Jamaicans Encouraged to Draw Inspiration from Sir Alexander Bustamante’s Life and Legacy

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, on Monday (February 24), encouraged Jamaicans to draw inspiration from the life and legacy of National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, and work together to contribute to building a better future.

She was delivering remarks during a floral tribute ceremony commemorating the 141st anniversary of Sir Alexander’s birth, at National Heroes Park in Kingston.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, headed the dignitaries and officials attending the event.

A similar ceremony was held at the birthplace of post-Independence Jamaica’s first Prime Minister in Blenheim, Hanover.

Minister Grange saluted Sir Alexander, describing him as “exceptional” for his wide-ranging contributions in Jamaica’s journey to Independence and beyond.

She noted that while preparing her speech, she thought about the similarities and contrasts between Jamaica’s Independence project and its current quest to become a Republic nation.

“Jamaica achieved independence from Britain in 1962 and became an example to the entire world because of the way we were able to do it. Indeed, as the British House of Lords met to debate the Jamaica Independence Bill in July 1962, there were frequent comments about the remarkable way that Jamaica had gone about securing its independence in unity, peace and with leadership of the highest quality,” Minister Grange said.

She highlighted the outpouring of accolades on Sir Alexander Bustamante and his cousin, National Hero, the Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley, as they worked in unity to ensure there was peace during discussions about Jamaica’s independence.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I suggest that this is a moment to reflect critically on how well we have carried on the work of our forefathers, ‘Busta’ and Manley, who understood that ‘one hand can’t clap’ and that ‘many hands make light work’,” Minister Grange stated.

“How will history record our contributions at this time? Will it say, like Sir Alexander, that we sought to work together and to unify? In this man, Bustamante, we have been given an example to follow,” she posited.

Ms. Grange urged Jamaicans to follow Sir Alexander’s example of service and sacrifice, while drawing on his words from 1962 to influence current behaviours.

“His command to the nation at Independence in 1962 still echoes… I quote: ‘Come then, let us, thanking Almighty God for this great day, go forward together into the future with faith, with courage and dedication. Let us resolve always to help those less fortunate among us’,” the Minister said.

“Let us resolve to work together under the law to build a Jamaica which will last and of which we and the generations to follow may be proud, remembering that, especially at this time, the eyes of the world are upon us,” Ms. Grange further stated.