I’ll choose light over darkness - Caristo Sr

CARISTO Chitamfya Snr, the father of radio personality Caristo Chitamfya Jr aka Caristo Clear aka ‘Mr Lip Pose’ has said he will choose light over darkness in dealing with his son’s death.

Presenting his tribute during a funeral service held at Lusaka’s Northmead Assembly yesterday, Mr Chitamfya said he will not dwell on the negative stories that are being used to malign his son’s death on social media platforms but concentrate on the positive side which is the light.

“Do I choose the dark? (in this situation), I will choose light, the positive side because light defeats darkness," Mr Chitamfya said, admitting that it was really hard for a father to find words to describe the loss of his son.

“It's hard to find a word in any language to describe a father who has lost a son, because when you lose a son as a father, you feel you are the one to blame, you feel there's something you could have done to prevent it," he said.

He described his son as one who came from a humble background and worked very hard to achieve what he did in a short time.

“Fortunately my son had something in him, in 24 years, he did what I couldn't achieve in my entire life, " he said, in acknowledging his son's impact and contribution to the entertain- ment industry in Zambia.

And late Caristo’s mother said she has lost a friend in her son whom she will find hard to live without.

“I’ve lost a friend, it will be hard to live without you. Who will understand and spoil me? Your demise has left me weak. You appreciated me. You achieved a lot, thank you for making me a proud mother," she said in a tribute read on her behalf.

Meanwhile, Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) has described the late Caristo as an integral part of Zambian music who showed love and support to the industry.

ZAM president Tivo Shikapwasha said though not a member of ZAM, Caristo’s contribution to the industry was huge and born out of love.

“Caristo was an integral part of Zambian music, he was a loving person. He has left a lesson of love. He believed in musicians, he believed in all of us," said the visibly grief-striken Tivo.

Others who shared their tributes include musicians B-Flow and Ruff Kid, Radio presenters Roxy, Showster and Chali as well as National Arts Council chairperson.

Caristo, died last Thursday in a road trafficaccident on Lusaka’s Great East Road.