My father, Justin Reuben Dube, the “General Major” as he was called by many; the most loving and caring man I’ve ever come across. He was a man of many talents, soft spoken, humble, respectable and handsome, of course.

He gave me the best moments of my life. He brought the brightest smile ever on my face, especially when he called for me. He would say, “Elimthende Lami Elihle.” I swear he’s the only man that has ever made me blush.

He instilled strong family values in me and I’m glad that I can instill all those values in my very own kids. Never have I felt unloved with him in my life, because he’s always been beside me, but unfortunately death took him away from me. It’s been seven years now without him, but I can still feel his presence within me and I’m glad that I got to have a man like him as a father.

I remember how he would take me with to the soccer grounds to watch soccer and he would buy me all sorts of sweet stuff and make me promise that I wouldn’t tell my mom when we got home. He would sheepishly smile and say, “Elimthende lami, don’t tell your mom that I bought you sweets. We would seal our promise with our secret handshake.

He was my cheerleader in everything, always cheering me on in my achievements. He was a strong believer in education and always made sure that I excelled in my studies

I remember when I was doing my matric and was about to write my final examinations he used all his salary and took me on a week-long vacation. His exact words were, “I want you to be as relaxed as you can ever be and I want you to get used to such treatment so that you won’t expect them from every man you come across.” Those words have always been embedded in my heart. Without any doubt I’m proud to say my father was the best father in the whole wide world and it would have been a blessing to still have him in my life.

If I could, I would wake him up from his grave and we would do this father-daughter thing again together, because he was what any person would ask for in a father and a perfect husband to my mother. But I’m glad I got an opportunity to be the daughter of such a selfless man; so loving and so full of life.

If given an opportunity to choose a father again, I would choose him over and over again because no one can ever love me the way he loved me.

Elimthende Lami Elihle, my hero, a father like no other. He may be gone but he’s never forgotten.”

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This was one of the commended entries in the My Father essay writing competition. Click here to read other excellent essays from the competition.