By Shaffie A Mtambo
It’s been several years since a massive fire swept through parts of the ministries’ offices in Lilongwe, destroying valuable documents and equipment. The incident occurred during a parliamentary session, forcing lawmakers to dismiss and evacuate the premises.
In the midst of chaos, Security Guard Symon Jonas from the Agriculture department sprang into action. Despite shouts from onlookers telling him it wasn’t his job to stop the fire, Jonas persevered, risking his own safety to contain the blaze.
Jonas recounted his heroic actions, saying, “Inside my journey to stop the fire, there were shouts from people saying, ‘You, Jonas, it’s not your job to stop the fire burning.’ But I didn’t stop until I managed to stop the fire from spreading to other offices.”
Despite his bravery, Jonas received no recognition or appreciation for his actions. He expressed his disappointment, saying, “If this had happened in another country, I believe I would have received some form of recognition. But here, I didn’t even receive a single word of appreciation.”
Jonas attempted to reach out to the government for acknowledgment, but his efforts were met with silence. His phone calls went unanswered, leaving him feeling overlooked and undervalued.
Jonas’s story highlights the often-overlooked contributions of everyday heroes like himself. His bravery and selflessness saved valuable property and potentially prevented loss of life. It’s time for his actions to be recognized and celebrated.
