Author: Faith Kaunde

I literary don’t understand how time flies sometimes. Yesterday, marked 17 years since we buried my dad and it feels like just yesterday. I was so little when I experienced my father’s death but I remember everything that happened on that day. I will always praise God for his life and for giving me the best dad every child can dream of having.

I can talk about my dad the whole day and tell you stories especially the moments we shared. One thing I will never forget about my father, was the strong friendship I had with him. I was the only daughter in the family and was so close to my dad. I remember when I was at nursery school, my dad used to escort me on his bicycle and every lunch hour, he would come and get me. I remember that he was never late: because when I was done with classes, I would find him outside, on his bicycle, waiting for me.

There was a day, when we spent time at his shop and he told me that if we manage to make more money, we will be able to purchase a doll for me to play with. After the sales of that day, my dad bought me a big doll. I was so excited that I ran to my mother at home, and showed her what my father had done. I explained to my mother that we made more sales that day, and consequently, dad bought me a big doll.

My mother was so happy when she looked at me and said; “Wow! You have got what you have been looking for.”
Afterwards she went straight to my father and she told him it was not right to spend money on things like dolls. The conversation went on but I was busy with my new doll. Every time I think of this story, I shed tears sometimes but at the same, I smile. The smile comes as I feel the love my father had for me. Let me take this time to tell you that you have to show respect to your father, whether you’re close to him or not.
Let’s fast-forward to when I started my primary school. I was so excited to start school because it meant I could wear the cool, green Jim dress and white blouse. I remember on the first day, I went to school with my mother and father. That day my dad told me that he would not come to get me after knocking off.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because you are now 5 years of old and you will find new friends who will be coming home with you,” he said.
I opposed and told him to give me some time and to my surprise, my dad accepted. However gave me a condition that the deal would work if I scooped the first position in my class.
Everyday my dad picked me from school and we went straight to his shop. So he would work on his shop while I would be busy solving mathematics and practicing my spellings. I got used to the routine and this made me do very well in my class. This went on for more than a month; I guess we surpassed our deal. However, at some point, he stopped coming to pick me up and I started going home with my friends.
At the end of the first term, I was in the top ten and my dad told me he appreciated my effort. He also reminded me to keep my promise and strive for position one in the second term. So I worked hard and I maintained the first position to Standard 3.
There came a time when the teacher would ask; “Who is number 1?”
“Faith Kaunde,” all pupils would answer.
My dad would shower me with presents and my mother would boast about me among her friends. As I said, I have so many moments I can share with you even though I was so young the time when I lost him.

There was this other day after school as usual, I went to my father’s shop. He told me that he would be happy if I would become a journalist when I grow up. He said he would be glad if I spoke on the radio like; Alice Khoza, Eunice Chipangula and Eliza Kachali. I never understood him but I started loving the radio and it became part of me. This is why I didn’t struggle to choose what I wanted to study at the university but went straight to study Journalism. Every time I’m on the radio, it is a dream come true for me because I know my father is smiling and I will forever be grateful for that.
The pain never goes away but with time, I learnt to accept that my father, who was always on my side, is gone but he lives in my memories. What hurts the most, is knowing that he was around when I him on the photos. All in all, my father lived and I am part of his legacy. Sometimes, I wish I can just say hello and tell him how I am. I wish to tell him that my mother also died eight months after he died: but I know that is not possible.
As a seven-year-old I was so confused but I was lucky that I was surrounded with a strong woman, my mother, who could always tell me that we are going to be okay.
One thing I know is, death is real and people are dying each and every day. I made a choice to celebrate the life of my father and told myself to cry no more. I chose to call him my hero. At the age of 33, my father had his own business and had a house of his own. This makes me to work extra hard every day as he did, and I will always be grateful to God, for giving me a daddy who was my best friend and my guardian angel.
I know it’s not easy to let go of the pain that comes from the loss of a loved one but you need to pray for God to strengthen you. You may have many questions but my God is always there to comfort you when you are in pain. Sometimes you can feel like crying but always ask God to be your shoulder because he is the best comforter.

Today, I am happy that I can celebrate the life of my father after 17 years. If I had a chance to tell him, I would say; “I love you and thanks for the good memories. It’s a reflection that you once lived on this earth and you left a mark in my heart that keeps me going.”
I would not forget to repeat these words to him; “I adore you.”

I can’t believe its five years already down the line since Malawians voted for the current president. 21st May, 2014 is the year I first ever voted in my life as my age was eligible to go and exercise my rights as an 18-year-old. I remember I was so excited to exercise my right as a true Citizen of Malawi. It felt good to be part of the team of choosing a leader who would take us to the next five years.

Everyone in Malawi knows that tomorrow 21st may 2018 is the day we go to the polls and vote for Councilors, Members of Parliament (MPs) and most important the president of Malawi.
I really wished I exercised my right again this time for the second time but unfortunately I am not voting this time because the period I was supposed to register I lost my identity card and the process of getting it back took so many steps such that the time I got it back the registration was over in my city. That did not stop me from participating, I just made sure convinced 10 of my friends who had registered but did not care whether to vote or not, to go to and vote for the right candidate and I will be so glad to see them go and exercise their rights.

If you have not registered also because of different reasons make sure tonight you encourage somebody to go and vote wisely please.
There will be nothing important tomorrow than walking up to the polling station to vote. This chance comes once in five years. We all have to actively participate in determining the future of our nation.
If you don’t care about voting, then I assume that you are one of those people who don’t complain about the political leadership governing the Nation. When you vote you have a say and you can demand more or better from the political leaders.
Bad leaders are put in office by eligible voters who choose either not to register to vote or indeed register but abstain from voting. In the end the same eligible voters who do not cast their voters are the first to complain when there is poor service.
As everybody is anticipating about tomorrow and you are still thinking on whether to go vote, I encourage you that you please go and exercise your rights and vote for the right candidate. To all my fellow young people, remember the future is today and is in our hands right now and this moment and remember to make the right decision today.
Let us not let other people make decisions on our behalf while we sit down and watch, let us use this opportunity and exercise our right tomorrow. We are the generation that can make an impact for tomorrow. By Thursday this week, we are going to have a picture of who has made it and who has missed the bus.

As a young person and also a citizen of Malawi I believe that we can all change this country if we stand together and participate fully to the development of this country. Therefore, let us take this election seriously, and one more thing if you are choosing a leader for the sake of tribe whilst you know that he is not going to help the country you are wasting your time and energy for the next five years. Let’s not waste time tomorrow rather grab the opportunity once and for all and vote for the right candidate and together we hope for better tomorrow. Have a lovely night and all the best as you choose wisely tomorrow.

Every morning I take a bus when going to work from where I stay in area 36 to townhall (Lilongwe) where our offices are. Like any other busy mornings, minding my own business after dropping off from the bus depot I heard a conversation of some two young ladies talking about their plan for the weekend. I was so interested in their conversation to the point that I commented.

The other girl was telling her friend how they are going to spend the weekend since it’s a long weekend. They agreed that they will go to Mulanje and visit Mulanje Mountain and see the beauty of the natural wonder.

I was so curious about this trip and asked if this trip was part of Easter celebration or just a hangout. To my surprise, they too seemed surprised that I posed that question and one of them replied with a gloomy face and said: “Girl you need to wake up this is one of the most important weeks in a year in which we have a long weekend and you need to utilize it. Thanks to the Government for allowing our country to take part in this holiday because it really means a lot to us.”  I was like yoooo! People are so thankful for the Easter holiday just for the getaway.

Anyways, the girls went their way and I too went ahead with my journey to the office and then the whole conversation with the girls got me thinking of the fact that they even thanked Government for the holiday and I remembered that this holiday we are talking about is Easter holiday which is well known as long weekend. Then, when I got to the office I started thinking about the whole holiday on my part.  Those two girls were so excited to have a long weekend for them to relax and they even thanked the Government for allowing them to be on a national holiday though I also entertained myself with plans for the holiday. Something hit me hard and I asked myself why this long weekend around the world? And also why the Easter celebration? I had to go back to the whole meaning of this celebration.

This is neither my first celebration nor the end; I have had Easter celebrations over the years. I have gone to retreats, gone to church, gone to different shows but what does the celebration really mean to me.

As part of the Easter celebration, so many churches organized prayer gatherings0. Not only that, Assemblies of God (Glorious Temple) organized an Easter convention which took place for three days from Friday to Sunday. On Saturday night they had a concert on which I attended and I loved every moment of it.

The event was supposed to start at 6pm but it ended up starting at 6:30pm which was just okay with me because I was late and I never wanted to miss out the best moments of the event. My best friend was among the guest artists performing at the concert, Esther Chitheka lewis.

Esther is one of the best worship artists I know am not just saying this because she is my best friend and we stay together but she has the talent. If you think am lying you can watch or listen to Zathu band songs and you will appreciate the talent.

Enough of my best friend, Shamma vocals was also among the artists performing and we really had a good time because I enjoyed his performance especially his famous song Zoë. The concert was supposed to end at 9:00pm but ended up at 9:30pm which was okay because we really had a good time and got home at 10:00pm where we started cooking right away and after that, I went to bed. The next morning woke up early to continue my Easter celebration, Easter Sunday. I was so excited because one of my closest friends who is just like my baby sis was at our house that made the three of us, Jacqueline my baby sis, my best friend Esther and me.

So we all went to church and the service was just great as the pastor took us to Mathew 24 and he ended up telling us we should be victorious in whatever we do because our Lord savior has risen and he is Alive.

I had fun during the long weekend and have really learned a lot, especially that Christ is alive and am a free person this really means a lot to me. I hope you also had a great weekend. What was the most amazing thing that made you happy this holiday? I wish you all the best as we continue our journeys in life. Remember Christ is Alive.