Latest update December 20th, 2024 4:27 AM
Latest News
- EPA shamefully omitted sections Exxon Permit to argue against unlimited parent company guarantee for oil spills- Dr. Adams
- Hicken appointed top cop
- Israeli attacks pummel Gaza’s north as UN denounces lack of aid access
- Brutus refutes claims of attempting to leave Guyana
- Man gets life imprisonment sentence for felonious wounding
Musician fathered 13
“If I am to relive my life there are numerous situations I would try to avoid, many chances I wouldn’t take and lots of roads I won’t travel, but I am 100 per cent sure that I would proudly journey along the long, challenging, yet overwhelming road of fatherhood over and over again”, said Eze Rockcliffe yesterday as he reflected his life as a father of 13.
Eze Rockliffe with his youngest and eldest daughters.
The 61 year old confessed that at 17 it was no easy task to become responsible for an infant whose moulding depended on “my level of maturity, and willingness to put her first”. However, the feeling that comes with knowing that you are responsible for bringing an innocent child into the world, over powers the intimidating thought of your lifelong obligation as a father figure.
Rockcliffe said that the birth of his first child, Lois, made him realize that life is not only about surviving the struggles that were prevalent in his youthful stage, but to overcome them for the betterment of “my off springs”. At that time he was a Carpenter.
A few years later, now 20, Rockcliffe decided to explore another talent he had; one that was meant to “provide healing for the soul.” He became a musician, by then he was father of three, one boy and two girls.
The Musician vividly recalled being paid GYD$200 in 1972 for a three-night gig at the Pegasus. His mother, the late Tora Rockcliffe, then told him “boy you got to continue this thing…and so I did”. “Music fed all 13 of my children”, he said proudly.
By the yet young age of 24, Rockcliffe was not only father of, but fathered six. In 1978 he was “blessed” with another child and named her Niambi to continue his trend of all African names.
Being a “ladies man”, Rockcliffe had, at that time, three “baby mothers” and had to “share myself…but always put my children first and never allowed any of the many issues cause me to neglect them.”
Between 1980 to 1987 Rockcliffe, who obviously honoured the commandment to “multiply and replenish the earth”, added four more children to the Guyanese population-three girls and one boy.
“I could never forget, the joy I felt holding each one of my children for the first time- the feeling never gets old,” he said.
In 1989, Rockcliffe became a Parliamentarian and served four years. “I was honoured…By then I began to play three major roles in society that of a Parliamentarian, a musician and a father.” At this stage in his life, he was father of 13 after having his last two daughters.
He toured the length and breadth of Guyana with his Band- The Yoruba Singers- and visited eight countries to perform including a performance at the Madison Square Garden.
Rockcliffe recalled not having much of a father/son bond with his father so “I knew the importance of a father figure in a child’s life, even if not present in the home, fatherly guidance is potent for the fruitful growth of a child.”
He said that setting aside the financial constraints faced by women forced to single handedly parent a child, there are many-”most times”- unanswered questions that float around a child’s mind; like “why did he up and leave, why doesn’t he want anything to do with me, Is he really my dad especially as he/she is about to enter the “teenage phase.”
He added that a child can be very difficult and rebellious at various stages in their lives, and it is hard for one person to be faced with the task of pointing them in the right direction. He said that one of his daughters ever so often goes through some “serious phases” and sometimes it’s difficult “but her mother and I are always there when she decides to humble herself and ask for directions.”
Rockcliffe has been married for 11 years even though he and his wife -Joycelyn Wilburg Rockcliffe – have been together for 27 years.
Only two of his children remain in Guyana as nine reside in the USA, one in Canada and one in Trinidad. He boasted that his son-Ato Rockcliffe- is currently pursuing a Masters in Sociology. “My daughter Onocia already obtained her Masters in Nursing and her brother Zawdie follows her illustrious footsteps, two are Cosmetologists, one is into child care, another is an Electrician, one is a Pharmacist, one is a manager and my last two-both the same age- one is pursuing her first degree and the other is a journalist.”
“Many say that I should have been a millionaire but my money I know where my earnings went and it is reflected in the outcome of my children…soon I will reap what I have been sowing” Rockcliffe said.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A question of timing and priorities
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The advent of significant oil discoveries has catapulted Guyana into the global spotlight.... more
Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – The government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has steadfast support from many... more
Weekend Cartoon
