Lucchese DeCavalcante
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 10, 2009
- 5,471
- 752
In 2004 I was doing my last year at the university of Dar es Salaam. It was during my time there when I created the strongest bonds of friendship and loyalty. Friendships that have made me and seen me to where I am today.
It all started like this. I found myself involved in University politics very early on. And I met Zitto Zuberi Kabwe. My friend and brother. He single handedly inspired me among others. We fought battles together. We schemed boycotts. We plastered walls with announcements urging fellows to boycott classes for more than one reason.
It is through Zitto that I joined Chadema. And he right away introduced me to Freeman Mbowe. The latter took me (and others) on. He had a vision. That it is the youth who will bring change. He encouraged us to take part in politics. I remember the meetings we had and the encouragement he was giving us. When I was rusticated for nine months for taking part in a boycott I went to work at the headquarters of Chadema and was appointed a Director of Constitution and Legal Affairs....I wasn't even 25 years old! (Later my rustication was uplifted and went back to finish my degree).
Then Freeman Mbowe (and Grace Kiwelu) introduced me to Dudley Mawalla. An architect. He became more of a father and friend. He allowed me to see a different world. The two (Freeman and Dudley) taught me special lessons by just being around them. I could see in them a friendship which has lasted decades. (Freeman named his firstborn Dudley).
Then in mid 2004 I assisted Dudley Mawalla in a legal problem that he had. He allowed me use his office at YMCA building in Dar. I decided to do the work with my best friend Lemmy Bartholomew. We wrote letters and acted 'lawyers' for Dudley Mawalla (we still hadn't finished university)
I had met Lemmy in 1997 when I joined Ilboru Secondary School. We have remained on each others side ever since.
While doing Dudley's work it happened that he had informed Nyaga Mawalla about it. He also informed him that we are helping him with preparing a defence. Nyaga decided that he wants to meet me.
An appointment was casually made and Nyaga came to Dar. We met at YMCA then went for lunch somewhere in town near the former Ilala RMs Court. We spoke about me joining him. I remember that I did refuse. I was still bitter for not been able to intern Mkono Advocates and my decision to intern in Court was out of disappointment. So I hated law firms.
But Nyaga insisted and we agreed to talk more some other time. One thing struck me during that meeting. He was talking to me like an equal and he was offering to work with me not for him.
At the end I agreed and made my trip to Arusha. But the understanding was I visit his law firm as a friend and talk a bit more. I stayed with him for three days.
Within those three days I got a brother and friend. I made up my mind.
I went back to Dar and parked. I got in my old beaten up BMW which I had bought for 1million and started my journey to Arusha.
Nyaga received me as a brother and friend. I had never worked in a law firm and was very new as a lawyer! But he made me an associate the very first day I arrived.
He taught me. He inspired me. He moulded me. He made me believe in myself. He opened the potential in me. He gave me a freedom to make mistakes and learn. He was there as a brother and friend.
We worked so hard to see Mawalla Advocates grow. We steadily succeeded. And all this time our bond grew stronger.
Me and Nyaga never signed anything as a contract. Never. He never asked for my CV or results!! He has never seen my University Certificate.
Along the way I didn't seem happy without Lemmy. We hatched a plan to lure Lemmy from the University of Dar where he was teaching. We worked hard and at the end Lemmy joined us. A team was formed. Friendship was sealed.
I have never experienced so much love and respect in my life as I did from Nyaga. He assisted me to be who I am as a lawyer and person. With all my weaknesses he supported me without any reservations. Bad things were said about us but we protected each other!
Now he has passed on. his lessons remain. He has taught me the deeper meaning of friendship and loyalty. Uberrimae Fidei...outmost good faith....His favorite saying!
When I look back I see a pattern. I see the role friendship has played a part in my life.
The people who have entered into my life and added value unto it are many. And most of them are reading this now. Everyone has played a part. I am grateful and feel blessed.
Nyaga's life was a blessing. May our good Lord grant him eternal peace. May he forgive him his sins and give him a seat in his Kingdom.
I will always strive to keep his dreams alive. His legacy must survive his passing on.
I will forever love you brother Nyaga. Wherever you are I will always remember you. The tears I am shading are a symbol of fluidity of life but the resolution in me solidifies a friendship that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my brother.
Msando Albert.
It all started like this. I found myself involved in University politics very early on. And I met Zitto Zuberi Kabwe. My friend and brother. He single handedly inspired me among others. We fought battles together. We schemed boycotts. We plastered walls with announcements urging fellows to boycott classes for more than one reason.
It is through Zitto that I joined Chadema. And he right away introduced me to Freeman Mbowe. The latter took me (and others) on. He had a vision. That it is the youth who will bring change. He encouraged us to take part in politics. I remember the meetings we had and the encouragement he was giving us. When I was rusticated for nine months for taking part in a boycott I went to work at the headquarters of Chadema and was appointed a Director of Constitution and Legal Affairs....I wasn't even 25 years old! (Later my rustication was uplifted and went back to finish my degree).
Then Freeman Mbowe (and Grace Kiwelu) introduced me to Dudley Mawalla. An architect. He became more of a father and friend. He allowed me to see a different world. The two (Freeman and Dudley) taught me special lessons by just being around them. I could see in them a friendship which has lasted decades. (Freeman named his firstborn Dudley).
Then in mid 2004 I assisted Dudley Mawalla in a legal problem that he had. He allowed me use his office at YMCA building in Dar. I decided to do the work with my best friend Lemmy Bartholomew. We wrote letters and acted 'lawyers' for Dudley Mawalla (we still hadn't finished university)
I had met Lemmy in 1997 when I joined Ilboru Secondary School. We have remained on each others side ever since.
While doing Dudley's work it happened that he had informed Nyaga Mawalla about it. He also informed him that we are helping him with preparing a defence. Nyaga decided that he wants to meet me.
An appointment was casually made and Nyaga came to Dar. We met at YMCA then went for lunch somewhere in town near the former Ilala RMs Court. We spoke about me joining him. I remember that I did refuse. I was still bitter for not been able to intern Mkono Advocates and my decision to intern in Court was out of disappointment. So I hated law firms.
But Nyaga insisted and we agreed to talk more some other time. One thing struck me during that meeting. He was talking to me like an equal and he was offering to work with me not for him.
At the end I agreed and made my trip to Arusha. But the understanding was I visit his law firm as a friend and talk a bit more. I stayed with him for three days.
Within those three days I got a brother and friend. I made up my mind.
I went back to Dar and parked. I got in my old beaten up BMW which I had bought for 1million and started my journey to Arusha.
Nyaga received me as a brother and friend. I had never worked in a law firm and was very new as a lawyer! But he made me an associate the very first day I arrived.
He taught me. He inspired me. He moulded me. He made me believe in myself. He opened the potential in me. He gave me a freedom to make mistakes and learn. He was there as a brother and friend.
We worked so hard to see Mawalla Advocates grow. We steadily succeeded. And all this time our bond grew stronger.
Me and Nyaga never signed anything as a contract. Never. He never asked for my CV or results!! He has never seen my University Certificate.
Along the way I didn't seem happy without Lemmy. We hatched a plan to lure Lemmy from the University of Dar where he was teaching. We worked hard and at the end Lemmy joined us. A team was formed. Friendship was sealed.
I have never experienced so much love and respect in my life as I did from Nyaga. He assisted me to be who I am as a lawyer and person. With all my weaknesses he supported me without any reservations. Bad things were said about us but we protected each other!
Now he has passed on. his lessons remain. He has taught me the deeper meaning of friendship and loyalty. Uberrimae Fidei...outmost good faith....His favorite saying!
When I look back I see a pattern. I see the role friendship has played a part in my life.
The people who have entered into my life and added value unto it are many. And most of them are reading this now. Everyone has played a part. I am grateful and feel blessed.
Nyaga's life was a blessing. May our good Lord grant him eternal peace. May he forgive him his sins and give him a seat in his Kingdom.
I will always strive to keep his dreams alive. His legacy must survive his passing on.
I will forever love you brother Nyaga. Wherever you are I will always remember you. The tears I am shading are a symbol of fluidity of life but the resolution in me solidifies a friendship that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my brother.
Msando Albert.
