ABSTRACT
A Colonial Officer’s tour of duty was of three years’ duration from time of arrival in the territory, so mine was to end at the beginning of July 1961. Officers were then entitled to six months’ paid leave back in Britain. I did not openly admit to myself that, when I went back to Britain, I would not return to Northern Rhodesia. But in my heart, I knew it was so, that indeed not to return was the most sensible decision I could make. For one thing, Independence was clearly not far off, although, like most, I thought it would come about ten years later than it did. I know that I would have been able to stay for at least one more tour of duty and would most likely have been promoted to District Commissioner. David Mukimwa and some of the Kasempa Native Authority Councillors had told me that, as far as they were concerned, I would be welcome to stay after Independence (that capital ‘I’ concept). However, at some point, the Africans would want to be completely masters in their own house, and a career change would have been forced upon me. Better to leave now.
