GONE NOT FORGOTTEN: “A twin, a sickle cell warrior…”
IT’S been one-year now since our beloved fellow twin, a sickle cell warrior and media personality passed away and we are missing her keenly more than ever because she has left a mark in our hearts especially in media fraternity.
We appreciate anew the greatness of her life, vision and achievement. And while the pain of her physical departure from us is still acute, her essence remains alive among us.
Even though death is inevitable and unacceptable, which always comes as an unwelcome surprise. Many, had not have a personal encounter with her but nevertheless she has left a footprint in our hearts. As Mitch Albom said; Death ends a life, not a relationship.
At 25, having devoted much of her life championing sickle cell anaemia with no expectation of reward beside a disorder that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down.
Unfortunately, this condition can't be cured but requires a medical diagnosis and treatments that include medication, blood transfusions and rarely a bone-marrow transplant.
However, it’s always a prayer for many, to live long and witness many years on earth. In a case of Suwilanji Hope Chella Hakanzaba partake a firm grip on the baton that moved and changed the masses for bringing issues to the forefront and challenging the public to face and correct society.
“I am a journalist because the world has stories that are moving, stories that will change lives. These stories need to be told with accuracy and fairness. I believe as a journalist we are here to educate the masses with information that will make them question, how we can make this world better.” She wrote on her Facebook page.
But how did Suwilanji solve the problems that we keep sweeping under the carpet? It was her resilience, courage, forgiveness, hope as her name, compassion and above all, the power to open up as a sicklier.
“We do not sugar coat, we don’t make the world negative, and we do not make seem perfect because the truth is the world will never be perfect. Our articles and interviews are mirrors of the world. We make the world look in the mirror and address their imperfections.” She said.
Indeed, it is ideal opportunity to relocate within ourselves the great lessons from her, when facing the most embittered issues by extending a hand, looking beyond the battlefield and rising above vengeance to a better ideal. For such a miracle come.
Suwilanji with her twin brother, Nkumbu Chella celebrated their 25th birthday on Saturday, February 23rd, 2019, following day she fallen sick in returning from church, thenceforth she was rushed to Hilltop hospital.
On Monday, February 25th, at University Teaching Hospital was pronounced died. Her memorial day is set on 29th February 2020 in Lusaka.
walu-B
Activist
Activist
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