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YOWANE SANDANDO
1910—1981
Yowane Sandando was born on 12 May 1910 in Samaka’i village, Balovale District (Zambezi) of Zambia. He left his home in 1936 and moved to the Copperbelt Province. In 1948 he moved to Nampundwe, Lusaka Province, and in 1973 he settled in Machipisa village, Mumbwa District. Here, in September 1977, he heard the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and, although he was confined to bed, he embraced the Faith with joy and happiness. ‘These are the principles which we need. These are the teachings which can unite the whole area. I would be delighted to be accepted as one of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.‘ These were the words uttered by Mr. Sandando immediately after he learned about the purpose of the Bahá’í Faith. He declared himself a believer and served the Faith until the very last moment of his life.
Yowane was kind and helpful to everybody; his love and kindness had no limits. Most of the Bahá’ís who met him felt that his spiritual qualities could be compared to those shown by the early believers of the Faith during the lifetimes of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He received everybody with joy and open arms. His generosity and love attracted many people to his house where he offered them the lifegiving Message of Bahá’u’lláh. From the moment he accepted the Faith until the time of his passing, he took every opportunity to teach the Cause. He always travelled with some Bahá’í pamphlets and declaration cards, and many people in different areas declared their belief through his efforts. He opened to the Faith more than fifty villages in his area and managed to teach many village headmen, including the senior chief of the area, Chief Shakumbila.
From 1978 he served as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board and, at Riḍván 1980, was elected a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Zambia. He was always present at its meetings and anxious to serve. He assisted greatly in the construction of the Mumbwa Regional Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds by organizing the workers, feeding and accommodating them, and by prepan'ng the building materials. By his example he encouraged the Bahá’ís to take part in the construction of the
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Centre. Upon its completion, through his encouragement, a Bahá’í school was organized at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, the first Bahá’í education centre in Zambia. At one stage more than 160 Bahá’í and other children were attending the school and learning Bahá’í prayers and songs. The school is still being conducted. He created a wonderful spirit of harmony and friendship between the Bahá’í community and the churches of the area.
He came to Lusaka to attend the National Spiritual Assembly meeting during the weekend of 24—25 May and was cheerful and happy as usual. Four days later a message reached Lusaka that on the eve of 29 May 1981 Yowane Sandando ascended to the Abhá Kingdom at his home in Machipisa due to an apparent stroke. The news of his death was shocking and unexpected. On Saturday, 30 May, a Bahá’í funeral was held at which more than 400 people were present. Even his funeral was a means of teaching and proclamation of the Faith. His body was put to rest in a spot not very far from the Regional Bahá’í Centre that he loved so much.
IRAJ YAZDANI
THE Bahá’í’ WORLD
