#RIPCaristoChitamfyaJr: “Caristo Clear” put to rest
Saved under News, SOUTHERN AFRICA, Zambia
Tags: CARISTO Chitamfya Jr, DJ Caristo Clear, Lusaka
Please follow & like us :)
CARISTO Chitamfya Jr aka DJ Caristo Clear who died in a road accident in Lusaka on Thursday has been buried today at Memorial Park.
Scores of mourners that included musicians, actors, radio and TV presenters along with ordinary people turned up to bid farewell to the 24-year-old star.
Since his death, social media has been awash with messages of shock, condolences as well as rumours insinuating Caristo had exchanged his life for riches – his father Caristo Chitamfya Sr responded to the insinuations during the sendoff saying he forgave the rumor mongers.
Burial was preceded by a sombre and jam-packed requiem service punctuated with contagious grief at the Northmead Assemblies of God in Lusaka’s Northmead.
Many were moved to tears by the touching tributes of those who spoke during the service.
“I don’t know how to speak and write English very well so Caristo is the one who used to help me to write and post on social media whenever I wanted to share something. Who will help me now,” said a whimpering Ruff Kid who also shared a birthday with the former social media manager.
Zambia association of musicians Tivo Shikapwasha led musicians and spoke on their behalf.
Tivo said; “This is very difficult for many of us. Caristo was not a member of ZAM but he was an integral part of the industry. Caristo was very supportive to the arts, he was a loving person that sought to bring people together.”
His father Caristo Chitamfya Sr. used the occasion to address the rumors linking the death of his son
Chitamfya said when one loses a son, it is difficult to find the words to describe the loss.
“When you lose a son you feel like you are to blame, you feel like there’s something you could have done to prevent the death,” he said.
He said he was broken before addressing the rumors that have been in social media.
“Do I choose to be bitter towards those who have chosen to malign my son. Or do I choose light? I choose light because light will always defeat darkness. Those of you who came to the house of morning in Woodlands at my in-laws house, did the house look like a house of richness. A Benz is just a car and a means of transport. We need to reflect about the idea of richness as Zambians,” he said.
“Lupupa (Caristo) comes from a very humble family. I didn’t have much to give Lupupa but it is not what you leave with your children that matters but what you leave in them. Forget about richness. Fortunately, my son had something in him. In 24 years he did and achieved what I couldn’t achieve in my life.”
Chitamfya Sr said him and his son had something in common of supporting what is Zambian.
“I will forever cherish my son. You ran a good race. If my son ever wronged you, please a place in your heart to forgive him, he was only 24 and trying to find himself. I thank all of you who have come to mourn with us,” he said.
Chibamba Kanyama a close friend of Chitamfya Sr and member of Northmead Assemblies of God added, “I know social media has said a lot but us being here is a confirmation of his (Caristo’s) faith in Jesus.”
And his mother Pharles Vumo said she still cannot believe her son is gone.
“It’s so hard for me to believe you are gone, I never in a day did imagine that I would be reading this tribute. I will always love you my son,” she said in a tribute read on her behalf.
Bflow who was part of the pallbearers along with Macky ll, Roberto, Damian Chilekwa aka Damiano and comedian Kabova said, “Caristo was one of the most hardworking individuals of our industry. We will remember him as multi-talented guy.”
(Pictute and Story by Salim Dawood)
