About
The 29th of August 1941 was the momentous day that the Lord brought a child of true light into this world, Hope Mwansa (Makulu) Banda. She would spend the better part of the next 60 years impacting the lives of many in her unique, self-assured and understated way.
KIND
Her kindness was legendary…her home was always open, as was her heart. Her home was a revolving door of friends, family and even strangers seeking comfort, counsel, affection and sometimes a meal…none were ever turned away! Whether it was a stranger from Buya’s Munali constituency looking for help to bury a loved one or to send a child to school, or a relative going through a tough time, Hope would always oblige…first with a meal and then with whatever she was able to put together…and often topped off with a care package of some food and clothes. She truly lived by the maxim “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)
GLUE
The family was everything to her and she did everything she could to show love and support to her family and to keep the many branches of it united. In sickness and in health she always made sure to keep in touch with family no matter how near or far and no matter how close or distant the relationship…and she made it a point for her children to know and embrace family too. She was a common strand in many relationships and was truly the GLUE that bound so many of us together.
SELFLESS
Hope always put the welfare of others before her own…she was, in all senses of the word, selfless. She always sacrificed so that others could have. As she waged her valiant battle with cancer and realized that she did not have much time left on this earth her thoughts turned from her own pain and suffering to the trials and tribulations of those that she would leave behind…what would become of her beloved husband? How would her sons and daughters cope…who would help to raise her grandchildren? Who would be there to support her brother and sisters...these were the thoughts that occupied her last moments on earth and superseded the anguish of her debilitating illness.
FUNNY & FUN
We grew up in a joyful home with plenty of fun and laughter, and much of it from Hope. She had a cheeky sense of humour and a mischievous streak that included the expropriation of exotic plants from botanical gardens to be transplanted in her garden. She was also often at the centre of banter about our choices of girlfriends and our ensuing heartbreaks.
FRANK
I use frank as a euphemism for brutally honest. In her demonstration of love, Hope had no qualms about advising you to take a bath, have a mint or brush your teeth…gifts often included hygiene kits and guidance on how they should be used…all in the name of love. I am sure many of you can attest to this unique quality of hers.
STRICT
For all the sweetness that she was, one can not forget that she was a strict disciplinarian…punishment was both verbal and corporal! Hope was the enforcer in the house and did the job effectively…in my nearly 50 years on this earth Dad has never laid a hand on me…the same can not be said for Hope…we often pushed her buttons and provoked her and always came away second best SHE WAS TOUGH!
Hope was so many things, and so many things to so many people and I could go on ad infinitum but in a nutshell, I just wanted those who did not get the very rare honour and privilege of meeting her to get a tiny glimpse of what they missed out on.
We were truly blessed to have you in our lives until that dreadful day on the 11th of October 2000 when the Lord called you to his side.
We shall forever hold you dear in our memory.
- Dingani R Banda
