INNA
LILLAAHI wa INNA ILAIHI RAJEOON [We Belong to ALLAH and onto ALLAH We Shall
Return].
I
am truly Devastated, Saddened! It is, indeed, with a heavy heart that I learned
and had to accept that Rainsford Cline-Thomas has passed on! I was told that he
died on Tuesday 21st April due to the dreaded CORONAVIRUS disease. His wife,
Aurelia is struggling to beat the CORONAVIRUS Disease. Let’s all pray for Aurelia. May God the
Almighty speed her full Recovery. Amen!
The
iconic Gambian Broadcaster, with the Golden Voice, has departed! The Silver
lining for his family is that they can take solace, knowing that their dear
Ransford-- everyone’s Ransford Cline-Thomas--is in a Better place/State, in the
Comfort of his Master. Ransford was a friend to all! There was Never a dull
moment being around him, with his infectious, defining Smile, juxtaposed with
his natural dimple; always cracking jokes, to make his company Relax, and feel
like somebody, in a world that is now becoming uncharacteristically cruel and
unkind. It is not his kind of world! Ransford is very outgoing and would do the
extra to make everyone around him feel appreciated and warmly welcomed.
Ransford
Imbibed the work ethic and expects nothing less from peers. He was a
workaholic, and a veritable perfectionist-- always striving to be his best in
whatever he does.
Patriotism,
defined as selfless Love for Gambia, Our Homeland and for Gambians, was
Ransford’s mantra.
Let
Truth be told! Vintage Ransford Cline-Thomas, whose Persona fits the
quintessential definition of a Gambian Patriot, is fast becoming an endangered
species. It’s All about Self now. Only a few care about Country and People. A
country, where Elected Office and public trust
are considered a License to Milk the Taxpayers and to loot and plunder public
funds/resources. This no longer looks like Ransford’s Gambia.
Ransford
the Broadcast Pioneer.
We
were the 3 (Alhaj Mansour Njie, Ransford and yours truly) that Anchored the
Pioneering Team of Broadcast Officer Badou Lowe and his Deputy, Joseph Bahoum
(May their Souls continue to rest in Perfect Peace). Radio Gambia was then
operating from No. 3 Marina, just behind Cable & Wireless. Ransford was
among the Pioneers of Broadcasting in the Gambia.
I
was the last to join the Core Team, first sent to Radio Gambia on Secondment
from the Post &Telegraph’s Department, shortly after my return from
training as a Telecommunications Engineer in Belfast in 1965. It was Ransford
who convinced me to change professions. Veteran Broadcaster, Joseph Gabbidon
joined shortly afterward.
Ransford,
my brother and dear friend. A grateful Nation and your many loyal fans are in
mourning. We mourn the Passing of a Legend!
A decent human being has departed. Caring, Empathetic, Compassionate,
Loving and Kind to his Neighbor--To All. That was the Ransford Cline Thomas that
I knew.HeTreated the Matriarch--his mentor and friend-- with abiding love and
Reverence!
We
have fond memories of your Signature “Adieu”. The Sign-off, you would deliver in a Mesmerizing
& hearthrobbing Tonality---the quintessential Golden Voice that no one else
in the Broadcast profession possesses but You, # Vintage “Ransford Cline-
Thomas will live in our memory for ever. Up-close-and-personal, dear Ransford,
Your Gentillesse and Infectious smile will be sorely missed.
We
respectfully bow and Salute the Gambian Broadcast Icon as he takes the final
bow here, bidding us, his final Adieu:
@#This is Ransford Cline-Thomas saying good night”. Why Ransford? Why?
Till we meet Again,
Adieu,
dear brother!
Your
Widow, Aurelia, your loving daughter, Natasha and your many friends in the
Africa Region and beyond will make sure that your Legacy lives on for ever!
May
the Good Lord grant you a choice standing in Paradise!
Amen!
Dr.
Sidi Cherno Jammeh (Chairman Emeritus World Bank--IMF African Society,
Washington DC), end of quotation.
Sharing,
in the attached link, a UN documentary prepared and narrated by Ransford
Cline-Thomas on the 25th Anniversary of ECA 31st May, 1983. Listen and enjoy
the Narrative of the Gambia’s own Ransford Cline-Thomas. Listening to the Golden
Voice of Ransford gives immense joy! Rest in peace till we meet, my dear
friend.
Be
and Stay Safe! Regards. SCJ.
