Page 32 - Number 2 2021 Volume 74

20 The Society of Malaŵi Journal

How can I surpass what Peter Makossah so eloquently wrote? I loved
reading his tribute to her…and yet he had not even met her but had followed her
career. He described her as “The Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma…a powerful
phenomenal woman with talents in abundance”. The tragedy noted by another
commentator is the tragedy of Malawi in neglecting and honouring people whilst
they are still living. She received a posthumous award “Lifetime Achiever Award
2021” from the MISA Malawi Annual Media Award. She was modest in her
achievements. She was humble in the lessons she taught and all that she gave. She
did not network to progress her career or make more money. She gave so much
but she had very little in return if you perhaps define success with financial
recompense.
I remember many years ago, she received a journalism award whilst
working at Channel Africa. She was profoundly proud of this award. She was
proud too of the fact that when she worked at MBC President Hastings Banda
would listen to her (a woman, female, mother…not a man!!) reading the news
because she was so particular and eloquent. How many debates did we have over
her irritation with colleagues saying (skedool/shedool (schedule) …her preference
was British …shedool because that was the correct way of pronouncing the word
after all!
The thing is…I suppose when you have a “celebrity” parent they are just
your parent, really. I do not recall thinking …my mother is such a famous and
highly respected musician or journalist. My relationship with her was that of
mother/grandmother and daughter.
When her father was appointed to a diplomatic post in Kenya – he took
her with him. She would have been around 14/15 years old. She spoke of her time
in Kenya quite fondly as she went to an international school there. I do not recall
meeting my grandfather and I know very little about him other than that he was a
very resilient character in the midst of some difficult political turmoil in Malawi.
I feel that this resilience was a character trait he gave to my mother which was to
carry her through the rest of her life. She faced many obstacles and struggles
which she had to overcome.
My memory...when I was very young – my brother Miko and I would
have been maybe 2 or 3 years old, I remember that my mother was not there some
nights and recall conversations about Mount Soche Hotel. So, I knew she sang but
did not know much more. At that age – you are really only concerned with eating
and playing after all.
…Then I do recall Muzipasi, True Tones, Love Aquarius and if I think
hard I can see some of the faces too – they were faces that I saw around even after
my Mother stopped singing with them. In this photo with the shining satin pink
suits – the group looks like they are having great fun. I see John Longwe, Isaac
Mkukupha, Bright Nkhata. Other names I recall not present in this photo