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James Makamba eulogised as a nurturing parent




James Makamba eulogised as a nurturing parent


 Hosia Mviringi


“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and bends with you that your arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness.

 

This is an extract paraphrased from a beautiful poem by Khalil Gibran called On Children. The beautiful quote, directed at Dr James Makamba, was part of a befitting eulogy by Mrs Kushinga Gonye (nee Makamba) at the occasion of the unveiling of a Memorial Gate in honour of Zororo Rufaro Makamba at St John's Collenge in Harare.


The unveiling of the Zororo Makamba Memorial Gate by the St John's College on September 10, 2022 presented an emotional opportunity for both the Makamba family, the St John's Community, and the Zimbabwean community from around the globe to reminisce at the life that Zororo Makamba lived. 


Yet the highlight of the event was when Kushinga Gonye (nee Makamba) rose to give her vote of thanks. She eulogised her parents, Dr James Makamba and Mrs Irene Makamba for raising their children in a manner that allowed them to become their best selves in life.


"I want to thank you mama and baba for bending your bows with great might so that this arrow caled Zororo went swift and went dar. God planted seeds of greatness within Zororo, but without you recognising and choosing to water and nurture tha greatness, we wouldn'tt be here," said Kushinga.


She said that it was very important that parents make a deliberate yet concerted effort to support, nurture and mould their children in a manner that opens all doors of life's possibilities. 


During his lifetime, Zororo lived his life to the fullest, driven by a burning passion to become a better person. He worked extra hard each and every day, in a manner that could signify a man who knew that he didn't have all the time in the world. His awareness of time enabled him to accomplish, within a short 30-year lifetime, what many older people would not have accomplished in their entire lives.


Admittedly, even though the dedication of the Zororo Rufaro Makamba gate seemed to mark the closing chapter to a very short dramatic story on the life of Zororo, the opening of this beautiful gate represents the beginning of a new life so immortalised as the memories will forever be etched on the hearts and minds of all generations of learners and guardians who will walk through the gate.


"Naturally therefore, his untimely death represents a shuttering of very vivid and valid hopes and dreams for you as parents," she continued.


Speaking at the same occcassion, Mrs Makamba revealed even though the weight of losing Zororo was still heavy on her, she only had one choice, to pick herself and soldier on.


"The sense of loss and disbelief still overwhelms me.We were each other's cheerleader. We have no choice but to soldier on..."

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