A grand old gentleman

I needed to know how the sunflower oil business works in Mbeya. They don't grow a lot of sunflowers in the area, the costs of seed seems high and the margins are slim. How did they survive? I was taken to Mr S and grand old man working in a dark airless shed, stacked with bags of seed in the middle of an industrial area.
He started by apologizing for his English - he had not spoken it in nearly 20 years; but of course it was flawless. He told me everything, where and when to buy seed, how to sell the "cake" - the seed hulls left after the oil is extracted. It was an honour to meet  and talk to such a grand old gentleman. He reminded me of my father. Then I realised that he is only three years older than me.