TRIBUTE TO HERBERT M’CLEOD
Herbert PRINCE M’cleod. Take note of the Prince for Shakespare wrote ‘when beggars die there are no comets seen, the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes’. This Prince, this Herbert Prince M’cleod is deserving of that quotation. The heavens are already blazing forth his death and the heat is still being felt throughout the world in almost every continent.
Herbert, or to his close friends, Cloud, was a unique person. He had the unusual gift to making everyone important, everyone special, as if you are the most important person to him.
I met Herbert over 60 years ago at the Sierra Leone Grammar School. He had entered a year before me into the Preparatory Class, usually referred to as Prep. I don’t think anyone below the age of 60 would have known about Prep. It is for those pupils who are either too young to start Form 1 or need extra coaching before entering the first form. So we both entered Form 1 at the same time and have been friends since. We travelled to form 3 and then I took the science stream in Form 4 and him the Arts stream. But that separation was only cosmetic as we remained good friends throughout.
I recall once when my parents travelled abroad and I was left with my Grandfather, Pa Palmer, at Kingtom. Herbert was at that time living at KingtomBridge by Berwick street. I usually leave home at 7am meet him on the way and join up with another friend Edward Martin and walk all the way to the Grammar School at Fourah Bay road. No buses, no Keke, no Okada. We just walked all the way and it was fun. We were only 11 years old at the time but these were the building blocks of a lifelong friendship.
Herbert started his career as a local staff member of UNDP in Sierra Leone, at the time located on the 6thfloor of the Bank of Sierra Leone. He eventually joined the international staff and never looked back. He worked in many countries mainly in Africa and rose through the ranks to the position of Resident Representative in 2 countries. If you were to ask those who worked closely with him the overwhelming consensus would be that Herbert worked hard and played hard. He loved life and loses no opportunity to enjoy himself. He was the guru in time management. I can never figure out how he fits so much into 24 hours.
Herbert who was hopeless in French in school virtually taught himself French to the level of operating in a Francophone country at the highest level. Such was his determination. He was a ‘can do’ person. Nothing is impossible for him.
Herbert was my best friend. But I don’t claim ownership to that statement as I am sure there are others who might feel the same. Such was the measure of the man. I would therefore say he was my brother. We had no secrets between us. We are both passionate about our alma mater and shared many interests. We even shared the love of an English Premier League heart-breaking team by the name of Arsenal. Even in his sick bed, whenever I called he would ask Selina to enquire about Arsenal.
Did they play?
Yes.
Did they win?
No.
The death certificate may have stated the final cause of death as a Heart Attack. I sincerely hope that Arsenal did not play a part in that.
Herbert may have started life in modest and humble surroundings but in his lifespan had transformed himself into a Colossus, a people’s person, a champion of what is right, what is just, and what is fair. His integrity was beyond reproach. He had the ability to analyse situations and problems, break them down into simple components and offer cogent solutions. Be it personal problems or National affairs.His ability to debate issues is well known in the Freetown Dinner Club and beyond, and his negotiating skills were legendary.
These qualities transcended the political divide as his talents were sought by both red and green as well as international bidders. It may be that this willingness to help, to contribute to development, to assist others far and wide could have led to his untimely demise.Yes untimely indeed. No one expected Herbert to leave us so soon. It is a lesson to us all that tomorrow is not promised.
Herbert will be missed by his family yes, by friends like myself yes, but also by the people he may have met only once or twice because he leaves an impression and for that he will be remembered by many.
May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine on him.
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