Manda's 76th Birthday

Happy Birthday Manda, may the years to come be as good as it can get! When I wished him a happy birthday this morning, I said I hope the next 76 will be prosperous, he wittingly replied, no Madame, I want to live till I'm 160, not 152! He-he-he!!

Our gardener, Manda, was born in Malawi on 4th March 1933. He came to Zambia with his parents, as child and stayed in the Copperbelt Province. He went back to Malawi as teenager, met Merriam there, married her and returned to Zambia where their 6 children were born. They are from a tribe of very small people. All of them are about 5ft tall!

Manda and Merriam, with their son Enock, stay in the servant's quarters in our garden since we moved here four years ago. He is the most trustworthy, honest and reliable person, we respect him like a father and love him dearly!

They had six children, a daughter, then twin sons, grownups we never really got acquainted with, as they live in other cities. Then Margaret (25) who works as our junior house girl, to save money for further studies, she wants to be a nurse. Then Enock (20), presently a student at a local American University, where he studies IT, a four year full time degree, his studies funded mostly by R for the past 4 years. The last born is a girl, Helen (17).

You should see Manda climbing a tree to pick fruit. Few young men would be able to outdo him! He still mows the lawn weekly, plant veggies and sees to the general duties in the garden.

Diefenbaker, our Alsatian, is Manda's best friend!!