The best advice from my mother
Last week we celebrated Mother’s Day. While growing up, a mother imparts different things on a child including advice to help the child shape his or her life. Mwereti Kanjo spoke to some ladies on the best advice they have ever gotten from their mother.
Sally Kelly Ndovi: My mom’s advice is what I am today. She always said when I am doing something important, I must always keep it to myself until it is complete. She also told me to be picky with the people I want to trust. She said never to trust anyone, unless I am sure. One other thing that my mother always told me was to never say never because the future is much complicated.
My mother always reminded me to never trust or rely on a man. She brought me up into the independent woman. But most importantly she told me to trust in God and believe in myself.
Edith Nkhoma Namaria: My mother’s advice was short but precise. She always used to say life is what you make it!
Bertha Mzengo : Life is a jungle only the strongest survive!!
Thoko Wa Mphah Khumunye: My mother always said ‘kupatsa kumatidalitsa koposa kulandila’ that is to say giving is better than receiving and ooh yes! I always believe in giving than receiving.
Vera Ulemu Shaba: My mother used to say ‘limbikirani sukulu mwa bana bane, charo nimazgora chikazgora a Ghamphani pa Nkhamanga’ it is a Tumbuka saying, we never wanted to know what happened to Mr Ghamphani in Nkhamanga. All I got from that saying was that she wanted us to work hard in school whilst my mom and my dad were still strong and able to send us to school so that one day we should be able to stand on our two feet. Here I am today, now imparting the same message to my child.
We always had a maid in the house to help out with household chores. But she still made a roster for kitchen chores. I hated it and wondered why she employed her then. To show my disapproval, I never showed willingness to do the kukonola/kupeta and kuchigayo stuff. Each time I always said I was ‘sick’ and I got away with it as I was asthmatic. (Hahaha, I hope my mother does not read this).
She wanted us to look after ourselves and not depend on Anaphiri, Amele, Ajoni etc
Lusekelo Kayuni: My mum liked to say “Chalo nimazgola mwana wane †Sikaza kokha kaopa kulawula…†You can become what you want in life…The sky is the limit my dear daughter!
