By Mengistu Asfaw
Forty-nine years ago, Mekonen Shegene was killed at his workplace at Menelik Comprehensive Secondary School. A man who devoted his entire life to educating young Ethiopians, he was betrayed by ill-fated individuals who cut short the life of a hero — a diehard Ethiopianist.
After 49 years, Mekonnen Shegene has been immortalized by young Ethiopians who barely knew him except through his heroic devotion to educating fellow Ethiopians — the future owners and makers of the motherland.
At the 10th Annual Araya Sew Award in Dallas, the highest respect and commemoration was given to Mekonnen Shegene. It was very spectacular.
Thanks to the organizers and the Araya Sew Foundation for giving a historic place to our heroes and reminding us to always remember those patriots who paid the highest price to bring great change to Ethiopia.
Among the award recipients was Col. Goshu Wolde, who received the highest recognition.
Present at the ceremony were Mekonnen Shegene’s widow, Weizero Senait Yewendatir, his daughters Kabiw Mekonen and Meshegech Mekonen, and his grandchildren.
Former students of Mekonen Shegene were also present and shared their memories of him.
The award program was very organized and a remarkable event remembering Ethiopia’s past heroes.
A teacher is a servant of all, but the master of himself.
Mekonen Shegene was one of them.
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When you have well raised children, the good you have done for others will be remembered and honored even after decades of your passing. The years of those 1970’s is when the old country lost a generation due to an all out bloodshed. It was the time when opposition groups killing each other and the military junta butchering every opposition without mercy. This father is said to happen one of those unfortunate victims. We would like to know who killed this loving father. The perpetrators of the bloodshed were said to be members of MEISONE, EPRP, ELF/EPLF, OLF, WSLF/ONLF and the DERG. So one of these groups must have been the one who murdered this father and a respected teacher.
Add TPLF to the list.
Don’t forget EPRDF and the current regime.
It was great to be part of Mr. Mekonen shegen’s honorship event and l appreciate the event preparers. I was one of his students and saddened to hear by the lose of his life while he was at work. I felt it was/is a big lose for the acadamy especially, for poor country like Ethiopia. He was a patriotic person for good educatin and encouraging good studens for better ranks. I wish there was any permanent memorable thing established to honor him and be part of it thank his greate work. May his soul rest in peace.