oh batata mubole eneno" which means "Oh daddy come back soon". I can still remember the tune. Maybe I've missed my calling in music?
Dad provided a lot of emotional, material and financial support from the time I started my primary schooling in 1974 right up to the time I completed my university education in 1991. I remember the times dad would check our school work and assist when and where he could in our homework. Dad was committed to ensuring that my brothers and sisters got a good start in life by getting a good education. He carefully filed all our school reports (which I still have) from primary to secondary school days. Dad encouraged us and others in their academic work. He had a lot of confidence in our academic abilities. He also encouraged us to worship God. Dad supported our attendance of youth camps i.e. by Scripture Union and Lusaka Baptist Church.
Dad rarely beat us, but when he did you remembered the beating for a while! He preferred to advise and talk to you. He was soft spoken but firm in his convictions. He tried to win one over to his line of thinking by gentle persuasion.
Dad did his best to support the children (our step-sisters) from his first marriage. He provided material and financial support to them.
He also taught us the importance of hard work. He used to work hard in gardening. He was particular that the quality of gardening was high. Another virtue we learnt from him was cleanliness. He taught us the importance of cleaning the bathroom for instance, and leaving it spotlessly clean for the next person.
Dad also taught us the importance of buying books and reading. In days when it was difficult to buy books abroad due to the scarcity of foreign exchange, dad made it a point to buy a book or two every month from the United Kingdom. He loved to read and would create time to read.
I also recall the time we went on holiday as a family with dad to Livingstone and Siavonga in 1989. It was good to relax on the shores of the Zambezi in Livingstone at the then Mosi-o-Tunya Hotel. It was good to cruise on the Zambezi river for on a boat.
Remembrance as a relative
Dad was a son, uncle, cousin, brother, nephew, brother-in-law, son-in-law and so on to many. As a son to his mother, I recall the trips to the village to see his mother (my grand mother). We would begin these trips at about 04 00 in the morning and arrive about mid-day. We would spend a night in the village and return the following day. During such times dad spent what I suppose were quality times with the mother sisters, brother and other relatives. He would distribute whatever items we had carried for the people at home. In return, we would get some village processed mealie-meal (I was reminded of this mealie-meal at a recent trip to Malawi when I had some nshima from Lilongwe Hotel). We would also have a cow slaughtered for us. Dad loved his mother and was close to his elder brother ba Amos (late) who looked after him when he was a young boy. The extent of dad's love for ba Amos was evident when he died in 1986. When dad got the message of the death of ba Amos on phone, he broke down with grief.
A number of relatives stayed with us for various durations. Our home was open to many due to the hospitality of mum and dad. A number received support to complete their educational studies. Dad also gave advice to many relatives. A good number of relatives took after dad in his calling as a police officer. Among those who became police officers are Kenneth (my young brother), Sladden, Siandenge, late Tamunana, etc.
Remembrance as a police officer
Dad joined the Police Service in the 1950s and continued in the service until 1990 when he was retired after having been recalled in 1985. He worked in various stations such as Kafue, Mwinilunga, Kitwe, Ndola and Lusaka. He loved his job and worked hard. When he was recalled in 1985, he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations. In 1986 he was promoted to Commissioner of Police, a position he held until 1990 when he was promoted as Inspector General of Police. Dad always ensured that his uniform was smart. He would spend a long time cleaning his shoes.
Dad's employment in the police service led to his visiting a number of districts in Zambia and a number of countries within and outside Africa. Some of the countries visited include Angola, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yugoslavia, etc. As happens when a parent travels, we would present shopping lists of what we wanted dad to buy us. We always remember with humour, when dad left for USA with a small travel bag with a few clothes. He was to be gone for weeks. How could he survive with so little? When he returned, we were proved wrong. He came with so much 'katundu'1 that his strategy was justified. What I treasured more than clothes bought for me were books bought for my studies. Clothes I wore then, but the books are there even to date. They can still be used by me and others.
Remembrance as a retired worker
Dad was retired twice. The first time was in the 1970s and the second and final time in 1990. The first time dad was retired, he was offered a job as a commissioner in the Police and Prisons Service Commission. Though it may not have been as a glamorous as being a police officer, he worked hard in the job until he was recalled to the police service. The second time dad was retired, he took up farming in Kafue. He also had more time to chat with us as children. We treasure the moments we had together to get to catch up with some aspects of his life. I only wish we had maximised on those moments.
Remembrance as a friend to others
Dad had a number of friends in the neighborhood and in other towns whom he maintained contact with. Some of these friends were Frederick Hapunda, Yuyi Libakeni, Mr. Lukona, Mr. Mudawanhu, Mr. Zulu etc. Dad could count on the friendship of his friends just as they could count on his friendship.
Conclusion
This brief memoir has tried to summarise over fifty-six years of dad's life in this article (an almost impossible task!). The purpose has been to have a brief overview of dad's life as it is seen in his roles as husband, father, relative, friend and police officer. We give thanks to God for the privilege of knowing him during the time he was alive. We thank God for the lessons we learnt from his life.
1 Katundu means luggage
Remembrance as husband
Dad's marriage to mum was his second one. Dad's first marriage ended in 1966. Dad married mum in 1967, a marriage which ended twenty-five years later due to dad's death. The fact that the second marriage lasted this long and was terminated by death is a testimony of how dad and mum did their best to make their marriage work despite the many challenges they faced as a married couple. Dad met mum in Mwinilunga and married her in Kitwe. This marriage was blessed with five children: Gabriel (1968), Linda (1971), Catherine (1972), Kenneth (1972) and Tendai (1983).
Remembrance as father
One of the recollections I have of our father is when I was four years old. At the time we used to stay in Sikanze police camp in Lusaka. I'd always look forward to my father returning from work (Police headquarters). I composed a song (why did I not become a musician?) in Citonga. The song was "Oh batata mubole eneno" which means "Oh daddy come back soon". I can still remember the tune. Maybe I've missed my calling in music?
Dad provided a lot of emotional, material and financial support from the time I started my primary schooling in 1974 right up to the time I completed my university education in 1991. I remember the times dad would check our school work and assist when and where he could in our homework. Dad was committed to ensuring that my brothers and sisters got a good start in life by getting a good education. He carefully filed all our school reports (which I still have) from primary to secondary school days. Dad encouraged us and others in their academic work. He had a lot of confidence in our academic abilities. He also encouraged us to worship God. Dad supported our attendance of youth camps i.e. by Scripture Union and Lusaka Baptist Church.
Dad rarely beat us, but when he did you remembered the beating for a while! He preferred to advise and talk to you. He was soft spoken but firm in his convictions. He tried to win one over to his line of thinking by gentle persuasion.
Dad did his best to support the children (our step-sisters) from his first marriage. He provided material and financial support to them.
He also taught us the importance of hard work. He used to work hard in gardening. He was particular that the quality of gardening was high. Another virtue we learnt from him was cleanliness. He taught us the importance of cleaning the bathroom for instance, and leaving it spotlessly clean for the next person.
Dad also taught us the importance of buying books and reading. In days when it was difficult to buy books abroad due to the scarcity of foreign exchange, dad made it a point to buy a book or two every month from the United Kingdom. He loved to read and would create time to read.
I also recall the time we went on holiday as a family with dad to Livingstone and Siavonga in 1989. It was good to relax on the shores of the Zambezi in Livingstone at the then Mosi-o-Tunya Hotel. It was good to cruise on the Zambezi river for on a boat.
Remembrance as a relative
Dad was a son, uncle, cousin, brother, nephew, brother-in-law, son-in-law and so on to many. As a son to his mother, I recall the trips to the village to see his mother (my grand mother). We would begin these trips at about 04 00 in the morning and arrive about mid-day. We would spend a night in the village and return the following day. During such times dad spent what I suppose were quality times with the mother sisters, brother and other relatives. He would distribute whatever items we had carried for the people at home. In return, we would get some village processed mealie-meal (I was reminded of this mealie-meal at a recent trip to Malawi when I had some nshima from Lilongwe Hotel). We would also have a cow slaughtered for us. Dad loved his mother and was close to his elder brother ba Amos (late) who looked after him when he was a young boy. The extent of dad's love for ba Amos was evident when he died in 1986. When dad got the message of the death of ba Amos on phone, he broke down with grief.
A number of relatives stayed with us for various durations. Our home was open to many due to the hospitality of mum and dad. A number received support to complete their educational studies. Dad also gave advice to many relatives. A good number of relatives took after dad in his calling as a police officer. Among those who became police officers are Kenneth (my young brother), Sladden, Siandenge, late Tamunana, etc.
Remembrance as a police officer
Dad joined the Police Service in the 1950s and continued in the service until 1990 when he was retired after having been recalled in 1985. He worked in various stations such as Kafue, Mwinilunga, Kitwe, Ndola and Lusaka. He loved his job and worked hard. When he was recalled in 1985, he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations. In 1986 he was promoted to Commissioner of Police, a position he held until 1990 when he was promoted as Inspector General of Police. Dad always ensured that his uniform was smart. He would spend a long time cleaning his shoes.
Dad's employment in the police service led to his visiting a number of districts in Zambia and a number of countries within and outside Africa. Some of the countries visited include Angola, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yugoslavia, etc. As happens when a parent travels, we would present shopping lists of what we wanted dad to buy us. We always remember with humour, when dad left for USA with a small travel bag with a few clothes. He was to be gone for weeks. How could he survive with so little? When he returned, we were proved wrong. He came with so much 'katundu'1 that his strategy was justified. What I treasured more than clothes bought for me were books bought for my studies. Clothes I wore then, but the books are there even to date. They can still be used by me and others.
Remembrance as a retired worker
Dad was retired twice. The first time was in the 1970s and the second and final time in 1990. The first time dad was retired, he was offered a job as a commissioner in the Police and Prisons Service Commission. Though it may not have been as a glamorous as being a police officer, he worked hard in the job until he was recalled to the police service. The second time dad was retired, he took up farming in Kafue. He also had more time to chat with us as children. We treasure the moments we had together to get to catch up with some aspects of his life. I only wish we had maximised on those moments.
Remembrance as a friend to others
Dad had a number of friends in the neighborhood and in other towns whom he maintained contact with. Some of these friends were Frederick Hapunda, Yuyi Libakeni, Mr. Lukona, Mr. Mudawanhu, Mr. Zulu etc. Dad could count on the friendship of his friends just as they could count on his friendship.
Conclusion
This brief memoir has tried to summarise over fifty-six years of dad's life in this article (an almost impossible task!). The purpose has been to have a brief overview of dad's life as it is seen in his roles as husband, father, relative, friend and police officer. We give thanks to God for the privilege of knowing him during the time he was alive. We thank God for the lessons we learnt from his life.
1 Katundu means luggage
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