Brother Bakanja Mkenda OSB

Brother Bakanja (Epimack) Mkenda OSB

He was of the same age as Fr. Pius. Born in Rombo, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro in 1972, Epimack received primary and secondary education in Rombo and Moshi respectively. He came from the family of Peter Xavery and Martha Mkari, both Rombo residents. The couple was blessed with seven children of which Epimack was the sixth.

Because of his good Catholic background, the young Epimack showed a lot of interest in anything related to his Catholic faith from his early age. He was an active YCS (Young Christian Students), a student organization in schools and colleges in Tanzania. In his school years, he belonged to groups of students who always wanted to make their Christian faith visible to others.

Epimack found his way to Ndanda Abbey in 2002, thanks to the efforts of Fr. Thomas Eastermann. Between 2002 and 2004, he was in the novitiate in Ndanda. It was the time he was given the name of one of the African martyrs (Isidor) Bakanja. The choosing of this name was significant. Later he would take an MA degree in Nairobi in African studies. For him African culture, values, traditions, and beliefs were important tools to transmit and live Christian faith within the African context.

His first profession was in 2004. Six years later, in 2010 Bro. Bakanja committed himself for life in the community with his final vows.

Few people know that Br. Bakanja was quite an educated confrere. He held a BA degree of Philosophy (Urbanianum – 1995-1998). In 2002 he studied Journalism and Mass Communication at St. Augustine University of Tanzania. Later (in 2005) he got a certificate in counselling at Amani Counseling and Training Institute. At the end of 2008, Br. Bakanja was awarded an MA degree by St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Tangaza Campus, in African Studies. As if that were not enough, he was awarded another MA degree in Theology by Catholic Distance University of the United States of America. This was 2013.

In the community, he was simply referred to as “Bakanja.” Everybody knew that Bakanja was a brother. He never needed any titles. His wide knowledge of many issues enabled him to work everywhere at any time. With Fr. Severin Pieper he developed the first programs for the new Zakeo Spiritual Centre in Ndanda. He worked closely with Fr. Sebald Hofbeck as editor in our publishing house while at the same time working in the administration as co-cellarer, guest master and formator to the young brothers. His presence in the different boards of the abbey contributed significantly to the recent development of our community. The leadership of our congregation, bishops, religious superiors, institutions as well as individual communities made very good use of Bakanja’s intelligence and talents.

Until the time of his death, Bakanja was the superior and guest master of our Procure in Kurasini Dar es Salaam. He fulfilled this responsibly while at the same time serving as mission officer of our community. As a mission officer, he was playing a key role in the realization of the community’s new mission projects in Mozambique and Dodoma.

Other positions held by Bakanja before his untimely death were secretary of the Board of Registered Trustees of Abbey Schools as well as the Board Secretary of Abbey’s production wing, ABBECOL. Bakanja played a pivotal role in the founding of these two institutions, which are the results of the ongoing reforms in of the abbey. In this areas Bakanja will greatly be missed.