INTERVIEW WITH MALAWI'S OFFICIAL HOSTESS TO THE FIRST PRESIDENT DR. HASTINGS KAMUZU BANDA-MAMA CECILIA TAMANDA KADZAMIRA,by Albert Sharra-1st April 2011
Mama
Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira
"Live
life and leave your footprints"
Mama
gives back (Tabulated)
Mama has
been involved in the following charity projects starting from the 1970s
1. Official Hostess to the
Malawi Government for 31 years and Nurse for 39 years
2. Co-founder and Honorary Life member of Malawi Against Polio
(MAP) now named Malawi Against Disabilities from 1970’s
3. Co-founder and member of the Malawi Orthopaedic Assistants
Project led by Dr Blair from 1980.
4. Trustee and Board member of the Kamuzu Academy since 1979 to
date
5. Co-founder and member of Chitukuko Cha Amayi M’Malawi (CCAM)
from 1985.
6. Director of Blantyre Print and Publishing Company from
1977-1999
7. Presently founder and trustee of Dzidalire Community Development
Agency, a charitable organisation founded in 2007 to promote projects and
activities aimed at enhancing self reliance among girls, boys and women.
8. Trustee and Board member of Mtendere Orphanage since 2006
9. Involved in charity work as a member of the Women’s Guild at
Church.
Mama
Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira, Malawi’s official Hostess during the Kamuzu Banda
era, rarely grants interviews, now opens up to the Malawi media. In this
exclusive interview with ALBERT SHARRA, the elegant, beautiful, Women of
Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award recipient draws us into her world with
anecdotes of her childhood, her life as an official hostess, what she learnt
from Kamuzu Banda and her life after she left the State House, among others.
You were
recently awarded the first Women of Distinction (WODA) Life time achiever
award. How do you feel about this?
I feel
both honoured and humble. I have accepted this award with full commitment to
undertake specified activities that may help uplift girls and women in the
country. I would like to thank the first lady, Her Excellency Madam Callista
Mutharika, for championing the women of Distinction Awards initiative, the
sponsors for making WODA 2012 possible; the organisers and most of all, the
people of Malawi for nominating me Lifetime Achiever. I will cherish this
recognition forever. I am very excited, especially since I will be travelling
to Jerusalem soon on a raffle ticket offered by the Rotary Malawi as part of
the award.
What do
you think earned you the recognition?
Through
God’s grace, I have and continue to help others which inadvertently, has had an
impact on the lives of many. I think it is this giving hand coupled with my
efforts to transform the lives of the needy that has earned me the recognition.
Long after
you served as official hostess, Malawians still refer to you as Mama. How do
you feel?
The
title Mama was first used by the late Jomo Kenyatta, first president of Kenya,
in reference to me during one of Dr Banda’s historic visits to Kenya. It was
picked up and later given emphasis by his Excellency the Ngwazi Dr. Banda when
he conferred me the honour of the Order of the Lion of Malawi (OLM).Soon after,
Her Majesty Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
conferred on me the title of ‘Dame’. "Mama" stuck as the local
equivalent to these hourable titles.
How
would you describe yourself?
I am a
person who has maintained my own dignity and dignity of others in what I do and
in what I am involved in or I am part of. I believe in serving people with a
human touch and with intergrity, dedication, loyalty and commitment.
How did
you become an official hostess to the late Dr Kamuzu Banda?
When his
Excellency the late Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned home in 1958 to
lead his people to self government, he opened a surgery hospital in Limbe where
he continued with his medical practice. I was selected to provide nursing
services in the surgery. It was only later that I was appointed official
hostess. Honourable Ismael Surtee, then speaker of parliament in Zomba,
proposed that I become official hostess. The cabinet discussed and approved of
this. When this decision was announced, I was overwhelmed and felt greatly
honoured that government would entrust me with such a responsibility. I went to
state house in 1964.At the time, I was not even aware of what the job would
entail, but with guidance and direction, I learnt what was expected of me in
that capacity.
What is
the job of an official hostess entail?
In a
nutshell, an official hostess’s main roles are to primarily to provide
management oversight of State Residence. This involves coordination of some of
the roles to ensure that state house programmes and visits are organised at
high standards, arranging reception and hospitality needs of state house guest,
and so on.
Could
you elaborate on this?
As you
know, the head of state receives in audience at the state house all fellow
heads of state and heads of government visiting the country, high commissioners
and ambassadors who are presenting letter of Credence from their respective
governments as well high commissioners and ambassadors and other members of the
Diplomatic corps already accredited and serving in the country. As a head of
government, the president regularly meets teams of members of cabinet and their
Deputies, the judiciary, the house of parliament and the security services,
chief executives in private and parastatal sectors, traditional and religious
leaders, leaders of women, youth and civil society and nongovernmental organisations
and other interest groups, students, sports men, and women, members of the
press. We therefore had endless meetings which required meticulous planning and
coordination. We had equally numerous official engagements outside state house
and my task was enormous. Admittedly, the banquents and redecoration admittedly
are part of the job and took their toll on me, but at least I had people to
help me with organising them.
What is
life at state house like?
I am
sure most people would think that life at state house is heaven, but in fact it
was just normal. Pressures on your time and a big work load can make life quite
stressful. You need to be able to balance work and leisure. I did this by doing
a number of non official activities such as gardening, interior decoration,
teaching handicrafts and setting up basic lessons in home management for wives
of staff at the state house residences in Mzuzu, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Mangochi
and Blantyre. As it is said, once a nurse always a nurse, I had to be alert and
make myself available to staff working with within and outside the state house.
You have
wined and dined with some of the world’s greatest leaders and their first
ladies. What did you learn from this?
I am
blessed to have had that opportunity. If I might add, I also interacted with
kings and queens, princes and princesses. This is something I will cherish all
my life. I had to be self disciplined, attentive and observant. Interacting
with these people of distinction taught me etiquette, proper dress code, decorum,
table manners and many other things. I would encourage younger women to aim
high for the future and to be keen on education. They should not rush but
gradually move from the bottom going up. Young people should value interacting
and networking with people with distinction or their own role models.
Had you
not become an official hostess, what would you have wanted to become?
I would
have upgraded my nursing qualifications and study to become a Doctor in
Paediatrics.
You are
always smiling. What does this hypnotic smile of yours hold?
It has
been my nature since my childhood. I was brought up in a happy family. But
then, my job as well made me smile even more. Through it, I touch the people I
interact with. My smile depicts humility, receptivity and friendliness.
You have
been active during the pre-independence season. What important roles did you
play?
The
pre-independence years were a difficult time for everyone. Malawians looked to
their leaders in the then Nyasaland African Congress and its successor the Malawi
Congress Party to redeem us from British Colonialism and the Federation of
Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Some of us worked with these leaders and through
Nyasaland Africa Medical Organisation (NAMO) to which I was elected to serve on
the executive board. NAMO advocated for changes in the medical field and was
also interested in the political environment, but was abolished during the
state of emergency in 1959. Many of our members were arrested and imprisoned.
We were constantly under pressure because we did not want to bring harm to our
families and at the same time, we had to continue with the struggle for
independence.
Perhaps
the most important role that we played and would share with the nation is
"not to abandon our collective cause for freedom even in times of
tribulation." The Bible
tells us in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 16 "Let us be brave then, and approach
God’s throne where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace
to help us just when we need it"
You are
a role model to most girls in the country but have kept to yourself. Why is
this?
I am not
heard, yes, but I am felt. I touch but I do not speak. I touch the lives of
people I serve. These are the young girls or young people, women, the poor,
disabled and all vulnerable groups. I do not feel that it is necessary for me
to go on the podium to speak about my work. The impact of what I do says a lot
.Of course, I have plans to write my biography in good time but for now, I
would like to target the vulnerable and the voiceless. I touch them through
what I do. You have to live life and leave your footprints. I do this through
charity work.
Do you
have a different perspective about Malawi now that you are out of state House
and have to pretty much hustle like the rest of us?
Life at
state house was very protected and aside from the president, all the people I
met were state dignitaries, VIPs and mostly the people I closely worked with
and supervised on daily basis. That life comes with its hustles. But now as a
private citizen, I go everywhere, anywhere, anytime and meet with anybody,
anytime. The scope of contacts and interaction with family, friends and old and
new acquaintances has definitely brought a different life perspective, with its
hustles as well, but I live a normal life.
What
qualities do you reckon a ‘Mother of the Malawi Nation’ must have if they are
to survive the pressures of life in the political limelight?
A mother
of any nation should be presentable and command respect; should be disciplined,
God fearing, honourable in mannerisms and speak eloquently and with clarity. A
mother is supposed to be exemplary in everything she does including politics,
because she is a role model for the nation. As the Chichewa saying goes "make
mbuu, mwana mbuu" (Like mother, like daughter).This means that the
nation’s children will take after the mother’s character.
The late
Ngwazi Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda was a smart man as well and always so elegantly
dressed. Were you responsible for his Wardrobe?
No! The
Ngwazi himself, being as meticulous as he was, was responsible for his own
wardrobe. Sometimes, perhaps when pressed for time due for example to multiple
engagements, I or the Major Domo would only help in selecting but he knew
exactly how and what to dress in.
Is there
anything you remember that you had in common with the late Dr Banda?
One
thing I had in common with the late president was our medical background. This
was the common denominator. There was no such time that we would just chat. As
I mentioned earlier, life at state house was for work, attending to official
guests, ensuring that appointments are kept and ever always on time and so on
and there was no left time for a leisure chat. But then Dr. Banda inculcated in
me and indeed in those who worked for him, the attributes of hard work,
loyalty, obedience and self discipline and he desire for excellence in all you
do and the belief that in unity there is strength.
Dr Banda
was a man of discipline and class. What did you learn from him?
I learnt
self –discipline and class. I learnt to organise my work and manage my time. I
continue living a classy life, a disciplined life that has kept my stature to
date.
No doubt
your self esteem took a blow when you left the state House and Dr Banda died.
How do you snap back and get through it all?
I never
foresaw the future, which is the preserve of God. But yes, it was a blow to see
him pass. At the time of his death, the political environment was different
which affected my confidence level but as the saying goes "Time is the
greatest healer." I took on a low profile to let the tide pass. This does
not mean, however that I remained dormant. By the grace and promise of God as
well as family support, I was able to continue with my charity work and get
through it all. Significantly, there were church friends who consistently came
to pray with me, whose prayers and intercessions gave me the strength and
courage to carry on.
What do
you cherish much about your life? Are there any achievements that you value
most?
I
cherish most what God has done for me, without him I would not have achieved
anything in life. I cherish my family very much. I cherish the Christian up
bringing my parents gave me. I also cherish the fact that I served such a man
and leader as Ngwazi Dr. Banda. But in addition, I cherish most the impact my
work has done on the nation, especially on women and girls and people with
disabilities, through my work with MAP for the eradication of Polio in Malawi
which has transformed the lives of a number of people, some of them, the elderly
who could not walk with walking aids and wheelchairs. One young girl who became
disabled after giving birth and a clergy man who fell while preaching after
being attacked by stroke. Through Orthopaedic Assistants for every district in
Malawi, through CCAM which contributed greatly to the development of women as
human capital, some of whom as we speak are political leaders, government
ministers and principal secretaries. Now, I am working through the Dzidalire
charity organisation. These are achievements I value most.
I also
value the national awards I have received in recognition of my humble services
to this great nation. These are: The Order of the Lion of Malawi (OLM)
conferred on me by the first head of state Ngwazi Dr. H.K Banda, The Order of
the Malawi National Achiever (MNA) conferred on me by the current head of state
Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika in 2009,The Honorary Degree of Doctor of
Humanities (D. Hum) conferred on me by the University of Jerusalem in December
2011 and just recently the Lifetime Achiever under the Woman of Distinction.
How do
you look into the future?
I will
continue doing church and charity work now and in future, and God willing, I
will be writing my book to leave my legacy. I won’t say anything on dates but I
will do it.
What do
you like doing during your free time? What are your special interests?
I like
reading historical autobiographies, English Literature, current news, magazines
on home and gardening. My special interests are in interior decorations.
You have
travelled across the world. How many languages do you speak now?
I speak
Chichewa, my mother tongue. English and Shona fluently. But I also speak and
understand a little of Latin and Portuguese and i read and understand Greek and
French.
You
should have a role model. Who are they?
As a
Christian, I have two roles models from the Bible from whom I draw my
inspiration; Ruth and Esther who dropped everything and followed their calling
from God. But as a citizen, my role model is my late mother for the way she
lived her life and raised me and my family. Others whom I take as my role
models are Queen Sikirit of Thailand and Queen Elizabeth because of their
composure and presentability and their etiquette, beauty and royal stature.
Where
does the story of your life begin?
I was
born at Nkhoma in Lilongwe where my parents, the late Mr. Lameck Mishek
Kadzamira and Mai Milika Natembo Kadzamira were stationed at the mission of the
Dutch Reformed Church, now Nkhoma Synod of CCAP and where my father worked in
the Mission‘s Dispensary. There were nine of us in our family; five sisters and
four brothers. The eldest brother John Wycliffe Kadzamira who was the second
born in the family, passed on, so there are eight of us remaining now.
My
father left Malawi (then Nyasaland) for Southern Rhodesia(now) Zimbabwe in 1938
and my mother followed with three of us children in 1939.I was a mere toddler
then. I started school at the age of three from sub A through to standard 6.I
completed 10 years of school in High fields in Harare and then proceeded to do
a course in Midwifery at a Maternity Hospital at a place called Gomo (meaning
hill) in Harare. I returned to Nyasaland in 1955 and enrolled as a Trainee
Nurse at Zomba General Hospital.
How did
your parents mould you into what you are today?
Both my
parents just like more like their own respective parents, Mr Isake Kadzamira
senior, my paternal grandfather, and Reverend Zenus Ungapake Tembo, my maternal
grandfather, were strict disciplinarians and dedicated Christians. They put
emphasis on education and prayer, being charitable to others and attending
church without fail.
What are
your favourite foods, colours, music and art?
I enjoy Nkhwani wotendera and grilled Chambo. On colours, my
favourite colours are gold and Ceres Pink. In music, my best artists are the
late Jim Reeves on Oldies, the late Donald Kachamba on local tradition and
Ethel Kamwendo Banda on gospel. Handel’s The Messiah is my favourite song in
classical music and finally on art, I like any Picasso.
END
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