Milton Margai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Milton Margai
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| 1st Prime Minister of Sierra Leone | |
| In office 27 April 1961 – 28 April 1964 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Sir Albert Margai |
| Chief Minister of Sierra Leone | |
| In office 9 July 1954 – 14 August 1958 |
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| Leader of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) | |
| In office 1951–1964 |
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| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Sir Albert Margai |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Milton Augustus Strieby Margai
7 December 1895 Gbangbatoke, Moyamba District, British Sierra Leone |
| Died | 28 April 1964 (aged 68) Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Resting place | At the Sierra Leone House of Parliament compound Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Political party | Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) |
| Profession | Medical Doctor |
Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai (December 7, 1895 – April 28, 1964) was an important doctor and politician from Sierra Leone. He led his country as its top leader from 1954 until he passed away in 1964. First, he was called the Chief Minister from 1954 to 1960. Then, he became the first Prime Minister in 1961.
Milton Margai studied medicine in England. When he returned home, he became a strong supporter of public health. He also started the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and was its first leader. He helped Sierra Leone become an independent country in 1961. He died while still in office at age 68. His brother, Albert, became the next Prime Minister. Many people in Sierra Leone liked and respected Milton Margai for his calm way of leading and his friendly personality.
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Early Life and Education
Milton Margai was born on December 7, 1895. His birthplace was a village called Gbangbatoke in the Southern Province of what was then British Sierra Leone. His parents were from the Mende group. He was the oldest of eighteen children. At that time, Sierra Leone was ruled by Britain.
His father, M.E.S. Margai, was a successful trader. His grandfather was a brave Mende warrior chief. Milton Margai went to primary school at the Evangelical United Brethren School. He then graduated from the Albert Academy in Freetown.
In 1921, Margai earned a history degree from Fourah Bay College. He then went to medical school in England. He became a medical doctor in 1926 from Durham University College of Medicine. He also studied at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. He was the first person from the protectorate (the part of Sierra Leone ruled by Britain) to become a medical doctor. Milton Margai also enjoyed playing the piano, violin, and organ.
Medical Career
Milton Margai returned to Sierra Leone in 1928. He had a great career working for the Colonial Medical Service. He worked in many different districts across the country. He taught people about health and hygiene.
Improving Women's Health
Margai helped train healthcare workers. These workers then taught female community leaders from the Sande, a traditional Mende women's group. The Sande group shared important knowledge about helping women give birth.
In 1948, Margai wrote about his success. He explained how he set up training camps for young women joining the Sande. These camps taught them about hygiene and home skills. He believed that if approached correctly, these traditional groups would be open to new health information.
Working with local women's groups, Margai helped add health lessons to special ceremonies for young women. He also trained midwives and wrote a guide on midwifery in the Mende language. The women he trained were called "Mamma Nurses." They were highly respected for their skills in helping with childbirth.
Political Career
Starting in Politics
Milton Margai began his political journey in the 1930s. He became a member of the Protectorate assembly, representing the Bonthe area. By 1950, he was leading the Sierra Leone Organization Society.
In 1951, Margai started the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). This party wanted Sierra Leone to become independent. The SLPP won the election that year. After leading departments like Health and Agriculture, Margai became the Chief Minister in 1954.
The SLPP won elections again in 1957. However, his younger brother, Albert, challenged his leadership in 1958. Albert later formed his own party but rejoined his brother in a government in 1960.
Road to Independence
Milton Margai believed Sierra Leone would be better off as an independent country. In 1951, he helped create a new constitution. This document started the process for Sierra Leone to become free from British rule.
In 1953, Sierra Leone gained more power to govern itself. Margai was made Chief Minister. The new constitution created a parliamentary system for Sierra Leone. It was officially adopted in 1958.
Margai led Sierra Leone's team at important meetings in London in 1960. These meetings were with the British Colonial Secretary. On April 27, 1961, Milton Margai led Sierra Leone to become independent from the United Kingdom.
The country held its first general elections on May 27, 1962. Margai was elected Sierra Leone's first Prime Minister by a large number of votes. His party, the SLPP, won most of the seats in parliament.
Margai then worked to bring together Sierra Leone's different ethnic groups. Some groups felt they were not fairly represented in the SLPP. To help with this, Margai gave important government jobs to leaders from northern ethnic groups.
As Prime Minister
Milton Margai was Prime Minister for only three years. But he was a very important leader for Sierra Leone as it became a democracy. He worked hard to unite the country and build a national identity. He also wanted Sierra Leone to be a member of the British Commonwealth.
Margai was critical of colonialism. But he also gave credit to some good colonial administrators. He said that if more of them had been like certain people, colonialism would have had a better reputation. He also praised some referendums held by Leslie Probyn.
Margai wanted to have good relations with the British government after independence. He felt genuine respect from the British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan. Margai was respected by many Sierra Leoneans, even those who could not read. They admired his ability to explain things clearly. Local chiefs also supported him because of his work for independence.
Margai focused a lot on making the country more modern. He improved education, health, and agriculture. He allowed local councils to lead many improvement projects. However, these councils were still accountable to the central government. Margai sometimes held back money from councils controlled by the opposition party.
When Margai became Prime Minister, the British still controlled Sierra Leone's army. Slowly, Margai gave more control to Sierra Leoneans. By 1964, the army had officers from many different ethnic groups. After Margai died, his brother Albert took power. Albert tried to make the army mostly Mende.
Legacy
Today, many Sierra Leoneans remember Sir Milton Margai as an honest and principled leader. They look back at his time in office as a period of peace and success. In 1964, Sierra Leone released new coins. All of them featured pictures of Margai.
Sir Milton Margai School for the Blind
In 1961, Margai asked for money to build a school for blind people in Freetown. In 1962, he laid the first stone for the building. The school's motto is: "We cannot see but we will conquer." In 2006, the school was featured in a three-part TV show on BBC News. The school's choir has also performed in the UK twice.
Milton Margai College of Education and Technology
In 1963, the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology was started. It was first called the Milton Margai Teacher's College. As the school grew and offered more subjects, its name changed. In 2000, it joined with the Freetown Technical Institute.
See also
In Spanish: Milton Margai para niños
- Sierra Leone People's Party
- Sir Albert Margai
- Charles Margai
- List of Durham University people
