This is Part II of the republication of “What Life Has Taught Me”. In Part II we visit his childhood, upbringing and education. This work ends with the chapter, “A Study Period at Oxford and London”. We have added the Epilogue, which is also found in Part I. The original texts have been reproduced entirely without any changes. We have added extensive footnotes and endnotes where appropriate. We have also added private and official pictures of Dr. Siaka P. Stevens. What can we therefore learn from his childhood and family life that would give us insights and lessons for upcoming leaders? The republication of this second part of his autobiography is done with this in mind. To understand and appreciate the politics of Dr. Stevens one needs to know about the childhood and his upbringing. For we cannot truly appreciate some of the decisions of Dr. Stevens until we revisit his childhood. For young Sierra Leoneans, future leaders these chapters hold important lessons.
For as we know, Stevens was not born into a “ruling “family or privilege. He was a self-made man, who largely educated himself and rose to lead his people. Stevens describe his childhood with pride, something we should note. Stevens does not attempt to paint himself in a different light. He describes with pride his modest upbringing, unpretentiousness and appreciation for the simple things of life.
Sierra Leone has changed significantly since Siaka Stevens wrote his autobiography. Traditional values have been challenged by globalization. Technology has penetrated our cities, towns and even villages.
Yet these chapters offer us insights into the values that we ought to embrace. My grandfather emphasized throughout the chapters the need for a community spirit and approach to living together and solving our problems.
Dr. Stevens discusses in detail elitism and alerts us to the dangers posed by “people wh0 feel they have a right” to govern. We get an insight into the damaging effects of colonialism.
Through his story we see a man who earned everything the hard way; emphasizing hard work, discipline and respect for authority, though not blindly. We see a man who taught others, who believe that knowledge showed be shared for the greater good of one’s community and ultimately the nation.Stevens’ talks about the need for citizens through civil society to become part of the Governance of Sierra Leone.
We see a man who believed common sense; that a leader should distinguish between the problem and the symptoms, and that we should avoid quick fixes.
Though he wrote his story 29 years, many of the values and views he held and expressed are still relevant to our country.
This is also the story of a quite remarkable self-made man. Like many other rural Africans, he received his primary and secondary education away from home through the sacrifices of his family and friends and with the aid of a Creole family in Freetown. Although his formal education stopped, we also after graduation from the Albert Academy (except for a very important stay Africa- Stay at Ruskin College, Oxford in 1947) his education did not. Stevens read in the 1930s widely, taught himself to type while working at the mines, learned the techniques of broadcasting by memorizing BBC broadcasts, and most importantly learned to read, understand, and lead people. As one can see in this work, the education of Siaka Stevens continues in his late 70s.
One of the refreshing aspects of this autobiography is that Siaka Stevens does not paint himself as an heroic figure. While delighted about his success and proud of his achievements, he also talks about mistakes, errors in judgment, and weaknesses. His comments on the colonial period and nationalist responses demonstrate an openness that clarifies and instructs.
For as we know, Stevens was not born into a “ruling “family or privilege. He was a self-made man, who largely educated himself and rose to lead his people. Stevens describe his childhood with pride, something we should note. Stevens does not attempt to paint himself in a different light. He describes with pride his modest upbringing, unpretentiousness and appreciation for the simple things of life.
Sierra Leone has changed significantly since Siaka Stevens wrote his autobiography. Traditional values have been challenged by globalization. Technology has penetrated our cities, towns and even villages.
Yet these chapters offer us insights into the values that we ought to embrace. My grandfather emphasized throughout the chapters the need for a community spirit and approach to living together and solving our problems.
Dr. Stevens discusses in detail elitism and alerts us to the dangers posed by “people wh0 feel they have a right” to govern. We get an insight into the damaging effects of colonialism.
Through his story we see a man who earned everything the hard way; emphasizing hard work, discipline and respect for authority, though not blindly. We see a man who taught others, who believe that knowledge showed be shared for the greater good of one’s community and ultimately the nation.Stevens’ talks about the need for citizens through civil society to become part of the Governance of Sierra Leone.
We see a man who believed common sense; that a leader should distinguish between the problem and the symptoms, and that we should avoid quick fixes.
Though he wrote his story 29 years, many of the values and views he held and expressed are still relevant to our country.
This is also the story of a quite remarkable self-made man. Like many other rural Africans, he received his primary and secondary education away from home through the sacrifices of his family and friends and with the aid of a Creole family in Freetown. Although his formal education stopped, we also after graduation from the Albert Academy (except for a very important stay Africa- Stay at Ruskin College, Oxford in 1947) his education did not. Stevens read in the 1930s widely, taught himself to type while working at the mines, learned the techniques of broadcasting by memorizing BBC broadcasts, and most importantly learned to read, understand, and lead people. As one can see in this work, the education of Siaka Stevens continues in his late 70s.
One of the refreshing aspects of this autobiography is that Siaka Stevens does not paint himself as an heroic figure. While delighted about his success and proud of his achievements, he also talks about mistakes, errors in judgment, and weaknesses. His comments on the colonial period and nationalist responses demonstrate an openness that clarifies and instructs.
