Hon. Ebenezer Namata Ewanga

My first year at the University of Buea(UB,UniBu) Daddy stopped by at my mini cite. He was on his way down from Yaounde and he dropped by before going to Limbe. This was the first time he drank beer with me. I got him a Tuborg and I had a Mutzig. We talked about work, family, school and other things. His visit was very meaningful to me. Not just the fact that it was a surprise or he spent the evening with me but because he worries, concerns and love for me was brought into light during this visit. We normally had short talks but not one like this.
The next time we had such a talk again was when he visited Minnesota, USA and I spent a night with him at the hotel. I know I would have loved many more intense conversations like this but we all know Daddy was always travelling or conducting some work or family business at his home office. Besides, if we had alot of this conversations I would not treasure these few as I do now. Thanks Dad for the meaningful conversations we shared. Love you always.

I am the woman I am today because of  the values I got from my parents. Daddy would say, Iya if you know the basic PRINCIPLES and  FUNDAMENTALS of any  subject or issue,life obstacles will be a breeze. I remember having  a hard time with physics when I was in form four in Saker. I bearly passed with a "C" grade. That Summer holiday, my mother suggested I ask Daddy to help me with the subject. When I approached my Dad with the issue, his response and excitment to help me through this class was amazing. And so, it was three hours of work every day he was home and lots of home work when he was out on business. We spent more time mastering the principles and fundamentals, than we spent on the rest of the chapter. I applied this process to all my classes and everything just fell into place. When I returned to school that Fall, I loved going to  my Physics class and my grades changed for the best. In other words, "I was kicking butt".

Life wasn't especially easy when I came to the United States.I was faced with alot of obstacles that wanted to make me quit. But I always asked myself, What will daddy do in this situation? Then I will remember what he had taught me. I will stand up with a smile on my face and deal with the issue head on. My father was a very hard working man who was full of love and life and I hope this legacy of his, leaves in me forever. Daddy, I love you and I know you are with our God almighty watching and guiding us all. Soooo many memories but will revel them as time goes by. 

My Dad was a very friendly, kind hearted, humbled and a gentle soul which made him very well known. He helped alot of people through out his life and all you needed was just the passion  and dedication towards your goal.
He had many Aliases: Big Daddy, Bond, Terminator, Ben, Uncle Ben, Monsieur Le Depute and of recent "Last man still standing" (Because most or all of his age mates had passed on). ...... You are not the Last man standing anymore but instead you are the last man to arrive at heavens door because of the love you HAVE for us. To me he was like the Lion king who protected everyone in this world which is like a jungle. You didn't need to be family or a native of Oroko, he helped when ever possible. He is my Indomitable Lion.

There were times when I heard my name "Nipanga" and my spirit will be lifted because something important or vital is needed of me. There are other times when I heard him call my first name"William" and I knew I was in trouble. I miss his voice.... just once more, for advise, information or to just call my names William or Nipanga.

I read this not to long ago on the Oroko Toronto forum and it has spoken to me during this difficult period. We have to take heart and it will take time.

Taking it one MINUTE at a time.

M....Memories you shared
I......Importance of his life to others
N....Not the years of his life but the life of his years that counted
U....Ultimately you will meet again
T....Time will heal the pain
E....Everyone will answer that call
(Thanks Mrs. R. Mambe)

One of the things that intrigued me about my Dad were the phrases he will use in different situations:
- When asked about his health - "I am here. I am still breathing and I thank God for my health"

- When he is mad - Stuttering, he ends the sentence in "Bloody fool, Bloody Hell!!"

- First time I asked him about sex(we were watching a James Bond movie) - He came up with "they are fighting".

- Music - He loved all. Old school, New School makossa, Disco, Swingdance, Pachanga, African(Franco & the OK Jazz Orchestra - Mario), Rock and Roll

- Sports(football) - A true Indomitable Lion at heart, Also adored the Samba boys(Brazil)

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.........Can't go on today. Will continued later.

"EBENEZER"  which means "up to here the Lord has helped you"

Today, it seems to me that the message is clear, that  although death is indiscriminate, it does come to us all. However, under what circumstances one dies makes a difference. A protracted illness prepares us for the inevitable. A known medical condition which refuses to respond to treatment becomes suspicious. In your own case, none of these happened. It came so sudden and its impact was devastating. Daddy, if tears could build a stair-way, and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. I will never forget that special smile, that caring heart, that warm embrace you gave me.

Throughout his life he was a symbol of selfless humanity. I learnt a lot from him during all these years and some of the values I uphold today like: hard work, responsibilty, sharing the little you have in a family with the less fortunate ones, dialogue, family communication, saving for a rainy day, good food, my love for all types of music and wine etc. were infused in me by Dad.

It is hard  for me to believe that I will never see you again or hear the usual call "EYIE ONGIE."  My darling  Dad, have no regrets, for you fought a good fight and won the race. Daddy I am proud to be your daughter and would never change you for all the fathers in the world. Go and rest now with God till we meet again. 

This is still a hard pill to swallow even after days of hearing of Uncle's passing unto Glory. Yes, he was an unlce who loved and disciplined as one's own Dad. No, not the type of discipline that most of our Moms would give (with the whip), but the type of discipline with soft words, a calm and understanding voice as he tired to understand what might be going through a 5, 6 or 7 years old head to make us do whatever it was we did. The type of discipline that made our Moms (Aunty Yvonne and my Mom) wonder if he was actually playing with us or "punishing" us for been "spoiled brats". That was the type of uncle he was.

Always with a smile on his face and a slight tilt of his head, you could easily spot Uncle Ben from a crowd of millions. In the days of Njangi night, we would watch as our parents and their friends would pop champagne and enjoy their Saturday evenings with good food, Makossa and Congo music. He would hold Aunty Yvonne and dance as if he was trying to impress and win her love for the first time as he danced with grace and ambiance in his every move and step. But, he never failed to come out to the kitchen, bedroom or garage where we would be sitting, playing games, coloring books or just watching the adults have a good time to make sure we were okay, had enough to eat and had enough "fanta" to drink.

In primary school, I remember sometimes when he would drop us (Sue, Ethel and myself) off at school or pick us up and we would be complaining of how some kids were mocking and making fun of us for wearing "socks" to school or having ribbons in our hair. And again, Uncle would say, "... you do not have to be sorry or feel bad for who you are, just lift up your heads and ignore them..." Then on a side note, he would say "... you girls know, all of that could be because they wished they were in your place...?". This would raise our spirits and make us feel better.

On his visits to SBC, he made sure he asked each one of us how we were doing with our school and grades. He never missed the opportunity to congratulate on our efforts and at the same time with a smile and tilt of his head, say "Dolly, you can do better and make sure you do cause I will ask Mommy...", Trust me, that sent me back to my books cause I knew, now I was not only accountable to my Mom and Dad, but to Uncle Ben as well. Aunty Yvonne teaching at SBC did not help the situation for us slacking off with our studies either cause all those we were accountable to would know how we were doing at school sometimes before are test papers were handed back to us. Bad for us then but on reflection now, good times !!

As we grew older, there was a slight drift as Uncle understand we were becoming young women and he did not have to over protect his little girls as he did when we were much younger. But he never failed to make sure whenever he saw us, those around would know that he is as much a Dad to us as our own biological Dads.

Uncle, some of us never had the opportunity to express our gratitude of who you were to us. I can say, your impact in many of our (children of your friends) lives is woven in the fabric of who we are today. Though as Christians we believe you are with your Heavenly Father, you will be missed each and every day. However, thanks for the good memories and the legacy you have left behind in your Wife, Aunty Yvonne and your Children.

Sleep well in the Lord. Jesus has paid the way for us all and we will all be united again on that final day. May the Heavens light up and may the angels smile with their heads tilted on one side as they welcome you home.