A ditty for Sauka
Malawi on Thursday woke to the sad news that Beatrice Sauka, the widow of the composer of the Malawi National Anthem had died in Balaka. Her husband, Michael Frederick Paul Sauka was born in 1934 and he was 29 when he composed O God Bless Malawi, which was adopted as our national anthem when we attained independence on July 6 1964. The song is hymn number 376 in the Hymns for Malawi.
In History of Malawi, DD Phiri recounts that Sauka’s composition was among about a 100 others that entered a contest for the solemn hymn, carting home a 100-pound Sterling cash prize. The historian notes that Sauka was the organist at the Zomba Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church, who learned basic music at the Nankhunda Seminary in the district.
Reports are rife that Sauka died a pauper in 1990. This even became clear last year when one of the composer’s nephews, Francis, came out in the open to say Malawians should stop using the National Anthem because his descendants are wallowing in poverty.
At the time, according to a Zodiak Broadcasting Station report, monuments and culture director Lovemore Mazibuko urged the relatives to be patient as government was in the process of developing guidelines to honour fallen heroes. He also said government was in the process of identifying the space for a Hero’s Acre.
From the wording in Banda’s message, it is evident the Tonse Alliance-led government, like all other previous regimes, had forgotten about Sauka. That is why the revered music icon ends the announcement with: “We thank [the President] for the financial held rendered to the family during this sad time”.
It is no wonder that some commented that it is unfortunate that even the composer’s wife was living a life just like any other ordinary senior citizen.
That Sauka’s song was prophetic goes beyond doubt. In it he encapsulates the Malawian ethos and pathos. The enemies he saw in 1964 have still not been dealt with: Hunger, disease and envy. He prayed for a peaceful and united nation. Whether that dream has come true, it is up to each one of us to reflect.
President Lazarus Chakwera has brought with him the notion that all three verses to be sang. These go further to define Malawi’s beauty and great physical features.
It is, therefore, a shame that none of the administrations have attempted to recognise with tangible material the contributions of people like Sauka. Not long ago, we heard victims of the 1959 State of Emmergency echoing the same sentiments, that they were forgotten. It makes little sense each year to sing the same old song that there is no greater love than this, than for one to die for his loved ones, yet all we do is lay wreaths for them.
Talk about a Hero’s Acre, that is a long overdue project. Why should those interested in the history of the republic go the length and breadth of the country to see where the great men and women are interred.
But then, this is all a fruitless endeavour. We love losing history. Where, by the way, is the Land Rover Kamuzu Banda used when he first arrived at Chileka Airport. Bob Marley’s home is a museum somewhere in Kingston Town and some of the cars he used are part of an international tourism attraction. Nelson Mandela’s home in Soweto, South Africa attracts visitors everyday.
We love losing history. Kamuzu’s first clinic at Giannakis in Limbe is now a non-descript store.
We sing a ditty, a solemn song, for Sauka.n
