Testimonial: Richard and Rita Pankhurst

By Tecola W. Hagos

As a student at Haile Selassie I University and Law School from 1965 to 1971, I had the great privilege of knowing Professor Richard Pankhurst and Mrs. Rita Pankhurst quite well. Other than having numerous conversations at their respective offices on issues dealing with education, art, culture, Ethiopian history, et cetera, I had also the unique privilege of having been invited over for lunch to their spacious home several times during my student days. During such visits, I also met their children Alula and Helen.  As I remember the children, from such a long time, that Alula was a typical vigorous little boy and Helen was a rather shy beautiful rose cheeked little girl.

I do not exactly remember what was on the menu during those lunches, for I was usually overwhelmed just being a guest at the home of two of Addis Ababa�s distinguished citizens not to mention great personalities at the University. What I remember the most was the welcome I received from the entire family including their huge dog. I also remember the mountain of stack of paper on the desk of Professor Pankhurst in his study, and the pragmatism of their home furnishings, worn out leather comfortable sofas, huge dinning table, et cetera. However, the most memorable and to a great extent disconcerting to me was the fact of their villa-home having no fences at all. I used to mention that fact every time I was a guest for lunch; I simply could not comprehend such open vulnerability in a city where people of their stature live in homes with a military like fortification with stone walls, barbed wire and jugged broken glasses on top of such high walls surrounding their homes. In time I learned from the Pankhursts that they were keeping their home fenceless in respect to the way Mrs. Sylvia Pankhurst, the mother of Professor Pankhurst, had maintained the place until her death in 1960.

I think such openness and vulnerability is the physical manifestation of the very humane qualities of the entire Pankhurst family including their parents.  It will be very shallow for me even to attempt to list the great contribution of this family of Pankhursts to Ethiopia and Ethiopians. As a scholar, Professor Pankhurst is at the pinnacle of great scholars of Ethiopian history and culture.  As a fellow Ethiopian, I simply cannot think of this family otherwise, he has endured much and has done to help his beloved Ethiopia more than anyone I can think of. And the generosity and dedication of the Pankhursts to Ethiopia and to the well being of Ethiopians has no equal.

Personally, both Professor Pankhurst and Mrs. Rita Pankhurst have been very kind to me. They encouraged me to paint as well as study my profession at the law school. Professor Pankhurst even wrote a vigorous recommendation letter in 1972 on my behalf to Oxford University , where I was accepted to do graduate studies. (I regret that I did not pursue that venue.) They were truly great people in every way that truly matters. The Nobel Prize will only be too small for a man of such monumental legacy. I fully support awarding the Nobel to Professor Richard Pankhurst of Ethiopia .

                                              Tecola W. Hagos

                                               February 24, 2009

                                               Washington DC

NB: I am touched by the sincerity of the masterful statements written by my distinguished fellow Ethiopians Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia, Ato Paulos Asefa, Ato Daniel Gizaw, Dr. Afework Kassu and Dr. Fikre Tolossa to honor Mrs. Sylvia Pankhurst, Professor Richard Pankhurst and Mrs. Rita Pankhurst. I appreciate and support their recommendation that Richard Pankhurst be awarded the Nobel Prize. There are so many great men and women that we need to honor, and recognize their sacrifices and great work promoting Ethiopia and bringing to light its fabulous history. TH