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Big brains from Chongo
By
Michael Mmeya - 22-04-2002 |
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At the recent Mzuzu University congregation, the second since inception, a lady graduate stole the show by attaining a First Class Bachelors Degree in Health Education. Fascinating. So too fascinating is her academic story which begins with a headmaster not keen on enrolling her in Standard One. Michael Mmeya writes:
Who are you the headmaster who headed Zomba CCAP primary school in 1980? Wherever you are, call to mind that October Monday morning when you were reluctant to enrol that girl-child because she couldn’t bend her right hand round the head to her left ear? You need to be reminded about her because she is the lady who has shaken the academic fraternity in Malawi and beyond by obtaining a First Class Bachelors Degree in Health Education at Mzuzu University recently.
The girl the headmaster in question is being reminded about is none other than Mary Tresca Kandikole—now married to Frank Mpinda—hence the name Mary Tresca Kandikole-Mpinda.
“I remember failing to stretch my right hand above the head to touch my left ear [the criteria used to admit primary school beginners then]. Because of that the headmaster enrolled me reluctantly,” she recalled in an interview recently.
Another person who vividly comes into Kandikole-Mpinda’s mind, as regards her early education at Zomba CCAP school is one Everlyn Chipatso—a friend of hers—whose whereabouts she lost long time ago.
“I can’t trace her, but we were such good friends,” she said about Everlyn, who used to write and draw class work for her. Mary paid her in kind—a share of what her mum prepared for her to eat at school.
After Standard One playful Mary was transferred to Bwaila primary school in Zomba, where at the end of first term she recalls to have received some good beating from her mother, for being No. 56.
“The following term I improved my grade by four, but that didn’t spare me the beating,” she said. And she was all smiles as she said that from 52, she clinched position 2 and “received presents, instead”.
Youthful Mary later enrolled in Standard 3 at Namadzi primary school [also in Zomba], where she was to be up to Standard 7. Thereafter, she was the centre of attraction at Masongola primary school in Namwera, Mangochi, where she gave classmates sleepless nights.
But at the end of the year Mary’s name was nowhere on the selection list. However, the gossip about her was short-lived because a week after the release of the second selection, she was going down the Namwera hills—on her way to Masongola Secondary School to start Form One.
“It was difficult joining my friends in the second term, but I made it,” said Kandikole-Mpinda, who hails from Chongo village in T/A Chikowi, Zomba. True to her fears, at the end of the term she was No. 16. But that wasn’t bad, was it? Not at all, especially when you come to hear that at that position she was the first among girls. From then on it was survival of the fittest for the boys, because while she maintained her first among girls, she could be anywhere between 1 and 9.
Her energies reaped a basketful of 20 points—with a sparkling 2 in Agriculture. With 20 points she secured herself a place at Kamuzu College of Nursing for a four-year Diploma in Nursing and University Certificate in Mid-wifery. But if it weren’t for her mother’s encouragement, Mary would have abandoned nursing for a course in accountancy.
“In my secondary school days I had wanted to be an accountant, because I envied bankers, who I believed were the cream of mathematicians,” she said, further disclosing that her mentor in the health profession is Dr. Elizabeth Eta Banda, once principal of Kamuzu College Nursing.
“Her hardworking spirit fuels my zeal, especially when you consider that she started with a mere certificate and today she has risen that far,” she said. With that drive and determination Mary attained her Diploma in Nursing with distinction.
Soon thereafter she had an opportunity to live in the vicinity of the historic slave trading market when she secured a job at St. Anne’s Mission Hospital in Nkhotakota, where she only worked for ten months.
“I liked the place but the hot climate was unfavourable to me,” she said. So she resigned to join Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Lilongwe, but four months later so her resigning yet again, this time in search of further studies.
“I saw bright future [as regards further studies] in the government,” she said about her engagement as a civil servant at Mulanje District Hospital from January 8, 1998.
It was while serving there that she picked the key to her recent academic achievement. It all started with her participation in a 4-week long Clinical Instructors Course [from August 29, 1999) which was organised by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Mzuzu University. There she excelled highly and was probably the reason why the university did not hesitate to admit her when she applied for a course in health education.
Ironically, the Mzuzu University genius owes it all to the man of her life—Frank Mpinda, a clinical officer who works for Escom.
“He is such an understanding man. I wonder how many men could allow their spouse to leave for a two-year residential course 3 months after their wedding?” she asked appreciatively.
Mary and Frank, who are both Catholic faithfuls, tied the knot at Zomba Cathedral on October 2, 1999. Instead of a deserved honeymoon the two busied themselves with preparations for Mary’s further education.
Kandikole-Mpinda whose simple looks conceal what she is capable of doing with books has strong affection for those still in school, “especially the girl-child”.
“There is a general belief that girls cannot excel against boys. This is untrue. I believe with determination and a competitive spirit girls too can do well,” she advised, meekly citing herself as an example.
To Kandikole-Mpinda, that graduation day [April 6, 2002] shall remain the happiest moment in her life, “coming second to my wedding day”.
But life has not been all rosy for her.
“I have sad memories of February 4 this year, when I lost my beloved brother Geoffrey,” she said with pain registering on her face.
Busy as her profession demands of her one wonders how she reconciles her work, love for books and family chores?
“It all hinges on proper time management,” she said stealing a glance at a pile of books on her study table. I regretted wasting her time, which I thought she needed most.
The lady who is particular about her dressing says she prefers to dress decently and has a strong dislike for mini-skirts. But she has a strong liking for national dressing.
“Outside work I dress to fit the occasion. Unless otherwise, I try to avoid casual dressing for work,” she said. However, on this Wednesday when I interviewed her she had gone to her part-time job at the Blantyre School for Health Sciences donning a national wear because robbers had denied her sleep the previous night. [Thank God they did not break into anyone’s house in the compound].
“I woke up late and had no time to do my hair. I took advantage of my national dress head gear to cover my hair,” she explained.
She wound up our chat with words of thanks to, among others, the State President, the Vice Chancellor and Blantyre Print and Packaging.
“I thank them for the precious presents they gave me,” she said.
But is that all?
“Not at all. I can’t forget to extend my love to my dear husband. He is a man at the centre of my life,” she said with a loving giggle.
To the Mzuzu University genius, who will soon be returning to her post at Mulanje District Hospital, the sky is the limit and she eyes a Masters in the nearest possible future.
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