Kende Mumuni: Widow, loving mother of great values

KENDE Mumuni, 57, is a widow and an amazing mother who sold fruits for more than 40 years to look after her children after their father passed on decades ago.

In a chat with The Mirror at the Ho Old-Zongo last Wednesday (May 10), she said it was not easy from the onset, but with determination, resilience and love for the children, she took a firm stance not to fall on any man to look after them.

“As a typical Zongo girl, I married young, and I was still a young woman when my husband died and so I knew the task of taking care of the children singlehandedly was going to be tough,” she said.

Kende, affectionately called by many as Tasi (meaning aunt), recalled how she had already acquired the skills of a saleswoman when she was a teenager at the middle school at Ho-Kpodzi.

“Usually, I carried the fruits on my head after school, in the evening, selling them as I walked about, sometimes with a hurricane lantern,” she recounted.

Tasi, who sells apples, avocado, citrus fruits, pineapples, melons, guavas, and bananas said the success of her petty business was based on honesty with her suppliers and the willpower to be a good and caring mother whose children did not starve.

“I go for the fruits on credit but I sell them in good time and pay my suppliers without delay. Based on that trust, the supplier gave me more fruits to sell, knowing I would pay them their money sooner than later,” she told The Mirror.

After that long struggle of motherhood, Tasi’s daughters are all doing well as adults.

The oldest, Salamatu, is a seamstress; the second, Farina offers catering services while the youngest, Sadia is a trader.

TM: So, how do you feel now?

Tasi: I look back and smile with joy because I have played my role as a loving mother.

TM: You still sell fruits?

Tasi: Yes. I always will as long as I have strength in me. It began as a humble attempt by a young widow to put food on the table for the fatherless children but the business grew from strength to strength. It also gave my children education, decent livelihoods and enabled me to put up a three-bedroom house at Sokode.

I will even expand the fruit business to astonishing heights with the least financial support.

Tasi, who now has 10 grandchildren, said the love of a mother for her children was a source of strength which could reveal many hidden powers of motherhood.

TM: Where are your children?

Tasi: They live and work outside Ho and visit me very often to share their love with me.

TM: You are an accomplished mother.

Tasi: It is all the grace of Allah.

TM: What advice do you have for other mothers who lost their partners?

Tasi: There are a lot of things you can do on your own without depending on a man. Just start it and let your love for your children and determination guide you.

TM: There are a lot of young mothers and aspiring mothers in Ho. Do they live up to your expectation?

Tasi: Hmmm. These days even lactating mothers dress half naked and walk on the streets, expecting to attract men for support. Definitely, this is not the best way to care and show love and respect to your children.

Your love for your children can bring a responsible man into your life, even if you do not display your intimate parts in public.

A good mother who needs support for her children must first try hard to find a job to support the children.

Mothers are phenomenal and a mother’s love for her children goes far beyond description.

TM: What is your other passion, apart from your children and the fruits?

Tasi: Hmmm, My grandchildren come first.

TM: You are always busy. Do you have any hobbies?

Tasi: Yes, I also love reggae music from Bob Marley.

TM: Tell me about your favourite food?

Tasi: Eiii, I love ewor kple and ademe.

TM: How many languages do you speak?

Tasi: I speak Ewe, Hausa as a Zongo girl from Ho, and a little English.

TM: Thank you, Tasi.

Tasi: My pleasure, Mario. I hope to see you again soon (while offering some bananas and apples to this reporter).