Picture: Goan Voice UK |
Queen
honours Mervyn Maciel (Bwana Karani)
The Queen
has honoured 88-year-old Mervyn Maciel – one of the world’s best known British
civil servants in Kenya and author of the delightful Bwani Karani and the companion book From Mtoto to Mzee – with an invitation to her annual Garden Party
at Buckingham Palace. So on May 23, Maciel, attired in a morning suit and top
hat (or lounge suit or a Kenyan national outfit), will front up at Buckingham
Palace at 3 pm with his daughter, Josey, on his arm. His wife Elsie is
ailing an unable to attend.
Maciel
has spent most of his life exposing the good, bad and ugly side of the former
Colonial Civil Service in Kenya. He is very respected by his former colleagues
and seniors for his honesty and his fairness in documenting life in some of the
most distant corners of colonial Kenya. Maciel suspects that the invitation
came on the recommendation of the
Secretary of the Overseas Service Pensioners’ Association but more because of
Maciel’s various contributions (books, countless articles) as a member of the
association.
In his
imitable fashion, especially when it comes to his personal glory, Maciel
usually down plays things. “Don’t know if anyone would want to know or care for
that matter,” he wrote to me in a personal note. I am sure as a respect Goan,
Kenyan and British, thousands will join me congratulating our favourite
“rafiki” (friend).
Maciel
and his daughter Josey will be among 8000 people who will be attending this
year’s party. Folks are invited for their services to the public or charity
work.
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