The most valuable lesson I learnt from my father

As we celebrate Father’s Day today, we ask a few women the most valuable lesson they learnt from their fathers.

Rosemary Kanyuka: Director of Public Prosecutions

He instilled in me hard work and focus. This is a cold wide wicked world and survival of the fittest is a way of life. Because of my father, I always take my work seriously. If there is a weakness at all, I would have to say kindness and a love for music.

 

Jessie Kabwila: Acting President Chancellor College Academic Staff Union

He taught me to value myself as a woman. My father never discriminated with the sexes. He trusted me with big projects. He always told me that I am just as capable as the next person regardless of gender. I love to debate and this is something that I also learnt from my father. Every night after dinner, he brought up a topic that we discussed at length and if I had an opposing view, he always encouraged me to stand my ground. My weakness is talking a lot. I am too open and this has often brought me trouble, especially in my line of work.

 

Suzgo Ngwira: President of National Women Football Committee

I am who I am today because of my father. He instilled in me hard work and taught me to take education seriously. I never saw any weaknesses from my father. He was the kind of man that brought out positivity in everything that he did.

 

Jane Ansah: Judge of Appeal

There are a lot of strengths that I got from my father. He was a hardworking man. I remember there was a time when he was sitting for his matrics in South Africa, equivalent to O-levels here. We used to watch him study and at the same time he encouraged us to study.  My father bought us books that featured the world’s most influential individuals such as Mahatma Gandhi and others. He valued spending time with us his children and I do the same with my children. My work keeps me busy but I set aside Sundays for them. We go to church in the morning and I spare my afternoons for them.

But most important, my father taught me respect for elders and authority. He always used to say when you grow up, even if you don’t like the person on the position, at least respect the position. This has helped me a lot in life.