116 years ago
Sir: A somewhat belated (The Spectator takes time to reach this former out-post of Empire) comment on the 'One Hundred Years Ago' column in your issue of 21 April — the anniversary celebration of Dr Meyer's 'conquest' of Mount Kilimanjaro last year produced the remarkable fact that the Mwini Amani, the Pangani who had accompanied him, is still alive and living in 'It seems a lot of people want to spend more time with their families.' his village on the slopes of the mountain. His age is estimated at 116. Mzee Amani, in a long interview with the local press, recalled the expedition, added that his pay had been minimal and bemoaned the fact that a robbery of his house some years ago had bereft him of his British Empire Medal which he had been awarded sometime in the 1950s. He also commented on the lack of respect for the aged among the young of today. There is little to be done about the last but the High Commission is in the process of obtaining a replacement BEM which will be presented to Mzee Amani soon. M. A. Kyle
FCO (Dar es Salaam), King Charles Street, London SW1
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