Having just turned 60 not too long ago, what was your greatest revelation of the 50s?
I think I had a lot more self-realisation in my 50s. In my 40s I was still hunting around. I left the UK for Japan and then to South Africa, where I started to gain a defined sense of purpose, began to understand there is privilege in working in an environment where you can make a difference. The other significant thing that happened in my 50s is that I adopted my daughter — we have a 50-year difference between us. That was a great thing. My 50s is also when I was diagnosed with cancer and to think of life and wonder if things will work out; will I get back to Nairobi or is this it?; and when I look back at my life, how do I feel about that?
