By Cuthbert Mashoko
Scores of people from all walks of life converged at Boniface Katambo homestead in Zendegwa village under Chief Charumbira to pay their last respects to Gogo Katambo nee Emmah Muzondo who passed away on 4 June and was laid to rest on 7 June.
She was 75.
Chief Mourner , HE President of the Pan African Parliament Chief Fortune Charumbira, described Gogo Katambo as an embodiment of African womanhood, who was not only a gift to the Katambo family but to the Charumbira community. “Despite my busy work schedule, l prioritized to be among this gathering, as we lay to rest an exemplary figure whose character shaped us and deserves to be admired ” said Chief Charumbira.
Chief Charumbira chronicled how Gogo Katambo and her late husband Boniface Katambo, a veteran teacher, whose English language proficiency earned him the title “moving dictionary” positively impacted Charumbira community.
“Boniface Katambo was a devoted catholic together with his wife, whose ethics and behavior l envied to the extent that l referred to Boniface as a Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church” said Chief Charumbira.
Chief Charumbira, in his sendoff speech, took time to advise couples in his community to live in harmony. “Boniface Katambo and his wife Emma Muzondo lived in harmony and loved each other. I urge couples in this community to plank a leaf from this couple. I am tired of couples who bring domestic violence cases at my court,” echoed Chief Charumbira.
Annatolia Katambo, the first born child of Boniface Katambo and Emmah Muzondo cherished her mother’s contribution towards the development of Charumbira area through leading several programs which empowered women.
“Despite our mother being a reserved figure, she was instrumental in championing development, l remember vividly that she was the tutor for the community adult school. This improved literacy rate in this area, since most of my mother’s students where adults who had missed formal education due to the liberation struggle,” narrated Annatolia.
Silvanos Nhariwa, a long time congregant of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Charumbira, took the audience down the memory lane as he shared how Boniface Katambo’s father, Patrick Katambo introduced the Catholic Church in Charumbira. “It is Boniface Katambo’s father, Patrick Katambo who introduced the Catholic Church here in Charumbira, hence it was named after him. A legacy which Boniface proudly carried after his father’s death. I challenge Boniface’s sons Patrick Junior, Christopher and Emmanuel to walk their father’s path” said the nonagenarian.
Gogo Katambo is survived with eight children and 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
