Joseph Mungwa Nkwenti - Online Memorial Website

As we celebrate this third week of Advent, my mind is flooded with Christmas memories from my childhood. You were a constant presence before you got married and started a family of your own. You will show up with your white Renault 6 after church on Christmas day and we all had lunch at Azire. Then we will all pile in the car - I have no idea how we all fitted in the car but we did and head on to Bawum Bafut to celebrate with family and then pile in the car again and head off to Bambwi to celebrate with Pa Mathy of late and Family and return home in the early hours the next day. We never knew when you will show up but we knew you will be there for all the holidays all the way from Buea. RIP my beloved Uncle. Until we meet again.

 Tah Joe, its been ten years since we laid you to rest.The memories are still very fresh. The numerous testimonies we read when we visit this site do not begin to tell the  story of your contributions to humanity. You left behind a void that con not be filled. There is no substitute to the type of greatness you exercised. You will always be missed by those you touched. I will not say goodbye, but good day because your spirit lives on.

Pa Joe has a lot to make us smile about and let's keep those in mind instead. Of course the questions he would have answered remain hanging and the wise counsel he would offer is gone. This teaches us to grow up and maybe grow old. That is God's will, that we start using our own spines when these pillars upon which we leaned for so long are taken from us. We have the memories to cherish still. Till me meet again at that place where there is life and joy.

In January 1962, a number of us from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds met in Form 1 in Sacred Heart College Mankon.  Amongst us was a quiet black boy who for five years had a consistent character unknown to any of us.  He earned no nicknames as most of us did.  Yet he appeared to be very purposeful in everything he did.  He called everyone his brother until we parted in 1966.

Little did we know Joe shall be a great leader in society.  He later became the third principal of GBHS Bamenda and also held several positions of responsibilities in Bilingual Grammer School Molyko in Buea, Government High School Bangante, and the Regional Delegation of Education in Buea.  We heard that as principal, he became the father of colleagues and students.  His patience to listen to everyone and work with everyone to solve problems was unlimited.  He paid particular attention to SHESANs and his classmates without disadvantaging others.  Little did we know that on retirement, he would play an important role of mobilizing, uniting and coordinating his classmates.

In less than 2 years, Joe was able to mobilize rather dispersed and non-ethusiastic classmates into a formal functioning group.  He regularly convened us by his SMS messages and calls at his cost.  Whenever we met, he was always ready to offer one for the road or additional sticks of sawyer.  He managed our financial contributions irreproachably and maintained our contacts and relationships with SAHECO, Pioneer class of SHC, and SHESA organs at different levels.  Joe was our book keeper and archives.

We are lucky that Joe hosted our class meeting in November 2010 before he was sadly taken away in such a tragic accident on December 9, 2010.  We hate the way Joe died and pray it should not happen to any of us like this.  We find it difficult to replace Joseph Ngwa Nkwenti.  We can imagine how his family and the community miss him.  We deeply share in your grieve.  Joe is the 22nd of our classmates to pass away.  We do not know who will be next.  Joe, even though we cannot replace you, we promise to continue and finish all that you initiated until the last of us shall follow you. 

All we can say to you Joe is Until we meet again!  May your soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Mungwa, you have always been a role model to all my children. I shall always remember your generousity, respect, kindness, cheerfulness and love for family; because when i held your hand, you held those of your siblings and extended that not only to my children, but to every child who crossed your path. Your interest in the education of other children has been remarkable, especially those from low income families. Your outstanding organizational skills, and spirit of bringing people together will be greatly missed, because of your contributions to peace, love and togetherness. Your selflessness was shown when you had your first car and you went through bad roads not worrying about your car but the fact that you now had a means to reach every member of your family and friends you loved so dearly. May this spirit live in your children and grandchildren. Rest in peace my son.