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Remembering Brenda Muntemba Sichilembe

My earliest memories of the late Brenda Muntemba Sichilembe date to the 80s at Lusaka Baptist Church where she became a member after becoming a Christian. I will say more about that later. For now I go back to memories at the University of Zambia where she was a student. I was ahead of Brenda by a few years.

One of the courses she had to do in her Economics studies was Mathematics. This Mathematics had some components of Statistics. Since I was studying Mathematics under the Bachelor of Education degree, she asked me to help in explaining some Mathematics concepts. I gladly did that.

I guess I did a good job because she passed the course. She later called me 'Teacher' in appreciation of the help I had rendered to her. I felt honoured to be called that way. I was impressed that she did not allow a challenging course to get in the way of getting her qualification. She worked hard. Sought help and got her qualification.  Such was Brenda. Determined and focussed all the way.

Brenda attended Lusaka Baptist Church in the 80s and 90s where she was an active member. In her early days she was involved in the Youth Ministry where Kunda Kalifungwa, Richard Ngwisha, Joseph Zulu, Christian Kasumo and myself among others were  leaders. Brenda consistently attended the youth meetings where she grew in grace and the knowledge of Christ.

Richard and I were editors of the youth magazine called 'Buy the Truth'. Brenda was a regular contributor of articles especially poems to the magazine. I recall one time she wrote a poem that Richard and I heavily edited. She was not amused. I would not be amused too if an editor heavily edited my writing. Those who write know what I mean. Richard had to explain to her at some point "We are editors, what did you expect?"

Brenda took it well and did not bear a grudge with us. Later she was to publish a book "Off Duty" which is a poetic book. This shows she had matured in her writing. We can learn from her how to take criticism well and grow in our talents and gifts.

I also recall when I was at the University of Zambia in my final year in 1991. As graduates in the University Christian Fellowship (UCF) we had to write farewell messages in the Fellowship magazine called Evangel. One of the things I wrote was that "I was 23 and half years old as I was leaving campus". To which Brenda commented in the magazine "Good grief the Lord God made them all. Such exactness can be expected from a Mathematician". (paraphrased).






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