Kenyan singer Bahati recently delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Teresa Auma, the mother of his close friend and fellow artist, Mr. Seed. During a memorial service held at New Beginnings Church on September 12, Bahati shared emotional memories of the role she played in his life, describing her as a mother figure to him as well.
Bahati, who has shared a strong bond with Mr. Seed since their youth, reflected on how their friendship blossomed and how Teresa Auma became a significant presence in his life. He recalled meeting Mr. Seed in Mathare when they were both young dancers. Bahati, who lost his parents early in life, often relied on the kindness of others for meals, eventually finding himself in a children’s home for some time.
“When I lost my parents, I didn’t have a stable home. I would eat wherever I could find food,” Bahati shared during the tribute. After leaving the children’s home, Bahati moved in with Mr. Seed’s family, though Mr. Seed hadn’t informed his mother beforehand. Despite this, Teresa welcomed Bahati with open arms and supported him through his secondary education.
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Support Through His Musical Journey
Mr. Seed’s mom’s generosity didn’t stop there. Bahati revealed that she continued to help him even after he completed school and embarked on his music career. She would sew clothes for him at no cost, including for his first engagement with his wife, Diana Marua.
“Mr. seed’s mum made sure I looked good during my engagement and introduction to Diana. She was a true mom to me,” Bahati said, his voice heavy with emotion. He also reminisced about the sibling-like relationship he and Mr. Seed shared, noting that while they sometimes had disagreements, they would always come together under their shared love for Teresa.
One of the traits Bahati admired most about Mr. Seed’s mother was her neutrality in his and Mr. Seed’s disputes. According to Bahati, Teresa always wanted the best for both of them and refrained from taking sides in any misunderstandings.
“She never got involved in our drama. All she wanted was for me to succeed, just like Mr. Seed,” Bahati said.
Regrets over missed visits
Reflecting on his final interactions with Teresa, Bahati shared that they had kept in touch when she fell ill. They spoke frequently over the phone while she was in Umoja and later in Eldoret. However, despite her sounding strong during their conversations, Bahati now regrets not visiting her when she was in Nairobi.
“I kept thinking I had more time; I kept saying, ‘I’ll visit tomorrow,’ but I was traveling, and by the time I planned to visit her, it was too late.” Bahati admitted, visibly emotional
The memorial service ended with Bahati performing a special song he dedicated to Mr. Seed’s late mother. His performance moved the crowd, and Bahati was visibly overcome with emotion, shedding tears as he sang in her honor.
Teresa Auma’s passing has left a deep void in the lives of both Bahati and Mr. Seed, but her impact on their lives continues to be felt. Through his tribute, Bahati showed just how much of a mother she was to him during critical moments in his life.