Mr. Lawrence Chibutu, who died in July 2009, was a headmaster whom one could not easily forget. He was headmaster at Kafue Secondary School, the first black Zambian head. He was headmaster whilst I was a pupil there from 1981 to 1984 when he was seconded to UNESCO.
I remember Mr. Chibutu as a disciplinarian. He instilled a sense of discipline in both pupils and members of staff. You certainly did not want to be called to his office for having done some mischief. I also remember him as been a hardworking headmaster that took his work seriously. He would take time to go round classes and the dormitories (hostels) to ensure pupils (boys) were learning studying or sleeping as the case needed to be. He also was keen to ensure that boys and teachers attend morning prayers and Sunday afternoon services. He would ensure he arranged for Preachers to come for the Sunday services. Mr. Chibutu was also was a fatherly and friendly head teacher. Once you got to know him you found that behind the facade of a disciplinarian hid a kind and fatherly heart which ex-pupils like Christian Kasumo greatly appreciated as a new pupil to Kafue Secondary School in mid-1981.
Mr. Chibutu also had an excellent command of the English language. He spoke in a very clear way and pronounced the Queen’s language very well. Mr. Chibutu was also smart. Whether it was in a suit or in shorts one could not miss his smartness. His handwriting too was smart. It always adorned our school report forms!
Lastly, Mr. Chibutu's good administrative abilities led to his being appointed as an Educational Secretary for the United Church of Zambia and to work for UNESCO in Germany.
May the Lord our God, Almighty, who gives and takes grant the Chibutu family and former Kafue Boys students and teachers continued courage, wisdom, comfort and peace as they remember Mr.Chibutu in the years to come.
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