top of page
Writer's pictureGunjur Online

TRIBUTE: Adieu Swaebou Conateh


I came to know Swaebou when he was the director of information in the 1970s and early 1980s. In those years I was a regular contributor of human-life stories in the Gambia News Bulletin. But I knew the veteran journalist more intimately when together with the late Momodou Fintong Singhateh and former information minister and veteran journalist Nana Grey-Johnson we helped midwife former President Jawara's memoir entitled 'Kairaba'. The four-member editorial team ploughed through the work for about two years, 2007- 2009, at the residence of the former president. In those days Swaebou struck me as a man with solid experience in writing. Of course his English language skills were impeccable. I remember when I was at St Augustine's Secondary School from 1962 to 1967, our English teacher would always read to us Swaebou's well- written essays to emulate. He was indeed a master craftsman ! He was 3/4 years my senior. We normally worked from 4 to 7pm with Sir Dawda always insisting on providing him with the 'mot juste'. Swaebou was always helpful when called upon to share his vast knowledge in the English language in general and synonymy in particular. He was jovial and down to earth. Jawara served us snacks and Swaebou would always remind the team that it was time for 'siitaa'( Mandinka for 'evening snacks'). So it was inevitable that we nicknamed him 'Siitaa'. Adieu Swaebou Adieu master cratsman and administrator Adieu Siitaa



Copyright: 2017 - 2022 | GunjurOnline™
Copyright: 2017 - 2022 | GunjurOnline™
bottom of page