Feb 28, 2011.*
*Hector Reginald Sylvanus Bultman is the only surviving member that was part of the “Founding Fathers” delegation that attended the constitutional conference in Lancaster House in 1960, which later led to Sierra Leone’s Independence a year later. Boltman, 84, served as a soldier in the Colonial Army-The Royal West African Frontier Force for six years before he retired as a sergeant Education Instructor Grade 1 in 1953.*
*On leaving the Army, Boltman served three years in the civil service from 1954 to 1957. He later joined active politics, served as Sierra Leone Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, with multiple accreditations to Ivory Coast and later High Commissioner to the UK. In Liberia, former Liberian President Tolbert honored him with the Award of Commander of the Star of Africa for his good work. He served Sierra Leone as the State Chief of Protocol when Sierra Leone hosted the OAU conference, the largest gathering of African Heads of State in the small West African nation.*
*AfricaNews reporter in Sierra Leone Murtala Mohamed Kamara caught up with Boltman at his quiet cottage in the West of the capital Freetown. During turbulent and colorful times in Sierra Leone, one name, Boltman, he saw it all and live to tell the story.*
*Bultman finds time to share his thoughts on 50 years of Sierra Leone’s Independence in this revealing interview. Read through…*
*You where part of the ’Founding Father’s that were sent to London in 1960 to negotiate with the British for Sierra Leone’s Independence some 50 years ago. Paint us a picture of the talks in Lancaster House that finally led to our Independence and what was your role in it?*
Well, yes like you said I was a member of the Sierra Leone delegation to Lancaster house in 1960. The conference actually started on the 20th April 1960 and ended on May 4th 1960.
Exactly, one year after that, we attained independence. The talk was all centred on constitutional changes of Sierra Leone from the colonial period to independence.
The talks went on smoothly, there was no controversy, and there was no dissention with the exception of Siaka Stevens, a member of our delegation who reserved his opinion. He said he is not going to sign in his own name for two reasons. One, he would prefer for Sierra Leone to have a general election before independence not after independence.
Secondly, he does not want to see Sierra Leone being used as a military base by other countries. This did not go down well with everybody; he did not advance any reason to convince any of us therefore we did not see reason. He came in with this at the time when the conference was about to end but his point where noted but there was no time to go over it.
*Are you the only surviving member of that discussion?*
Yes, I am the only surviving member of a group of 24 that went to England. In fact, the present Queen of England and myself are the only two surviving members that took part in the negotiations.
*Was Sierra Leone ripe for Independence from the British by then?*
In my personal opinion, I think Sierra Leone was ripe for independence. If at 150 years we’ve been going as a colony I wonder when we would have ripen for independence. Just like a child growing up with his parents or her parents and then he or she is of age, she has to decide who and when to marry. Before we attained our independence, about three, four to five countries have attained there’s. Starting with Ghana and Nigeria along the West Coast. After 50 years as a colonial state, I don’t see what’s wrong with that when we try to govern ourselves.
*One year later after those talks in Lancaster House we attained independence. How do you feel that history now remember you as one of those that brought independence to this nation?*
As a Sierra Leonean I felt proud. I was happy about it, I was happy to see myself as a delegate to that August assembly. It is our responsibility to push Sierra Leone forward for the betterment of all. I am only disappointed that Sierra Leone has not make the progress I had envisage 50 years ago. 50 years since 1961, I think we should have gone far than this. Look at other African countries and see the progress they have made in 50 years but with us we have not made those progress.
*Some schools of thought argued that we have no reason to celebrate. 50 years on, the country still depends hugely on handouts from donors whiles the rest of the population live below the poverty line. Some folks argued that Sierra Leone in the 60’s is far better than Sierra Leone today. Do you agree?*
No Sir! I don’t know how to describe Sierra Leone or Sierra Leoneans in general. Our attitude is a major problem that’s why I endorsed the President campaign for us to change our attitude. Our attitude in instances like this is: If it is not I, it must not be you. People who are against us celebrating independence must have their reasons and I would like them to come forward and tell us why we must not celebrate.
If we are not advance beyond where we are today, it is our fault, and the fault of all those who do not wish to see Sierra Leone move forward. For instance, individually the poorest man when his or her birthday comes, he will definitely want to do something with the meager resources just to commemorate the day.
That we survive 50 years; I don’t see why we must not celebrate. I am with the total view that we should celebrate although not very elaborately but let us do something to mark the occasion.
The last 50 years has been turbulent and colorful for Sierra Leone. You saw it all. Now tell us where we went wrong over the last 50 years?
We did not pursue those goals, which we should have pursued. We are yet to do the things which should have done and we have done those things which we ought no to have done. For example, there’s been this talk of corruption, nepotism, tribalism; these are the things, which should not to have done. If we should avoid all those things and work for the good of Sierra Leone. We would have been like Ghana or Nigeria or any other progressive country in Africa.
*We have had civil war, military coups, rival political clashes and so much more. What has held us a nation over the last 50 years?*
War, military coup, clashes…. those are what we called misadventure. Like the military rule? No military rule has done something good for Sierra Leone. They will tell you that they are fighting corruption but when they seized power they became more corrupt than the regime they overthrown. We have seen more of the evils and I only hope we will put all those aside. Let us go by the words of our Pledge and work towards it. Remember, it says I pledge my love and loyalty to my country Sierra Leone. I vow to serve her faithfully at all time. Also the words of our national anthem, which says: High we exalt thee, realm of the free. Sierra Leoneans should feel that this country is the land of their birth. Sierra Leone is our native land; nobody from outside would come and develop it for us. We should change our attitude for the better. Love each other be our brothers keeper. The sky will be our limit if we do all this.
*What is the way forward for Sierra Leone?*
Sierra Leone will rise up again if we heed to call of attitudinal change. We should work for the common good of Sierra Leone, individually and collectively. Sierra Leone is Sierra Leone; Sierra Leone is just Sierra Leone since independence. Sierra Leone does not move. We have got to advance Sierra Leone not Sierra Leone advancing us. Don’t ask what the nation has done for you as an individual; ask what you have done for Sierra Leone. See yourself as a patriot of Sierra Leone. We are bound to move forward.
*How do you feel as the only surviving member telling the story today?*
I feel good, I feel happy to tell the story today. The Committee which was set up by the President for the 50th celebration asked me to be their Chief Adviser and I told them that I am more than willing to give them a helping hand where I can, but today I heard this thing about corruption, resignation and I ask myself Why Sierra Leone? Why? I think it is disgraceful. Although, I have never been invited to be part of Independence celebrations in the past. It is hard to believe that a member of the Founding Fathers is alive and not been invited to the Independence celebrations.
*On a personal note how do you relax now?*
I spend time quietly. My niece and nephew have been taking very good care of me. My wife died a little over a year ago otherwise the two of us get together well. I have served my country well. I have been a diplomat for over 20 years. I have served my country faithfully, with all my heart, without bringing shame to my people, God is my witness. Since I retired, no pension, no gratitude since 1991 apart from the sweet Thank you letter for your service. Government after government has failed, I only hope succeeding government will rectify these problem for the good of Sierra Leone.
*You saw it all; at 84 you are still going strong, what’s the secret to old age?*
Live a Godly, ritcheous and sober life.
*How would you like to be remembered?*
It is not for me to ask what Sierra Leone has done for me but what I as an individual has done. You tell me how you would like to remember me.
*Note:This interview was firstcconducted for AfricaNews by renowned Sierra Leonean journalist Murtala Mohamed Kamara.Mr.Boltman died few years after this interview.*
