My name is Debbie/Kibibi. I am Aidan/ Memusi’s mother.
Aidan/Memusi was born in London on 29 August 2002. He passed away peacefully on 12 January 2024 aged 21.
He and my daughter, Eve/ Nandoye, gave/ give each day purpose and meaning.
In Sept 2004, aged 2, my work took us to Johannesburg SA. There Aidan acquired his love for the sunshine and Africa. No one could care better for him than his aunt Jula (with whom they are now reunited). He also developed a love for nature – safari animals and sharks.
In Aug 2007, aged 5, my work took us to NY. He picked up martial arts, continued his swimming lessons, added a few ice skating lessons, learned to ride a bike, and developed a love for books esp Shark & wild animal books. Eve remained his constant best friend.
He was a master of diplomacy wanting people to always get on. His kindergarten teacher commenting that he would either be “president” or a diplomat.
He was loud, full of life and love. He was brave- walking his newly arrived grandmother to the library on his own.
He was protective always ready to fight anyone who upset Eve.
In Jan2010, aged 7, my work returned us back to London. He picked up drumming, singing and acting. At age 10 he was lead singer in the school band.
Sharks and books continued to still be his favourites.
As a teenage he enjoyed listening to rap music and diving.
Had a reading age of 17 at age 13. He was mischievous getting into occasional trouble at school. His friends Maddie and Eva did a good job of trying to keep him on track. His sense of adventure led him and a friend, Alfie, to sow a magnet in their finger to see if they could move the compass!.
In October 2020, Covid year, he spent 6 months in Arusha & Moshi. He trained/ worked at Apk’s coffee farm and learnt Swahili. He felt fully at home enjoying the company of family & newly formed friends.
His music taste expanded to African tunes. Most days someone would be asking him to reduce the volume on his speaker.
Aidan/ Memusi had a mind of his own in terms of the path he would take into adulthood. So in Oct 2021, at 19, he enrolled on a Liberal Arts degree course at TelAviv University. He focused on philosophy, psychology and history of the region.
His favourite topics were how/ if we can solve the Israel/ Palestine conflict, eradicating poverty, and achieving peace in the world.
He made friends from all over the world. 2 of who are here – Tylan his room mate and Sydney. He had the gift of talking to anyone so even cab drivers and door men were known as “friends”.
With the war he took the semester out and remained in London. He kept busy at the gym ( lots of upper body works outs) and a part time job at a local restaurant. At the restaurant he was constantly fighting with the mangers for workers rights. He was never scared to stand up to what he believed in.
Sadly on Friday 12 Jan 2024 he passed away leaving us with an ocean of grief. Inside we are literally shattered into a million pieces. No words to describe the void and his endless capacity to love. His plan was to come and live in Arusha so he could look after the family. I am sure he will do just that from wherever he is at.
Aidan cared deeply for his family and making the world right. His biggest accomplishment is in the number of friends he had and the people he touched.
At this juncture I would like to thank all who organised this amazing day. All those who came and those who wanted to be here but couldn’t make it. As the Koreans say:
“Sharing sadness will halve your sorrow whereas sharing happiness will double your delight”.
I would like to end by quoting one of Aidan’s favourite philosophy quotes: “no man ever steps into the same river twice. For it is not the same river and he is not the same man”.
The same way we will now step outside into our “same life” but its not the same life as Memusi is not in it and we surely can’t be the same people without him.
I will always love you Memusi. Go well and rest in peace my son until the day we meet again.