As you rest in peace Ndadi

KEABETSWE NEWEL
Correspondent | Tuesday November 16, 2010 00:00

 

Elias Ndadi passed away on July 9, after succumbing to a brain tumor. The death of Elias is said to have affected his mother Lehuma so badly that six months after the death of her son she died of a heart attack.

Those in attendance included the famous gospel artist Mmereki Marakakgoro, who sings soothing melodies that praise the Lord. The ward kgosi as well as the Tutume central councillor Moseki Mathodi were also present.

After the pastors had blessed the day, family members approached the graves of the late Elias Ndadi and grandmother Ndadi. To the sound of melodious singing, the Ndadi siblings, slowly uncovered the tombstones to reveal black marble stones that were connected together with a black tile; photographs of the dead, professionally pasted on the stones.

'I represent the 24 grandchildren of our late grandmother. She managed to bring us up very well although she drank Chibuku as you can see I am a well-groomed man standing before you, and I am proud of her,' said Wonderful Ndadi. He said that they saved this day to evoke memories and the happiness they shared with the late duo.

Gabobabe Ndadi, widow of Elias expressed pride in her late husband and said he had left her with everything she needed. 'When he died, he said that he leaves me in the hands of God and our children. I am happy as you can all see,' she concluded.

The Ndadi first born, who is also the Director of Botswana Network on Ethics Law and Aids (BONELA) Uyapo Ndadi, in his speech said: 'My late father groomed me to be a man in many ways. He taught me patience, handling things step by step which to me was a blessing,' he said.

He described his late father as a loving man, and said that he follows in his footsteps.

'My late father was also a hard worker; you can look around and see the property he left behind. My life is flowing, not because I am lucky, but it is because of my late father who taught me ways of succeeding in life,' he said.

He revealed that in honour of his father the price that he was awarded in Japan would be named 'Elias Gobe Ndadi'.

'I flew over mountains and rivers to be awarded a price that shows my competence in speaking on behalf of people whom others despise. I was among 10 people worldwide and two people in Africa who got this prize. It shows I have the world in my hands and that is all thanks to my late father,' He said.

According to Ndadi, his late father was an outstanding civil servant who served in the Ministry of Agriculture and headed several stations around the country and the veterinary services'. He said his late father was committed to grooming him, never shying away from delegating to him responsibilities and empowering him at a tender age.

'My late father had wanted to be a lawyer but failed because of not-so good results at school. God however knew that I would live his dream, he died a proud man as he knew that his legacy is in capable hands,' Ndadi said.He said that his father left behind five children.

'Parents, love your children and bring them up well so that tomorrow they can do wonders for you, even after your death.

I did what I did with my siblings to show utmost appreciation to the sleeping giant in my father, not out of compulsion but out of a deep and undying love for him,' Ndadi revealed.

Councillor Mathodi also urged people to follow in the footsteps of the late Ndadi saying that he managed to raise a child that now uplifts the status of the whole nation and not only the Ndadi name.

He also applauded the family for honouring their late father and grandmother, saying that they are looking down on them with pride.