By Dalitso Phiri
Dearest COL Galamukani,
It’s been 7 days now since your demise. I have been trying to find the right words to use to pay a solemn tribute to you and I recognized that words could never be enough.
I was given a high level consultancy assignment under Deep Innovate which you and I were supposed to co-undertake in Siavonga a day before your demise with the Kabwe City Council. The Council was embarking on some major projects in 2023. I was entrusted with the task of facilitating Strategy Formulation through Business Development. Yours was to handle Organizational Development and Motivation.
It was an exciting task. I was supposed to drive you to Siavonga and back!
On Sunday, the 22nd Jan, 2 days days prior to your passing, I came to your house to ask if you were game for the trip. I came straight to your room as always. I found Luteheart (Mrs Banda), your wife as I fondly called her massaging you. I could tell you were in pain.
“Galamukani, tizayenda mailo mwati?” was the question I had asked with positive hopes. You responded affirmatively as always. I still felt you wanted to make me feel good you would be travelling and I knew that telling me you wouldn’t manage would make me feel so bad.
I got a call from Luteheart at 10pm later in the night telling me you wouldn’t manage to travel. I understood, but I had to contend with driving all by myself to Siavonga.
I made an apology to the Kabwe City Council Technical Project Team that you wouldn’t be available owing to your health complications and that I would deliver both my presentation and yours.
They loved the presentations and by the way, they would love to engage Deep Innovate again in their project implementation process too! 😄
When I learnt of your passing at 4.30am on Monday the 23rd Jan in the morning after a call from Luteheart, I shuddered. I couldn’t grabble with the fact that I had to eventually come to terms with your non-existence. I sobbed. I hadn’t been hit with the news of death in a long time much more than I had been hit by yours.
In February of 2020, a month after my return from the Eastern Province to pursue my consulting career, I needed a launch pad. I visited your home in Nyumbayanga when I learnt of your illness. I basically came to see how you were doing. We chatted for several hours as though we were best of friends. I had known you though for several years prior as we congregated together, but our 1st ‘real’ chat was this one when I came to your home.
I told you about how I resigned from work to pursue a career in Business Development Consulting. You told me about how your last 4 to 6 months were idle due to your ailing heath condition. You told me about how you desired to mentor people in what you referred to as the 6 essential areas of a person’s development : Financial Management & Investments, Social Capital, Family, Health, Wealth and Spirituality.
You were passionate about this. I understood your vision.
Being a social media expert, we discussed around how you could disseminate your message massively. We had a lot of scripting & video shooting to do. I had to buy into your vision. The response was overwhelming! Lots of people came on board your mentorship classes. I was super excited.
I stayed in Woodlands at the time, 20mins away from your place. I didn’t drive at the time. I passionately walked to and from your house every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday consistently for 10 months to facilitate your mentorship classes. Sometimes, I would leave your home at 10pm in the night and walk back home replaying the mentorship class video we had just recorded. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly how you thought to ensure I was effective in managing your work.
Each time I came, I had dinner. You emphasized I never went back home without eating. “Daliboy, dyelatu unkale na energy popaya tunyelele munjila umu”😂😂. Very funny to say the least.
You asked me to escort you to your events and clients and document your program facilitations. I enjoyed this part of my assignment. I loved and appreciated how you introduced me to your clique of associations each time. I got exposed. Highly exposed for that matter.
You introduced me to Counsel Richard Jere, Dr Rozious Siatwambo , Engwase Mwale (CEO, FSD Zambia) and countless others that I eventually got to do business with in the process.
I borrowed your car multiple times for my personal errands. I enjoyed your Ford and Allion. I borrowed money from you when I needed it. But most times, you sent me money when I didn’t even expect it!
“Pelekako girlfriend waako out! Nakutumila 1pn!” We would often joke about it 😆😆
You opened doors for me unimaginably. I basked in your reflected glory.
You involved me in 70% of your projects for my input. I came home. We discussed at length. We brainstormed. We strategized. Some things went well. Some didn’t.
You called me nearly everyday at 7am in the morning to simply say “Goodmorning Daliboy!” in a very commanding voice as though you were 100% okey!
You encouraged me to be assertive and speak with energy all the time. I learnt that early enough in our first meetings.
I draw so many lessons from you. Just so many.
I will forever cherish our moments and endeavor to keep your legacy alive!
Till we meet again COL Galamukani !
Zilikufamba Stereki!✊✊