‘Sweet mother, I no go forget you,
For the surfer, wey you surfer for me.’
This isn’t just a catchy line; it’s a heartfelt tribute straight from the soul of the African highlife songs in the 70s, showcasing the natural role of an African mother.
Translated, it means: ‘My sweet mother, I will never forget you, for all the suffering you endured to look after me.’
It went further to state, ‘If I cried, my mother would console me. If I do not sleep, my mother will not sleep; if I do not eat, my mother will not eat. Etc.
To all mothers, mothers to be, foster carers, individuals who care and protect, this is for you.
Sweet Mother, you’ll always have a special place in our hearts.
You love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
All those sleepless nights, multitasking like a pro, a superwoman equipped with an arsenal of skills.
You’re a Doctor when the situation demands it, a culinary genius who inflicts delicious meals without ever receiving a Michelin star. A project manager juggling deadlines and budgets without any pay.
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
A teacher whose accolades mysteriously didn’t make it home, a professional chauffeur to destinations unknown, a laundry master who conquers Mount Dirty Clothes, a sewing queen who can stitch together hope and fabric, and an overqualified accountant who keeps track of everything from groceries to gossip. Ops! I mean conversation!
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
You may not know where the fuse goes in a socket, but you surely know how to find that elusive matching sock when the laundry never cooperates! It’s a superpower only mothers seem to possess!
A real-life Nobel Peace Prize winner who skilfully navigates the complex negotiations of sibling rivalry that will put some countries’ presidents to shame, proving that mediating tantrums is just as challenging as brokering world peace, minus the press conferences and Nobel prize medals, of course!
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
You are a multitasking genius, a home detective with an inbuilt scanner for missing keys and secrets.
So, what if your Friday night sometimes ends with a glass of wine, or you regularly doze off in front of that TV box, night after night?
You deserve that after keeping our home afloat like a seasoned captain.
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
What if you forget your glasses over your head and spend the next hour searching the whole house for them, but effortlessly remember comments and promises made over a decade ago?
We still love you! The whole you, and nothing less but the whole you.
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
A natural alarm clock with endless batteries, a super-special being with radar powers for spotting trouble before it even thinks about knocking on our door.
A dedicated reminder, some might call it nagging.
A master planner at work and a genius organiser at home; a home tutor, a decorator, the hard drive of our lives. And let’s be real: the workload doesn’t change whether you’re a single mother or a married one.
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
Now, for those whose mothers are resting in heaven, treasure the memories you shared together. Hold onto those moments tighter than a mother holding onto her purse in a crowded market. For those whose mothers might be facing health challenges, here’s wishing you the strength to navigate this journey together.
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
And if your relationship with your mother is a bit rocky, remember this: the secret to finding peace lies in letting go of what you can’t change. Forgive where you can, even if it means accepting her cooking experiments that went wrong or her tongue that cut deep where it hurts.
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
And if you are still hurting, embrace the best formula for peace. Resentment divided by forgiveness from the bottom of your heart equals a joy that money can’t buy. That, my friend, is the least you can do for yourself.
So, here’s to all the sweet mothers out there, may your resilience be celebrated, your love be cherished, and your being be embraced!
Sweet Mother, you love, you cook, you clean, you wash, you wipe, and you care.
Every day is Mother’s Day, but this Sunday is a Special One.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Chris Kolade
Sunday the 15th of March, 2026
United-In-Separation
Chris@unitedinseparation.com
www.unitedinseparation.com
Credit:
The link to the original song in the 70s
Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother
A quick search on Google revealed this:
Singer Prince Nico Mbarga
“Sweet Mother” is a highlife song by the Cameroonian and Nigerian singer Prince Nico Mbarga and his band Rocafil Jazz, released in 1976.
The demo tape of “Sweet Mother” was turned down by EMI in 1974, citing the song’s “childish appeal”.
