Barbados - Road to Republic by Nation Publishing Co. Limited

Sunday, November 28, 2021

PRIDE OF NATIONHOOD! Like others around the globe this year, our nation has been met with unprecedented challenges. During this time the people of Barbados have remained steadfast, honoring all that it means to be Barbadian. Through it all, we have joined together in strength and unity to ensure the continued prosperity of our island. We reflect with pride on the many contributions that Barbadians from all walks of life have made to our unique heritage and historic progress. Their many acts of ingenuity, generosity and patriotism have paved our way forward. Unicomer Barbados Limited is proud to celebrate Barbados’ 55th year of Independence and looks forward with great expectation to all that our nation and its people will achieve for many years to come.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE BARBADOS!

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Introduction

by Nick Nunes “SHINE bright like a diamond,” indeed. The mega hit by Rihanna is a stand out tune to apply to the bright future of Barbados. From discovery by the Spaniards in the 15th century and the changing of ‘ownership’ of the island over the years, the long sorted associated with the British monarchy, independence under a constitutional monarchy, to having the metaphysical chains of the past fully broken by becoming a sovereign republic—“Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy,” speaks perfectly to the gleaming future ahead. Barbados has always had a big voice. Never has this island been one to quietly coo in the background as the business of the world is carried on. Whether it is voicing concerns about the current state of our polluted world or advocating on behalf of the entire region for access to aid in dire times, Barbados most certainly has a voice. Throughout history, Barbados has even been described as a “recalcitrant colony” as in 1651 when Barbados Governor Lord Francis Willoughby

convened the legislature and declared independence from the crown as a means to push back against England seeking are overbearing control of the island. Of course, independence wouldn’t be achieved until 1966—but the fire burned and the spirit endured to execute this early will and desire for selfdetermination. In addressing this revolutionary decision, Prime Minister Mia Mottley stated, “After 396 years of British rule, and probably just over 386 years of British monarchical rule…the time has come for us to express the full confidence in ourselves as a people and to believe that it is possible for one born of this nation to sign off finally and completely.” With this decision to remove the old shackles of colonial governance, even through the nominal ‘constitutional monarchy’ façade, Mottley assured that the country’s path forward should no longer be “signed off on by those who are not born here, who do not live here, and who do not appreciate the daily realities of those who live here”. “This is about being able to use this as the springboard that we as a nation need in order to

confront a completely different reality,” she added. November 30th, the Independence of Barbados shall also be the swearing in of its first President Dame Sandra Mason who had represented the Queen domestically as Barbados’ eighth governor general. According to President Elect Mason, “Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.” Barbados is a home to deep and treasured history and known as a place of revolution and endurance. Historical Bridgetown and its Garrison are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the island is peppered, out of proportion with its size, with cultural and history beyond its brief history. According to Prime Minister Mottley, “This simple but profound act today will give us the courage to know that we can meet all manner of man or woman as equal persons…The right to be able to chart the destiny of a people and to stand up and to defend them against all the odds is a sacred right which we claim on behalf of our people. Barbados shall move forward.”

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – December 2020

AZAI RAZIEL WILKINSON weighing in at six pounds ten ounces, was the first baby delivered on Christmas Day to mum Ria Husbands. (FP)

JANEIL ODLE, the first blind student to gain an exhibition, also became the first blind attorney in Barbados when she took her place in the Supreme Court on December 18. (FP)

Bridgetown Port cops top award • THE Bridgetown Port Inc. copped the Novaport Cup for Most Improved Port Performance beating eight other ports from the region. • It was decided during adjustments contained in the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2020, debated in the House of Assembly, that future Governors of the Central Bank would be appointed for a six-year term, rather than indefinitely. • Reduced revenue and higher credit default led to a $317.4 million loss for FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited. • It was recorded that Barbados spent $1.2 million to ensure it would be one of the first countries to receive an approved vaccine for 20 per cent of the population. • Moravian pastor Reverend Dr Cicely AthillHorsford became the first female chairman of the Barbados Christian Council (BXC) • Janeil Odle, the first blind student to gain an exhibition and the first student from the Irving Wilson school to gain entry at one of the island’s older secondary schools, also became the first blind attorney in Barbados when she took her place in the Supreme Court on December 18. • British War Veteran, Sir Tom Moore, aged 100, visited the island as a guest of the Barbados Marketing Tourism Inc. Moore caught the attention of the world when he walked 100 laps around his home at Maiston, Moretaine, Bedfordshire Gardens, English Midlands, to raise more than £30 million for Britain’s National Health Service. He was knighted as a result. • The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean predicted that Barbados could end the year grappling with an unemployment rate of 40 per cent. • Government compensated the relatives of 17-yearold Kyriq Boyce who lost his life in 2019 when he fell into a 100-foot well at the Pine Housing Estate. His parents Tanya Francis and Cedric Boyce received a total of $300 000. • Azai Raziel Wilkinson, who was born to Ria Husbands, and weighed six pounds ten ounces at birth, became the first Christmas Day baby.

• Penalties were in the pipeline for the Barbados Water Authority as the Fair Trading Commission voiced concern with the state-owned utility’s “generally poor” service delivery. • The 7 000-strong members of the Rastafarian movement said they would not be taking the COVID-19 vaccine. This was made clear by spokesperson for the Ichirouganaim Council for the Advancement of Rastafari Peter “Adonijah” Alleyne. • Government set out a tough seven-day COVID-19 plan to ring out 2020, effective December 30 to Jan 6. It was designed to enforce protocols and prevent congregating of excessive numbers. Included in the directives was a curfew time of 12 midnight to 6 a.m. Group gatherings on beaches were limited to 50 people; the number of those allowed to gather for

large events went from 250 to 150, and churches were told to stop worship by 11 p.m on Old Year’s Night. • Former Barbados Labour Party Member of Parliament and veteran broadcaster, Leroy Laurisford “Sweet Boy Leroy” Sisnett, passed away on December 26, aged 79. • Swimming legend David Maurice Foster, SCM, passed away on December 27.

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – January 2021

Island records covid community spread • FOR THE FIRST TIME since beginning its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, Barbados was said to have a “super spreader” event which resulted in 45 people, the majority being prison officers, who attended a bus crawl party on Boxing Day, contracting the virus. • A 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was put in place from January 2. • Barbados welcomed four newborns on New Year’s Day. Deidre Lewis, 38, gave birth to the first baby girl at 3:32 a.m. at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She was followed by Tyeisha Small, 22, who welcomed her daughter at 4:24 a.m, and Jaleesa Rice, 25, who welcomed her daughter at 8:29 a.m. Nadia Prescott, 37, delivered the only boy at two minutes before noon. • Judy “Nelo” Redman, 70, of The Garden, St James, died in a house fire on New Year’s Day. • Government further tightened restrictions within the COVID-19 protocols after the country recorded 194 cases of the virus within a 48-hour period – January 2 to January 3. On January 2, Attorney General Dale Marshall disclosed that in addition to the then 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, effective January 2 until January 14, a ban would be placed on face-to-face religious services, parties, recreational or competitive sporting activities, social events and vehicular excursions. • No one was allowed to enter or leave Her Majesty Prisons Dodds for two straight

weeks up to mid-January, due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases at the penal institution. • By its own measuring stick, Barbados was classified as a high-risk jurisdiction for infection by the COVID-19 virus by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George. • British model Zara Holland, 25, former Miss Great Britain appeared in court on January 6 to face charges of breaching COVID-19 quarantine protocols. She was charged $12 000, and released on $20 000 bail. Holland’s boyfriend Elliott Love, 30, was also later charged and fined. • Health authorities introduced tracking bracelets to prevent persons in quarantine from roaming around. Ross University School of Medicine students were the first to be outfitted with the bracelets. • Caribbean hotelier and businessman, Jamaican Gordon “Butch” Stewart, 79, creator of the Sandals Resort brand, passed away on January 4. • Extradition charges were filed against Ingrid Innes, former chief executive officer of the Insurance Corporation of Barbados (ICBL), who was charged in 2019 by the United States Department of Justice with three counts of money laundering and bribery along with co-accused Barbadian Alex Tasker and convicted Government Minister Donville Inniss. • Government extended its 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on January 14 until month

end to permit more contact tracing as the island grappled with increased numbers of COVID-19 cases. • Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Attorney General Dale Marshall, Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic and five medical professionals were among the first on the island to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. • Elene Meta Walkes of Belleplaine, St Andrew, celebrated her 107th birthday on January 16. • Edna Lewis of Westmoreland, St James, became Barbados’ newest centenarian on January 17. • The US National Action Network presented Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles with its Martin Luther King Jr 2021 Global Award For Peace and Freedom for his global advocacy for reparatory justice, equality and economic development for people of the African diaspora. • Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Cedella Marley, chief executive officer of the TIFF Going International received the Legacy Award and The Chancellor Award for Excellence respectively, at the 24th Annual The Legacy continues gala awards of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies. • Well-known jazz pianist, Ebe Gilkes, 90, passed away at the St Philip District Hospital on January 16 • On January 24, Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic declared that Barbados had finally reached the stage

THE SCENE AT HMP Dodds last December as authorities grappled with the news that a number of prison officers had tested positive for COVID-19 after a bus crawl on Boxing Day. (FP)

where there was community spread of COVID-19. • Barbados-based Caribbean journalist Ian George Alleyne passed away on January 23. • On January 26, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley informed she would place the island on a national pause (15day reset) from February 3 to 17, as the country continued its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that the dreaded United Kingdom variant of COVID-19 had reached Barbados. This second lockdown did not go down well with most businesses. • Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes reported that the economy had contracted by a near 18 per cent in 2020 and that Gross Domestic Product contracted by an estimated $1.54 billion in 2020, meaning that Government was now managing an $8.85 billion economy. Tourism’s contribution fell by more than $1 billion, when compared to 2019’s $1.41 billion activity. • Government said it would distribute 60 000 care

packages to the vulnerable from February 9 to help them through the two-week lockdown. • Canada banned all flights to the Caribbean on January 29, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to discourage international travel and curb the spread of COVID-19. • Pioneering, Kittitian-born Hollywood actress CicelyTyson passed away on January 29 at the age of 96. • Barbadians were urged to stay indoors with the roll out of Operation Seek and Save as Government went door to door in search of people infected with the COVID-19 virus. • Barbados recorded its first COVID-19 double deaths within hours of each other on January 31 when a 55-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman passed away at the Harrison Point isolation facility. Their deaths brought the death toll from COVID-19 to 14, with seven deaths occurring in the last two weeks of January.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – February 2021

• BARBADOS went on a 15-day lockdown from February 3, as the island recorded increased numbers in COVID-19 cases. Barbadians were told to wear masks in public, shop only during special times of the day, not roam the streets at their leisure, and stay at home except in cases of emergencies. • Barbados welcomed its first female agricultural chief with the appointment of Chief Agricultural Officer Keeley Holder, whose appointment took effect from February 1. • Close to 8 000 entrepreneurs and micro business owners were said to have applied for financial aid promised by Government to tide them over the twoweek island shutdown from February 3 to17. • Britain’s Captain Sir Tom Moore, who lifted a nation’s spirits during the onset of COVID-19, by raising £32,794,071 for Britain’s National Health Service died on February 2, aged 100. Moore had visited Barbados in December 2020, during a special trip organised by the Barbados Marketing Tourism Inc. (BMTI). • Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn assured pubic workers there would be no job cuts in the public service sector, despite an 18 per cent contraction. • Government offered rebates ranging from US$100 to US$350 per night to visitors who stayed in approved accommodations between December 24, 2020, and January 31 and whose second PCR COVID-19 test took longer than three days to be

processed. • Barbadian Caucasian businessman Clifford Corbin apologised to black Barbadians after a video of him using the N-word and speaking in a derogatory manner about black people was released on social media. • The international cricket fraternity was thrown into mourning on February 6 with the death of former West

The Shipping Association of Barbados Celebrates with the Government & People of Barbados On this monumental occasion.

55th Anniversary Our

Independence

and our transition to becoming a Republic.

Hip hip hooray!

Indies bowler Ezra Moseley, 63, who died following a vehicular accident along the Adams section of the ABC Highway at its junction with Providence Road, Christ Church. • Bajans were urged to stop and pray at noon on February 7, for divine intervention to combat the deadly COVID-19 virus that had claimed 11 lives for

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – February 2021

CENTENARIAN Gileon Lescar Carrington of Crab Hill, St Lucy, celebrated his 102nd birthday on February 20. (FP)

the year up to February 7, and 18 lives since 2020. • Prime Minister Mia Mottley received the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine on February 9. The first 100 000 vaccines arrived from India, with an additional 70 000 which were placed aboard a Regional Security System (RSS) aircraft enroute to Dominica, as a gift to that country from the Barbados Government. • The first public vaccinations were given on February 10 to public health officials, nurses, a batch of students from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, and a small compliant of soldiers from the Barbados Defence Force (BDF). • Government’s relief programme, which aimed to distribute 60 000 care packages, began on February 9. The packages were delivered by members of the BDF. • It was a sad Valentine’s Day for a Christ Church family after one of their own, dancer Andrew Ellis, 27, a Jamaican, was found hanging in his home at Windy Ridge, Christ Church. • Barbados lost its first front-line worker to COVID-19 when a nurse, who had been a patient at the Harrison Point Isolation Facility succumbed to the virus on February 14. • A nine-year-old girl was the latest and youngest to die from COVID-19 on February 14. The number of deaths stood at 28 for the year to date. • The body of 19-year-old Tyrique Norville was found hanging from a rafter at his home in Crab Hill, St Lucy on February 17. • A mandatory stay-at-home order was extended for the February 18 to 21 weekend by Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic to bring Barbados’ COVID-19 numbers under control. • Barbadians Trevor and Pamela Headley who have been providing free home-cooked meals to a homeless shelter every week for more than a decade, were rewarded by Queen Elizabeth II and named the winners of the 71st Commonwealth Points of Light Award in honour of their exceptional voluntary service. • Ryan “Mouse” Morris of Godding’s Road, Station Hill, St Michael was burnt to death when his car hit a tree on February 17, at John Beckles Drive, St Michael. • Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Lingerie line was said to be worth US$1 billion. • Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes advised Barbadians to be wary of financial schemes such as “blessing circles”, to exercise caution and seek financial advice first. • Centenarian Gileon Lescar Carrington of Crab Hill, St Lucy, celebrated his 102nd birthday on February 20. • Distinguished Barbadian and Caribbean jurist Sir Lisle Austin Ward QC, 85, passed away on February 22 at his Springvale, St Andrew home. • The European Union officially reversed its controversial tax-related blacklisting of Barbados. • Supercentenarian Melville Williams of Lonesome Hill, St Peter, celebrated his 111th birthday on February 21. • Tourism industry veteran, hotelier Hamish Watson, passed away on February 27.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – March 2021 • BARBADOS partially reopened to business on March 1 after a month-long shutdown. • The University of the West Indies (UWI) vice chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles disclosed that the UWI was taking its brand to the financial market with the launch of a $60 million bond; that an offshore medical school would be constructed at the UWI St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago; and that the Barbados Government had cleared its multimillion-dollar debt owed to the educational institution. • It was reported by the UN Women Deputy Representative Tonni Broder, that Barbados recorded an approximately 83 per cent increase in reported incidents of domestic violence in the first two quarters of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. • Officials of the National Insurance Scheme reported that after paying out a combined $176.8 million for unemployment and severance claims in 2020, they had already disbursed $3.1 million in unemployment benefits for January 2021, and the 2021 initial unemployment claims were higher than previous years. Last year the NIS received 52 282 unemployment claims and paid out $155 million which was higher than in 2019 ($49.3 million), 2018 ($38.1 million) and 2017 ($32.8 million). • The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) took its Caribbean subsidiary off the chopping block after two failed attempts to sell the majority shareholding. • The House of Assembly passed the Drug Abuse (Prevention And Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which now allows for the imposition of a penalty of $200 on anyone found by the police with 14 grammes or less of cannabis. • Companies and individuals resident in Barbados were said to have more than $71.3 million legally stashed away in foreign currency accounts here.

www.hindstransport.com

MINISTER in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn (third right) receiving the donation from president of the BCCUL Hally Haynes (second right), while (from left) co-coordinator of the National Vaccination Programme Major David Clarke, BCCUL general manager Anthony Pilgrim, BCCUL general secretary Susan Fitt and co-coordinator of the National Vaccination Programme Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand (right) look on. (FP)

• The business sector was all smiles on March 11 after Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley ended two weeks of a limited phased commercial opening of the country. • Barbados reached the 50 000 mark in its national vaccination programme on March 11 at 4 p.m, according to Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley. • On March 11, Guyanese-born Conrad Thomas, 56, who resided in St James, died on his way to work from a seizure, after boarding minibus B189 in St Silas, St James. • The world’s No.1 ranked test all-rounder Jason Holder, 29, was sacked as West Indies Test cricket captain and replaced by his Barbadian compatriot Kraigg Brathwaite, 37. • Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Santia Bradshaw disclosed that plans were in motion to make every senior position across the public service contractual. • The shocking image of a 14-year-old girl lying naked on a cement floor in a solitary confinement cell at the Government Industrial School (GIS), Barrows, St Lucy, so angered Marsha Hinds-Layne, Board member of the school and president of the National • Continued on next page.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – March 2021 Organisation of Women, that Hinds-Layne vowed to take legal action. The teenager was eventually released on $10 000 bail and removed from the GIS on March 20. Days later the entire Board of the GIS, which was chaired by Reverend Joseph “Johnny” Tudor was dismissed, and a new board headed by Reverend Dr Lucille Baird, was appointed. • Bicyclist Melanie Watts, 36, of Maxwell Gardens, Christ Church, became Barbados’ second road fatality for the year when she died following a road accident along Maxwell Road, Christ Church, on March 12. • After being on lockdown for almost six weeks, due to COVID-19 restrictions, salons, stores, barber shops, gyms, stylists and aestheticians opened their doors on March 15. • Millicent Cummins, of 8th Avenue, New Orleans, St Michael, became the country’s newest centenarian. • Champion track and field coach, Frank Eric “Blackie” Blackman, 85, passed away on March 20. • Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said the island saw a reduction of just under $2 billion in economic activity in 2020 over the previous year, due primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic. • Ritre Alleyne, 21, of Eastbourne No. 1, St Philip, became the island’s third road fatality for 2021 when the bicycle he was riding collided with a car along Eastbourne Main Road and its junction with Castle Heights on March 22. • Businessman Hamenauth Sarendranauth, 47, passed away on March 23, the same day he was due to reappear in court on COVID-19 charges. He had pleaded guilty to contravening the Emergency Management COVID-19 Protocols Special Curfew No. 3 Directive 2021, by being the owner of a nonessential service, he failed to remain closed on February 14 and 16. He had been imprisoned and was released three weeks later in a wheelchair. His family threatened to sue the state. • Government disclosed that a National Vaccine Fund launched in mid-March had reached $7 million within a week of its launch. • Government said it was paying $65 million per year to rent privately-owned properties to accommodate public servants forced to relocate from ageing Government buildings.

JASON HOLDER, 29, was sacked as West Indies Test cricket captain. (FP)

MILLICENT CUMMINS (centre), of 8th Avenue, New Orleans, St Michael, became the country’s newest centenarian. (FP)

10E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – April 2021

La Soufrière erupts THE La Soufrière volano eruption in St Vincent and the Grenadines was the latest natural event to challenge the Caribbean. (FP)

As we celebrate our 55th year of nationhood, we stand on the threshold of great change. Never in our history have we faced so many unprecedented challenges at once. However, we will not be daunted by any difficulties ahead. Rather we will be empowered to evolve, to learn and adopt new methods for success.

Becoming a Republic will further solidify our status as a free and independent country. Whatever the future may hold for us, we will forever be shaped by our national pride and industry, and made greater by the strength and unity of our people.

From the Board, Management and Staff of the National Insurance Department,

Happy Independence Barbados! Website: www.nis.gov.bb nisbarbados

nisbarbadosbb

NISBarbados

• CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER Dr Kenneth George said Barbados was at the point where it could be declared that the country no longer had COVID-19 community spread. He said there were no active clusters, a situation which a month earlier, was a major headache for the Ministry of Health. • As the Easter weekend approached, Dr Carissa Etienne urged people in the Caribbean grappling with COVID-19, to stay home. This followed Attorney General, Dale Marshall’s decision to put the island on a partial lockdown over the Easter weekend, with exceptions made for the essential services, restaurants, businesses selling food, and a few activities, including churches, to operate within restrictions. • Irish airline Aer Lingus announced plans to start a direct flight from Manchester, England, to Barbados in October 2021. Barbados was said to become the airline’s first Caribbean destination. • Former Government minister Donville Inniss, who was convicted in the United States in 2020 on money laundering and conspiracy charges asked Judge Kiyo Matsumoto in the Eastern District Court of New York for a “reasonable sentence”. Inniss was later sentenced on April 27 to 24 months in a United States federal jail and an additional 24 months on supervised release. His date with jail started on July 30. • Photojournalist, Barbadian Clyde Jones, passed away in New York on April 3, after a prolonged illness. • Daryll Jordan, 85, former educator and principal of the Daryll Jordan Secondary School, (formerly the St Lucy Secondary School), passed away on April 3. • Two top Barbados tourism officials, Head of Global Markets at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Petra Roach and Grantley Adams International Airport deputy chief executive officer Terry Layne, both quit their posts. Roach went on to head the Grenada Tourism Authority • The body of Dwayne Carrington, 40, of Bryan Road, Welchman Hall, St Thomas was found in the Westbury Cemetery on Easter Monday. • Junior Glenroy Campbell, 45, of Parish Land, Christ Church, was found dead in his home on April 5. • Stressing that she was pleased with the decrease in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley told Barbadians on April 8 that she would ease up restrictions which had been put in place, and open up the country, though not fully. • Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, commended Barbados for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic. • On April 8, St Vincent and the Grenadines started to evacuate 11 000 people from the red zone of that

• Continued on next page.

11E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – April 2021

Bajan graces Gucci runway • From Page 10E .

that country which was under imminent threat of an explosive volcanic eruption of La Soufrière volcano. • As La Soufrière erupted on April 9, Barbadians were told to brace for toxic dust. For weeks, Barbadians fought to clean their homes, businesses, surroundings and vehicles as the volcano sent ash thousands of miles into the air and to Barbados. • Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, passed away on April 10, at the age of 99. • Guyanese national Tamesh Ramdas, 22, was gunned down along Sugar Hill Road, St Joseph on April 9. • The body of Shakem Joseph, 19, of President Kennedy Drive, St Michael, was found at Mayers Land, Richmond, St Michael, on April 10. He had been shot to death. • Principal of the Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School, Jennifer Phillips, passed away on April 18, after taking ill while at church. • Many Barbadians got their second dose of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine beginning April 19. Ash fall from the St Vincent La Soufrière volcano had delayed that phase of the national vaccination

programme which was due for commencement on April 10. • Barbados lost one of its oldest citizens when Eilene Meta Walkes, 107, of Belleplaine, St Andrew, died on April 13. • Tremaine Kemar Hurley, 28, of Pleasant Hall Land, St Matthias, Christ Church, died on April 19, after receiving multiple wounds with a knife or cutlass not far from his home. • Anglican priest and former radio host Reverend Andrew Hatch passed away on April 21 at the age of 91. • Barbadian Keyla Harewood 22, became the first Barbadian to walk the runway for the renowned international brand Gucci.

• President of the Democratic Labour Party Verla De Peiza, originally from St Lucy, announced she would be contesting the St Lucy seat in the next General Election. She had previously unsuccessfully contested the Christ Church West seat in 2013 and 2018. • Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir announced that Barbadians from all walks of life would be given the opportunity to own shares in the Ministry of Agriculture’s sugar industry transformation initiative. • The Cane Vale, Christ Church, community was in shock following the apparent suicide of teenage father, Kodia “Kody” Hoyte, 19, who was found hanging at his home on April 27.

2021

A Momentous Year 1921-2021

Goddard Enterprises celebrates its 100th Anniversary From humble beginnings in a small meat and grocery store in Bridgetown, Barbados in 1921, to operations throughout the Caribbean, as well as in North, South and Central America in 2021, we at Goddards are grateful to everyone who has been a part of our success over these 100 years.

1966-2021

Barbados celebrates its 55th Anniversary of Independence In 1627 after the first English landed in Holetown, the island became a British colony until Barbados achieved Independence from Britain on November 30th 1966.

2021

Barbados embarks on the Road to a Republic This is an important step for the country, which has had Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State since Barbados’ Independence in 1966 and Barbados will install its first President as the Head of State this year. A republic is a form of government in which power is held by the people

Congratulations Barbados

BAJAN MODEL Keyla Harewood on the runway at the Gucci fashion show. (FP)

12E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – May 2021

BACK TO SCHOOL

General workers, janitors and grounds people were out in full force to rid school plants of the volcanic dust so that children and teachers could return to face-to-face classes Monday, May 2. The COVID-19 pandemic and ash from the erupting La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent pushed back the reopening of school. From dusting and wiping desks and chairs, chucking out old furniture, power-washing grounds and disinfecting bathrooms, workers were enthusiastic in their efforts. Here, at Wesley Hall Primary School in King Street, The City, Rawle Jarvis and Romario Welch scrubbing down one of the concrete playing surfaces to make it safe for staff and Class 3 and 4 to return. (FP)

Upward and Onward we shall go... Here’s to #55 and the road ahead. Happy Independence Barbados!

Church outbreak cause for concern • THE National Cultural Foundation (NCF) disclosed that up to the end of April, the agency had spent BDS$4 million helping artistes hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. • According to a Central Bank of Barbados report, Government earned $146.3 million less in personal income tax during the last financial year compared with 2019/2020 and $28.3 million less in this year’s first quarter than in 2020. The report also revealed that an estimated 18 500 Barbadians were unemployed at the end of December, with the unemployment rate standing at 13.6 per cent. • Concerns were raised by health officials after close to 30 members of World Harvest Ministries International – a northern church in Speightstown, St Peter – tested positive for COVID-19. • The long-standing practice of automatically dismissing people from the public sector once they recorded a criminal conviction was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court of Barbados. • Leader of the Opposition Bishop Joseph Atherley and President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Verla De Peiza questioned the need for the newly-created Public Affairs Department which they said was clashing with the work of the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS). • Government said it had collected over $2 billion in taxes for the fiscal year ending May 31, while paying out over $472 million in tax refunds during August 2018 to May 2021. • Police shot and killed Tresanee Goodridge, 19, at Chapman Lane, St Michael, during a police-involved shooting. • David Blenman, father of Private David Nicholas Blenman, 26, of Golden Mile, St Peter, begged the court to give Jamar Antonia Pile, 30; Pile’s sister Faith Angelica Pile, 25, and Faith’s boyfriend Shaquan Sherwin Omar Crichlow, 23, maximum penalty for murdering his son. The three pleaded guilty to murdering Blenman whose naked body was found at Foul Bay, St Philip, between November 30 and December 1, 2016. • Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George urged Barbadians to keep wearing their masks even if they were fully vaccinated, since persons fully vaccinated could still contract the COVID-19 virus. • Health officials said fake reports of people suffering from adverse effects including blood clots after getting the AstraZeneca vaccine was making it difficult for them. • The Ministry of Finance revealed that in the financial year ended March 31, pandemic-related expenditure had reached $166 million, including $25.1 million for COVID-19 vaccine purchases and associated costs. • Javonne Andre Jalani Moise, 21, of Dash Valley,

• Continued on next page.

13E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – May 2021 • From Page 12E.

GOVERNMENT WAS SAID to have spent $1million in the national cleanup campaign following the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. Above, workers gathering the ash along the Brandons section of the highway. (FP)

St George, drowned at the Hot Pot, Brighton Beach, St Michael, on May 9. • NATION columnist Mohammed Iqbal Degia, 42, passed away in the United States on May 10. • Government was said to have spent $1 million in the national cleanup campaign following the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent during the month of April. • Five Barbadian athletes were named to compete at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan. There were hurdlers, Shane Brathwaite and Tia Adana Belle, quarter-miler Jonathan Jones, and sprinters Mario Burke and Sada Williams. • A lawsuit brought by Grenville Phillips II, head of the political party Solutions Barbados, challenging the appointment of Leader of the Opposition Bishop Joseph Atherley was thrown out of court on May 12. • A robbery by a man dressed as a woman left staff of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank at Wildey, St Michael, all shaken up on May 13. • Veteran hotelier Robert Jeffrey “Jeff” Kinch, 78, owner of Dover Beach Hotel, passed away on May 14. • Two men dressed in white hazmat suits opened fire at Bellevue, Waterford, St Michael, on May 19, killing Erwin Thomas, 49 and injuring two others. • Long lines were seen at gas

sleeprite@caribsurf.com info@sleepritebarbados.com

Tourism slogan sparks outrage stations on the eve of the Whitsuntide weekend as owners of gas stations across the island vowed to stop operations over the Whitsuntide May 23 and May 24 weekend. This came three days after Attorney General Dale Marshall insisted that automarts, a critical part of the gas station convenience, would remain closed on Sundays under the COVID-19 emergency directives. • Acting Station Sargeant Newton Lewis, of Rose Hill, St Peter, was gunned down by three gunmen on May 22, as he responded to a cry for help coming from a nearby shop in his district. • A historic win by 17-year old Zane Maloney in the Formula Regional Grand Prix of Monaco on May 23, was hailed as Barbados’ greatest moment in motor racing. Maloney captured Race 2 of the Formula Regional European

Championship by Alpine. • Local draughtsman Kent Layne created history on May 23 when he won Group D of the Scottish Masters Zoom Open Draughts Tournament defeating Tony Gallager of England. • The body of Rupert Dacosta “John” Alleyne, 88, was found in his Babylon, Road, St Andrew, home on May 28. Alleyne was killed by a relative. • Following lots of criticism and public outrage over the controversial proposed tourism slogan – Little Island, Big Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announced that a team of Bajans on a new committee, Destination Barbados Reboot Panel, would be working on a new slogan. • Menelik Shabazz, 67, the Barbadian-born director and writer who forged a path for black film-makers in the United Kingdom, passed away on May 28 in Zimbabwe.

eyrie@bcc.edu.bb

14E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – June 2021

• T EN artistes involved in a controversial Trojan Riddim Mix Music video that many condemned as promoting gun violence came under heavy fire from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, media personnel the general public, the business community and members of the clergy. The ten were Li’l Rick, Peter Ram, Mole, Screwface, Mallis, Lead Pipe, Brutal Cranskstar, Chiief Diin, SK and Quan De Artist. • F ormer stand-out athlete Andrea Blackett cleared another hurdle as coach by capturing the Women’s National Assistant Coach of the Year title on the American Division 2 university circuit. Blackett was honoured after helping Azusa Pacific lift the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Women’s Track and Field title. • Pri me Minister Mia Amor Mottley asked the Joe Biden administration for five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. • Ba rbadian Neil Scantlebury, 55, became the first

Barbadian in the history of the Roman Catholic Church to be ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgetown during an ordination ceremony on June 11. • Re cords showed that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) had paid out $16 million in unemployment benefits for the first four months of 2021. • Ba rbados on June 7 welcomed the Celebrity Millennium cruise ship, the first to visit any port in the Western Hemisphere since a 15-month worldwide hiatus in cruising because of the COVID-15 pandemic. • T he Central Bank reported a $24 million profit, but officials said a $1.6 billion hole remains in its finances more than two years after Government’s domestic debt restructuring. • Po lice had to be called in on June 8 to keep the peace at the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) after a meeting of the National Council came to high words, with some irate members even having to be

pulled apart. The union had been embroiled in turmoil in a battle for its leadership, amid talks of making President Akanni McDowall the first secretary general. • Actor, director, violinist and broadcaster, Clairmonte Taitt, 88, passed away on June 9. • Three men – Corey Antonio Morris, 43, of Egret Drive, Graeme Hall Park, Christ Church; Jim Ron Fenty, 26, of Down Hill Drive, Eden Lodge, St Michael, and Jason Shamin Blenman, 27, of Powder Road, Station Hill, St Michael, were sent to Dodds after being accused of murdering Acting Station Sergeant Newton Lewis on May 22. • Retired police officer, Grenville “Floats” Cumberbatch, 68, of Rose Hill, St Peter, was found dead in his backyard. • Calypsonian, The Mighty Liar, real name Victor Reid, aged 72, of Rock Dundo, St James, died on June 16.

and on the occasion of our nation becoming a Republic

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Email: lesmithfuneralhome@gmail.com

15E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – June 2021

• Wanted man Kiastan Hallen Clarke, 27, alias “Notchy”, of 2nd Avenue, Green Hill, St Michael, was killed during a police shoot-out at Lower Gills Road, St Michael. • A freak weather system which brought lots of thunder, winds and heavy rains, affected the island on June 17, leaving significant damages to homes and some businesses. Some families lost everything. • Cricket legend Cuthbert Gordon Greenidge was formally knighted on June 18 by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason. • George Keith Williams, 52 of Bourbon, St Lucy, died on June 20 – Father’s Day – following a vehicular accident the day before near Speightstown, St Peter. • Former national athlete and track and field coach, Mike Gaskin, passed away on June 21 at age 64. • Myrtle Marshall-Beckles of Mannings Land, Bank Hall, St Michael became the island’s newest centenarian. • The Supreme Court shot down a request from more than 60 students seeking judicial review of last year’s Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and CAPE results and the format in which the 2021 examinations were processed by that body. • Amber Joseph, 21, struck gold at the Pan American Track Cycling Championship in Peru when she won the women’s 40-lap scratch race ahead of Mexico’s Victoria Velasco and Alexi Costa of Trinidad and Tobago. • Up and coming dance hall and soca artiste, Shem Cummins, 29, of Deacons Farm, St Michael, was shot and killed on June 25, while at Deacons Road. He was the son of local entertainer, Dale Rudder. • Lionel “Bill” Johnson, 76, well known retired Royal Barbados Police Force detective, passed away on June 27. • Cannon Dr Llewellyn Armstrong, 84, prominent theologian, who served at different churches in North America and in Barbados, died at his Brooklyn, New York home on June 27. • Menelik Shabazz, 67, the Barbadian-born

director and writer who forged a path for black film-makers in the United Kingdom, passed away on June 28 in Zimbabwe. • Attorney at law Warren Mottley, brother of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on June 29 at the age of 55. • Some 15 000 Barbadians were given the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine following the arrival of 30 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China on June 29.

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THE MIGHTY LIAR in 1979 when he was crowned calypso king. (FP)

16E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – July 2021

• BARBADIAN Dr Anthony Fields, a renowned oncologist and leader in cancer care, created history when he was elected to the post of chancellor by the MacEwan University, Alberta, Canada. • Category 1 Hurricane Elsa left a trail of destruction across the island on Friday, July 2. Many lost their roofs, trees were uprooted and houses completely destroyed. Many families were left without electricity and water for several weeks. The hurricane wreaked havoc on crops and some small farmers reported significant losses and damages to their properties. Figures later showed that some 2 177 houses were damaged or destroyed during the hurricane. • Dominica’s first Prime Minister Patrick John, 83, passed away on July 6 in Dominica. • Government’s clean-up bill for the ash fall from the April 9 eruption of La Soufrière was said to be over $22 million. Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Marsha Caddle later disclosed there was an estimated $87 million fallout from the volcanic ash on Barbados. • Regional leaders condemned the killing of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, 53, who was assassinated at his private residence on July 7. • Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said he was not surprised that the Alpha variant of COVID-19 was fairly commonplace in Barbados. • Mark Anthony Watson of Durants, Christ Church, became the eighth person to die on our roads following a collision along the Adams section of ABC Highway between the area of Henry Forde Roundabout and Bannatyne Road junction, Christ Church, on July 10. • Neighbours Keith Allen, 32, and Lamar Blades, 32, both of Wildey, St Michael, died during a collision with another car along Bank Hall, St Michael, on July 11. • British visitor, Phyllis Money, 80, was found dead on the floor of the women’s bathroom of the 6 Mix Bar, Worthing, Christ Church, on July 10. • Due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Government on July 11 reintroduced a daily 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. • Janice Mitchell, 58, of First Avenue, Chapman Lane, St Michael, passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 13, after her house was set ablaze on July 10. Both Mitchell, her daughter Keisha Mitchell, 40, (who passed away between August 2 and August 3 at a Florida hospital) and Keisha’s one-year-old daughter, were also injured during the blaze. Keisha’s former partner, Brian O’Neal Browne, 33 of Eastbourne, St Philip was later charged with the murder of the two women. • Kedar Holloway’s body was found at Ashdeane Village, Black Rock, St Michael, on July 14. Holloway, 36, resided at Sunnyside

17E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – July 2021

THE ONE-YEAR Barbados Welcome Stamp Programme introduced last year was said by Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins to have netted $8 million. (FP)

Court, Deacons Farm, St Michael. • Moody’s Investors Service said that while Barbados’ debt had climbed and revenue contracted, there was no need to downgrade Government’s credit rating. • Attorney at law Vonda Pile, of Madison Terrace, Deacon’s Road, St Michael, was sent back to jail on July 16 by the Court of Appeal to finish serving a three-year sentence for stealing her client Anstey King’s money between April 29, 2009, and October 26, 2010. • A Barbados Statistical Service report showed that there were 20 000 or 17.2 per cent Barbadians unemployed up to the first quarter of the year. • Omar Rommell Boxill, 35, of Streats Road, Flagstaff, St Michael, was gunned down in the Constitution Bus Terminal on July 19. • The body of Grantley Maynard, 77, who was said to be homeless, was discovered in a phone booth at Independence Square on July 20. • Government said it would move to reduce the $140 service charge being paid by some regional counterparts to $70, the amount charged to passengers travelling to CARICOM states. • The one-year Barbados Welcome Stamp Programme introduced last year was said by Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins to have netted $8 million and was extended for another year. • Former Government minister Donville Inniss, 55, began his two-year sentence for money laundering in a Texas, United States federal prison, on July 20. • Barbados’ oldest person, Melville Uriah Williams, of Lonesome Hill, St Peter, passed away on July 21, at the age of 111. • Centenarian Leotta Cuffley, celebrated her 102nd birthday on July 23. • The Day of National Significance to commemorate the 1937 riots was marked on July 26 during an event at Jubilee Gardens, The City. • Phillip J. Pierre was elected Prime Minister of St Lucia on July 28, after St Lucians rejected Allen Chastanet, former prime minister, who served just five years – one term. • Barbados’ lone living National Hero, Sir Garfield Sobers, celebrated his 85th birthday on July 28. • The Barbados 2021 Secondary Schools Entrance Examination took place on July 28, after being postponed by months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes disclosed that the economy had grown by 5.5 per cent – the first evidence of growth since being pummelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

celebrates Barbados'

55 th year of Independence and salutes the Government and people of Barbados as the country becomes a Republic on November 30th 2021

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – August 2021

Rihanna reaches a billion • KEISHA MITCHELL, who along with her mother Janice Mitchell and her one-year-old daughter suffered severe burns to her body on July 10, when their home was set ablaze, passed away in a Florida hospital on August 3. Her mother had passed away three weeks earlier. Brian O’neal Browne, 33, of Eastbourne, St Philip was later remanded for the murders of both women. • Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George raised concern about the number of COVID-19 clusters on

the island. • A High Court judge ruled that Leroy Parris, 76, former chairman of CLICO, who remained on a $1.5 million bail with two sureties, would have to answer charges relating to theft and money laundering. • Attorney at law, George Adolphus Bennett, 60, of Warners Gardens, Christ Church, and Guyanese national Dharma Rudradeo, 33, were remanded after being charged in a police $2 million drug bust. • Barbadian megastar Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty

was officially declared a billionaire by Forbes. Her mammoth wealth was said to be attributed primarily to her Fenty Beauty line of cosmetics and her lingerie company Savage x Fenty. • The body of Peter Douglas Prescod, 55, of Greenidges, St Lucy, was found at the bottom of Agent Bay, Cluffs, St Lucy. He had reportedly fell off a cliff while fishing. • While the Delta Variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus was detected on the island, Chief Medical Officer Kenneth George said there was no community spread. • Barbadian quarter-miler Sada Williams shattered the 43-year-old national record of Lorna Forde and narrowly missed out on the Women’s 400 metres final on August 4, during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. • Driver Richard Newton, 66, of Sealy Hall, St John,

• Continued on next page.

RIHANNA MADE AN appearance on the green runway as she debuted her Savage lingerie line. Rihanna was officially declared a billionaire by Forbes. (FP)

19E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – August 2021

Curious passers-by were drawn to this steel structure in St George. General manager of Light Gauge Solutions, Philip Allsopp, and his team are working on the steel home at Workmans. The contractor has embarked on a project erecting properties using the galvanised metal instead of the usual brick and wood. Allsopp is touting the benefits of the material as, among other things, termite and Category 3-resistant. (FP)

Hike in meat, poultry prices • From Page 19E. lost his life after being involved in a collision with a bus on Pilgrim Road, Christ Church, on August 6. • Close to 2 000 people marched through Bridgetown on August 7 protesting against mandatory and coerced vaccinations. • Doreen Worrell Boyce of Black Rock Main Rock, St Michael became Barbados’ newest centenarian on August 8. • On the eve of her 16th birthday, Adara Stoddard broke the 16-year national swimming record in the 15-16 Girls’ 100 metres breaststroke during the National Long Course Championship at the Aquatic Centre of the Garfield Sobers Complex on August 8. • Desmond Alexander Taitt, of Maxwell, Christ Church, died from an apparent suicide on August 11. • Jermaine Alexander Bourne, 31, was fatally shot on August 12 while walking along Horse Hill, St Joseph. • More than 70 000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Barbados courtesy of the United States government. • Akanni McDowall, 41, withdrew from the race for president of the National Union of Public Workers citing political interference designed to undermine his candidacy. • A hike in feed price saw Barbadians paying more for chicken, eggs and meat. • Businessman and racehorse owner, Elias Haloute, 79, passed away on August 16. • Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw was appointed the island’s Chief

Education Officer. • Sanitation Service Authority driver Damien Lynch, 35, died on the spot at Cleland Hill, St Andrew, when his truck was involved in an accident with a motor car. • Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announced on August 21, that Governor General Dame Sandra Mason was nominated to become the first President of Barbados. • Gordon Proverbs, 72, of Brighton, St Michael, collapsed and died along the Mighty Grynner Highway on August 22. • Barbados received about $261.6 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to further help in the COVID-19 fight. • Government said it would be importing 150 prefabricated emergency houses from China to “jump start” and boost its response to residents whose houses were affected by the freak storm of June 17 and by Hurricane Elsa on July 2. • National Hero Sir Garry Sobers, 85, received the Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame in Connecticut for his lasting and profound impact on cricket. • Lee Bowell, 39, of Rose Hill, St Peter, died following a vehicular accident at the junction of KNR Husbands Highway and Church Street, St Peter, on August 27. • Convicted attorney Vonda Pile, already serving a sentence for theft of a client’s money, was committed to the High Court on another theft charge when she appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court.

kit@gwsbarbados.com

20E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – September 2021

MARK MALONEY filed a lawsuit after he was scammed of over US$10 million. (FP)

• ERRINGTON Ricardo Shurland took up his new post as the Barbados Defence Force’s sixth chief of staff, effective September 1. • The special bubble introduced in July allowing regional visitors to enter Barbados with reduced restrictions was discontinued as the COVID-19 Delta variant continued to be blamed for the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths. • Officials at the Regional Security System (RSS) gave the assurance that they were doing all they could to combat the issue of cyberattacks and other non-traditional crime which were on the rise in the Caribbean. • The Barbados Advocate was said to be caught up in litigation following the death of its owner and major shareholder, Sir Anthony Bryan. Reports indicated that Sir Anthony’s three sons brought separate proceedings in the High Court challenging their father’s will and all of his assets, which include the newspaper, BBS radio station and town houses at Astoria Gardens, St George. The legal matter affected the payment of salaries for employees in August and a reduction in the newspaper’s editions. • A massive amount of subletting was uncovered at the Fairchild Street Market, The City, with persons who were paying $40 per month for stalls, renting out their places to others for

JEREMY AND MELISSA BROWNE and their son Jeremiah were all smiles after receiving his results in the 11-Plus. (FP) $400 to $600 per month. • Kemar Grazettes, 33, died on September 3, following a shooting incident on September 30, near Arsenal Playing Field, Jackman, St Michael. • Romario Antonio Clarke, 27, of Risk Road, Fitts Villages, St James, was on September 3, charged with murdering his brother, Jamar

Corbin, 34, on August 25. • Ailine Viola White of Baycroft New Road, St Michael, celebrated her 100th birthday on September 4. • Health officials assured Barbadians that there was no shortage of oxygen on the island. • Elena Bohne of the Ursuline Convent School was named

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21E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – September 2021

the top girl and top performer in the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination, while Jeremiah Browne of St Stephen’s Primary School was named the top boy. They both secured places at Queen’s College. • Shae Antoine Hackett became Barbados’ 20th unnatural death for the year when the Dunlow Lane, Bay Street, St Michael resident was shot dead at St Paul’s Avenue, Bayville, St Michael, on September 7. • Government Senator Lucille Moe returned to the House of Assembly on September 8, after an eight-month absence, and called for a remote sessions of the House. • Former vice-president of the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited (ICBL) Alex Tasker was ordered extradited to the United States to face charges of money laundering by the District “A” Magistrates’ Court on September 8. • Sada Williams, 23, elevated Barbados with a stunning third-place finish in the final of the women’s 400 metres at the Wanda Diamond League. She created history as the first Barbadian woman to compete in the prestigious final. • The body of 75-year-old fisherman Joseph Harris was found floating at the Careenage in The City. • Veteran journalist David Ellis was appointed Government’s COVID-19 pubic advisor, amid much controversy. • Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Kerrie Symmonds joined the list of those condemning increased bank fees and cumbersome regulations for the use of automated teller machines (ATMs). The minister especially took umbrage to the decision by some banks to institute a withdrawal minimum of $50. • Despite a few technical hiccups, the new school year started on September 20 with online classes due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases. • Prominent businessman Mark Maloney filed a lawsuit in the United States after disclosing that he was scammed of over US$10 million in an attempt to procure one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for Barbadians. • Sarah Benjamin of Grandview, St Thomas, celebrated her 101st birthday on September 26. • Director of Medical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Clyde Cave, expressed alarm at the growing number of incidents of assault on workers at the health institution by patients. • Former televangelist Pastor Jippy Doyle, 52, passed away at the Harrison Point Isolation Facility on September 29, from COVID-19-related complications. • On September 29, Manager of the Isolation Facilities Dr Corey Forde sent out an urgent message specifically to church leaders – and by extension, Barbadians, to pray for the country, as health officials continued to battle the drastic increase in the number of COVID-related deaths and cases. By the end of September, 78 persons in Barbados had passed away from COVID-19.

BARBADIAN Sada Williams (right) finishing strongly to take third place in the Diamond League women’s 400-metre final, which was won by Quanera Hayes (left). (FP)

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados Inc., congratulates Barbados on Becoming a Republic. We are elated to be a part of paving the way for generations of Barbadians to have Healthy Lifestyles.

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Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados

The information provided in this Ad is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Both the actors and branded products featured in this Ad are entirely fictional and in no way intended to depict, represent, resemble or portray real people or products or their likeness.

22E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – October 2021 • DIRECTOR of Lionel C. Hill Supermarket and Hill Milling Co. Ltd, Richard Ashby, was asked by Chief Labour Officer Claudette Hope-Greenidge to withdraw a vaccination directive which was issued to staff that stipulated that only employees who presented a certification of vaccinations would be allowed to work at the two establishments. The company later severed three employees and a legal fight ensued for their wrongful dismissal. • Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic disclosed that Government was planning for the contingency of booster shots in the fight against COVID-19. • Barbados created history on October 4 when it became the smallest nation to ever host the four-day United Nation’s Conference on Trade and

info@barteachcredit.com

Development (UNCTAD 15) albeit, for the most part, in a virtual setting. • Barbados took another step towards establishing a direct air link with the African continent with the signing of an air services agreement with Kenya. This took place during UNCTAD 15. • Governor General Dame Sandra Mason was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws by Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies. • Ciara Devine, 38, from Ireland, who had been living in Barbados for three years, was found hanging from the rafters of a balcony at Maresol Apartments, St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, on October 1. • Former senior Mexican government official Genero Luna, was accused of hiding US$160 million in the Colombian-based offshore bank Occidental Bank of Barbados. • The peaceful community of Water Hall Tenantry Road, St James, was rocked on October 5 with the tragic death of Vitrose Hinds, 93, who died in a house fire. Her house was one of six damaged by the fire. • Government disclosed that over $14.6 million had been allocated to date, for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. • The Order of Freedom of Barbados Insignia was presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason for his efforts at forging stringing ties between Africa, Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean. • The High Court threw out a challenge brought by trade unionist Senator Caswell Franklyn and businessmen Adrian Kellman and Benson Straker. Franklyn had accused Government of illegally enforcing directives during the COVID-19 dictates; Kellman had challenged the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit’s closure of his popular Kermit’s Bar at Thornbury, Christ Church; while Benson and his business, Benson’s Minimart, had accused the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police of acting unlawfully in enforcing the Emergency Management (Amendment) Act. • Veteran entertainer Lord Radio, whose real name was Oliver St Clair Broome, passed away on October 9, at the age of 83. • The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry called on Government to make vaccines mandatory for all front-line workers, so too

BARBADOS created history when it became the smallest nation to ever host the four-day United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 15). (FP)

23E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – October 2021

RONALD TOPPIN disclosed that he was bowing out of elective politics. (FP)

did the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association who called for all workers in the hospitality industry to be vaccinated. • Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham announced that the judiciary was in receipt of a new system for the Magistrates’ Court which would allow maintenance money to be collected via an automatic teller machine (ATM). • Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley revealed that Government was in the process of introducing safe zones where vaccinated people can work, socialise and even entertain in an environment in which they would be less likely to be infected with the COVID-19 virus. • Miguel Taitt, 28, of Kendal Hill, Christ Church, was shot dead at Kendall Hill Road, Christ Church on October 15. • Centenarian Ursula CaddleSobers of Pie Corner, St Lucy, celebrated her 107th birthday on October 14. • Celestine Isadora Edey of Longford Place, Waterford, St Michael, celebrated her 100th birthday on October 16. • Member of Parliament and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. John King, announced on October 17 that he would not be contesting the next General Election. • United States former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, 84, passed away on October 18 from COVID-19 complications. • Dame Sandra Mason, 72, was elected as Barbados’ first President during a special joint session of Parliament which was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Wednesday, October 20. • Effective October 25, fully

vaccinated travellers were allowed more freedom of movement when the Ministry of Health announced they would only have to present a valid negative PCR test received within 72 hours of arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport. • Eleanor Charles of Clifton Hill, St Philip reached her 100th birthday milestone on October 23. • Veteran musician Nicholas Brancker, along with cricket legends Sir Cuthbert Greenidge and Desmond Haynes were conferred honorary degrees during the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus’ graduation ceremony on October 23. • Stephon Leacock, 23, of Sutherland, St Lucy, was killed by his younger brother Trey Leacock, 21, on October 23 at Maycocks Bay, St Lucy, during a dispute. • Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes announced that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 5.5 per cent but the country was still faced with financial challenges. • Barbadians were introduced to their new Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce, 62. • Member of Parliament for St Michael North and Minister of International Business and Industry Ronald Toppin disclosed on October 28, that he was bowing out of elective politics. • There were a total of 77 COVID-19 deaths for the month of October. As of November 1, the total number of deaths from the virus stood at 155. • Barbados’ overloaded health care system got a shot in the arm with the arrival of six nurses from the Barbados Nurses Association of America and 45 from Cuba.

24E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – November 2021

AIDAperla says thank you • NEWLY APPOINTED Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce took up office on November 1. • Centenarian Florence Mason of Bayley’s, St Philip, celebrated her 102nd birthday on November 2. • Arminta Harrison, of Pounder Road, Crane, St Philip, celebrated her 101st birthday during the month of November. • Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best said had it not been for the Harrison Point isolation facility in St Lucy, the number of persons dying from COVID-19 would be much higher. • The United States donated an additional 70 200 Pfizer vaccines to the Barbados Government. • A new Central Bank report showed that the tourism industry’s collapse and its subsequent slow rebound, had left Government with a near $1

billion financial challenge which an increased supply of foreign money was currently solving. • Winifred Welch of Johnson Land, Green Hill, St Michael, celebrated her 100th birthday on November 7. • Jill Walker, 94, creator of Walker’s World and Best of Barbados, passed away on November 7. • Young car racing driver, Kyffin Simpson Jr, 17, grandson of Barbadian businessman Sir Kyffin Simpson, captured the 2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship powered by Honda, in Austin, Texas on November 7. • Local producer R.L. Seale Barbados beat out a world-class field to claim the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSP) Rum Producer of the Year and for a third time, captured the coveted IWSC Spirits Producer of the Year. • More than 20 000

businesses were said to have failed to register in the Tax Administration Management Information System (TAMIS) of the Barbados Revenue Authority, introduced in 2018. • Government’s wages and salaries increased by $11 million through the current financial year. It totalled almost $375 million, with $7.5 million going to the temporary posts and newly created ones like the MINISTER OF TOURISM Senator Lisa Cummins and Captain COVID-19 Monitoring Unit and Boris Becker of AIDAperla walking hand in hand followed by the Public Affairs Department. crew and passengers, as Barbados welcomed back the cruise • Attorney at law, Roberta ship. (FP) Clarke, became the fourth Barbadian to be elected to the vessels that were stranded at FM Kids’ Gospel Challenge. Inter-American Commission on sea for several months of the • Captain of AIDAperla, Human Rights (IACHR). COVID-19 pandemic. Boris Becker and his crew • Close to a month after • Minister in the Ministry of were treated to an emotional celebrating her 107th birthday, Finance Ryan Straughn said “welcome back” reception Ursula Caddle-Sobers passed that despite a $600 million when the cruise ship returned away on November 11, at her reduction in revenue, a drastic to the Bridgetown Port on Pie Corner, St Lucy, home. downturn in economic activity November 17 with 1 600 • Eight-year-old Taraji and unprecedented payouts passengers. Becker spoke Odle became the youngest of unemployment benefits, of his gratitude to Barbados competitor to win Starcom the Barbados dollar remained for providing safe harbour for Network’s Digicel Life 97.5 strong. AIDAperla and other cruise

Sunday, November 28, 2021

25E

26E

Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Cricket 2021

By EZRA STUART ezrastuart@nationnews.com KYLE MAYERS’ majestic match-winning unbeaten double century in his maiden Test match against Bangladesh was the most memorable achievement by a Barbadian in cricket this year. Mayers orchestrated a sensational three-wicket victory with a marvellous 210 not out, which was decorated with seven sixes and 20 fours off 310 balls in 415 minutes as the West Indies successfully chased a winning target of 395 runs in Chattogram. The left-handed Mayers’ masterful knock was the highest fourth innings score in Asia and by a debutant in the history of Test cricket. West Indies also won the second Test by 17 runs to take the series 2-0 under the leadership of opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite. Burly off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican captured 14 and 10 wickets respectively to be the West Indies’ bowling heroes in the series. Brathwaite had been elevated to the captaincy after some of the first-choice players like then captain Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Darren

Bravo and Shamarh Brooks made themselves unavailable for the tour due to coronavirus concerns. The unlikely success in Bangladesh prompted the selectors to appoint Brathwaite as full-time Test skipper. He didn’t enjoy the same success in the two-match home series against Sri Lanka in Antigua as both Tests were drawn. The Windies swept the One-Day International (ODI) series 3-0 and won the T20 International series 2-1. Holder did not the let the loss of captaincy stop him from performing as he grabbed his eighth five-wicket haul in the first Test while experienced pacer Kemar Roach enjoyed a rewarding series with nine wickets. Brathwaite scored a century in the second Test while Mayers had scores of 45, 52, 49 and 55 as the series ended in a stalemate. The West Indies were then humiliated by South Africa, losing both Tests as the batsmen failed to cope with the visitors’ pace attack in St Lucia. The Kieron Pollard-led side also lost the five-match T20 series 3-2. With Pollard injured, his deputy Nicholas Pooran captained the regional T20 outfit to a 4-1 series triumph over an under-strength Australia side with

KYLE MAYERS was the find of West Indies’ cricket in 2021 after he set a number of batting records with a masterful, match-winning second innings knock of 210 not out against Bangladesh. (FP)

BARBADIANS Hayley Matthews (left) and Deandra Dottin meeting in mid-pitch during their century stand were outstanding for the West Indies in the 3-0 series triumph against Pakistan. (GP)

leg-spinner Hayden Walsh claiming 12 wickets. Australia won the ODI series 2-1 with Walsh taking a five-wicket haul in the third match at Kensington Oval. West Indies drew the Test series against Pakistan 1-1 in Jamaica as 19-year-old rookie Trinidadian Jayden Seales took his maiden five-wicket haul in Jamaica and then held on with Roach for a nail-biting one-wicket first Test victory.

The West Indies lost the only completed match in the rain-ruined T20 series against Pakistan. Roach has so far had a rewarding year with the ball, capturing 27 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 22.44. Holder has 21 wickets at 21.61 in seven Tests and also scored 355 runs • Continued on next page.

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Cricket 2021

HAYLEY MATTHEWS starred with her batting in the middle order and with her off-spin bowling to earn the Player Of The Series award. (FP)

with two half-centuries at an average of 29.58. Brathwaite has been fairly solid with 597 runs in nine Tests at an average of 33.16. Mayers has exactly 600 Test runs in nine matches at an average of 35.29 so far this year and also showcased his swing bowling skills, snaring 13 scalps at an average of 24.15. Chase also had enjoyed an outstanding all-round performance for losing finalists St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League T20, which was won by hosts St Kitts/Nevis Patriots for the first time. Barbadian left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes was the hero for the Patriots, scoring a matchwinning 48 not out in the final and capturing 16 wickets in the CPL. Chase was the leading batsman with 446 runs at an average of 49.55 and strike rate of 144.33. He also proved his worth with the ball, capturing ten wickets at an economy rate of 6.92 runs per over. Veteran Ravi Rampaul was the top bowler with 19 wickets, followed by Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith with 18 each. The rebranded Barbados Royals failed to qualify for the semi-finals after winning just three and losing seven matches. Chase was the lone Barbadian selected in the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He was later joined by Holder but the Windies were woeful, with four

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losses and a solitary victory against Bangladesh in their five Super 8 Group matches to bow out without advancing to the semi-finals. Veteran 42-year-old opener Chris Gayle continued his prolonged run of low scores and was among the team’s batting failures. All-rounder Dwayne Bravo also disappointed before again announcing his retirement from international cricket. The West Indies women, led by an outstanding allround effort from Player Of The Series Hayley Matthews and a responsible career-best 132 from Deandra Dottin white-washed hosts Pakistan 3-0 in the recent threematch One Day International series. Barbadians Rivaldo Clarke, Giovante Depeiza and fast bowler Johann Layne represented the West Indies in an Under-19 series which they lost to hosts England, whose joint captain was former Harrison College schoolboy Jacob Bethell. Locally, the 2021 Barbados Cricket Association was cancelled while only one series was played in the Barbados Cricket League after a spike in the positive COVID-19 cases in the country. There was no schools’ competitions for the second straight year The year also saw the passing of legendary West Indies’ batsman Sir Everton Weekes and former Barbados all-rounder Rawle Brancker.

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Athletics 2021

by ANMAR GOODRIDGE-BOYCE anmargoodridge-boyce@nationnews.com BARBADIAN senior athletes finally got back on track this year after a dreaded 2020 with little to no competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The athletes were definitely motivated, with the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympics being the main event on the calendar. Luckily, the coronavirus appeared to be a blessing in disguise as the International Olympic Committee allowed competitors who met the qualifying standards in the periods May 1, 2019 to April 5, 2020 and December 1, 2020 to June 29, 2021 to attend the July 23-August 8 showpiece. Eight local athletes represented Barbados in Japan: sprinters Mario Burke, Tristan Evelyn, hurdlers Tia-Adana Belle and Shane Brathwaite, quarter-milers Jonathan Jones, Sada Williams along with swimmers Alex Sobers and Danielle Titus. The wait for Barbados’ second individual Olympic medal continues as not a single athlete made it to the podium; however, the

BARBADOS QUARTER-MILER Sada Williams (second from left) running to the line in the semi-finals of the women’s 400 metres at the Tokyo Olympics. (FP)

performances of Belle, Jones and Williams left track and field fans optimistic ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games and World Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Williams won the hearts of Barbadians after finishing third and clocking a new national record of 50.11 seconds in the women’s 400 metre semi-finals. It was the fastest time in history to miss out on the final. She shattered Lorna Forde’s 43-year-old national record and the powerful run saw her at the front of the pack for the first 300 metres in a COVID-emptied Olympic Stadium, but the experience of eventual winner Stephenie-Ann McPherson of Jamaica and six-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix, who came second, shone through in the last quarter of the race. Williams had earlier run 51.36 seconds in heat one of the first round. Her stellar season continued on the Diamond League circuit with podium finishes in all three of her races starting with second places in Paris and Lausanne and capping it with third position in the final of the women’s 400 metres at the Wanda Diamond League athletics meet in Zurich, Switzerland. The 23-year-old created history as the first Barbadian woman to compete in the prestigious final but then capped it off with a podium finish, clocking 50.24 seconds in front of a packed crowd at the Letzigrund Stadium. The achievement prompted massive celebrations from Barbadians on the island and on social media, some of whom wore national colours.

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Athletics 2021

SADA WILLIAMS won the hearts of Barbadians this year after her recordbreaking run in the women’s 400 metres at the Olympic Games. (FP) NEW national men’s 100 metres champion Kuron Griffith also grabbed gold in the same event at the NACAC Under-23 Championship. (Picture by Kenmore Bynoe)

It was the fourth time in as many races that Williams surpassed the 51.35 seconds required to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon next year. Belle and Jones also qualified for the semi-finals of the women’s 400-metre hurdles and men’s 400 metres respectively. It was a disappointing campaign for Brathwaite, who was Barbados’ biggest medal hope based on reputation as the Pan American champion. However, he crashed out early, with a sixth place finish in 13.64 seconds. Burke had a heartbreaking baptism to the Olympic stage as he pulled up in his heat of the men’s 100 metres with a hamstring injury while Tristan Evelyn was sixth in the women’s 100 metres heats with a time of 11.42. Once again, the majority of junior

athletes were out of action as the CARIFTA Games, the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championships and the National Primary Schools Athletics Championships were cancelled. However, Barbados reaped plenty success at the NACAC Under-23 Championships winning five gold medals, one silver and one bronze at the meet. Rasheeme Griffith, Kuron Griffith, Jonathan Miller, Nathan Crawford-Wallis and Jonathan Jones all struck gold while Nathan Fergusson gained a silver and Jadon Brome, bronze. At the National Championships, Griffith staged the biggest upset by beating Burke in the men’s 100 metres. Matthew Clarke won the 200 metres while Rhea Hoyte captured the women’s equivalent. Jovanne Gustave was the winner of the women’s 100 metres.

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Football 2021

TRIDENTS TRAINING: Goalkeeping coach Bernard Howell (right) paying close attention as the Barbados footballers jog around the field in the Dominican Republic. (FP) by ANMAR GOODRIDGE-BOYCE anmargoodridgeboyce@nationnews.com LOCAL FOOTBALL remained on the sidelines for 2021 with the Barbados Football Association (BFA) unable to stage their annual domestic season due to the coronavirus pandemic. While the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Bundesliga which are regarded as the world’s biggest football competitions restarted, most of the island’s footballers were inactive for 12 months. In March, Barbados’ senior national football team returned to international action when their FIFA World Cup campaign started in the Dominican Republic. The Tridents were drawn in Group D with the likes of Panama, who qualified for the 2018 edition, Dominican Republic, Dominica and Anguilla. It was the first time since the pandemic struck that

EMILE SAIMOVICI scored his maiden goal for Barbados in a 1-0 victory against Anguilla. (FP) Barbados featured in international football. The team lost their opening match 1-0 to Panama compliments a late goal from Jair Catuy in a historic match at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium. A resolute defensive performance from Barbados was undone in heartbreaking fashion when substitute Catuy got on the end of a tantalising cross from Cesar Yanis to stare a header past Kishmar Primus in the 82nd minute, against the run of play. Despite the result, the performance was encouraging for local fans and appeared to be the start of a promising tournament for Barbados, but it wasn’t to be. The Tridents won their next game with Emile Saimovici scoring his maiden goal for Barbados in a 1-0 victory against Anguilla. It seemed to be the turning point, but consecutive draws against Dominican Republic and Dominica in June meant that another Barbados World Cup dream was over. Perhaps the Tridents, who finished

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third in the group could have claimed the second spot or even qualify for the next round after taking the lead versus both Dominican Republic, and they Dominica but lacked concentration and composure to see out the matches. Barbados predictably ended third with five points, but there was a high level of optimism after the competition heading into the preliminary stage of the Concacaf Gold Cup. The Tridents were just one win away from a first major football tournament and with a full cadre of overseas-based players like Nick Blackman, Hallam Hope, Curtis Hutson, Ryan Trotman and Krystian Pearce all available for the first time in the year, it felt like the long wait for Barbadian players to participate in an international competition would come to a historic end. • Continued on next page.

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YEAR IN REVIEW – Football 2021

Instead, Barbados were thrashed and suffered their second worst defeat to date, losing 8-1 to Bermuda on an unforgettable night at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The result sparked widespread debate in the nation and prompted calls for head coach Russell Latapy and his backroom staff to be sacked and BFA president Randy Harris to resign. Since then, Barbados lost every single match in all competitions for the remainder of the year. In total, Barbados won one out of ten international matches in 2021 with the most recent disastrous campaign being the Concacaf Under-20 Qualifiers. Fitzgerald Carter’s junior Tridents were defeated 3-2 by Bermuda, 1-0 by Puerto Rico and fell 2-0 to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Despite two encouraging performances, the Barbados Under-17 girls lost 2-1 to Belize and 2-0 to Curacao on their quest to qualify for the Concacaf Championships. Off the field, Barbados was voted the best conducted squad in the Concacaf Nations League tournament. Junior footballers Devonte Richards, Tajio James and Cheyanna Burnett secured scholarships while teenage striker Abiola Grant completed a transfer from Kolorcity Kazincbarcika Sport Club in Hungary to Serbian Division Two club FK Radnicki Sremska Mitrovica. On the administrative level, former BFA junior vice president Omari Eastmond, junior assistant secretary Simeon Alsopp, treasurer Christian Renwick and two other executive council members O’Brien Smith and Carlos Jackman resigned from their positions in September.

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

by ANDREA KING

Sunday, November 28, 2021

The role of the arts in a republic

IF IT’S ONE SECTION of the population which has been vocal about Barbados’ total and complete liberty, it has been the artists. The themes of political freedom and national sovereignty have been sung, written and danced about for decades, particularly in the 20 years following Independence. Leading among those voices would have been Dr The Most Honourable Anthony ‘The Mighty Gabby’ Carter. “Long overdue,” was Dr Carter’s declaration about Barbados’ new republic status, and cited West Indian Politician as one of his works which reaches for Barbados’ republic status. That was one of the songs with which he won his fifth calypso title in 1985. “In creating that work I wanted to see the development of our country and our region. And in this new republic, I think more emphasis should be placed on the arts, and artistes should get more work in this country,” he said, adding that theatre should also play a bigger role. Producer of the enduring Laff It Off theatre series Cicely Spencer-Cross observed that the journey of Barbados’ theatre is Barbados’ journey THE Most Honourable Anthony ‘The Mighty Gabby’ Carter believes that to becoming a republic. in this new republic emphasis should be placed on the arts, and artistes “It is a quest for self-actualisation. A journey to should get more work in this country. (FP) claim ownership of a Barbadian/Caribbean reality. The journey does not begin and end with the replacement of the Queen’s representative or the replacement of all things “royal” but with a growth and expansion of our cultural heritage!” Spencer-Cross emphasised. “The road to republic is not a momentary event. It is a social, cultural evolution through which people of African descent gained greater autonomy – some through acts of rebellion and resistance, through which a sense of ownership and identity emerged. “The Artist Movement mirrored the society’s political and social journey. Pre-Independence our arts were dominated primarily by the white oligarchy. Not negating the other art forms of music, dance and visual arts, but I focus on theatre. Plays were primarily produced by the white ruling class. However, the dramas of the working class were predominantly the church dramas and tea meetings. “By Independence there were visions for cultural identity. We saw the emergence of a black consciousness, a quest for cultural ownership. No longer were we willing to accept images that were not part of our reality. No more daffodils. We yearned for the sounds of our oceans. We wanted to replace Bryon with Brathwaite. “We saw the rise of Black Nights and Yoruba House. We saw the Festival Choir producing Bimshire, there was Carifesta ‘72, (and in Barbados in ’81); the National Theatre Workshop Writers’ Workshop, Stage One Theatre, Laff it Off, Cross Caribbean Productions and a myriad of theatre companies. The content and concerns of the dramas were a reflection of the Caribbean reality, the Caribbean voice, the Caribbean story, Caribbean playwrights, Caribbean actors and directors.” A typical reflection is Tom Clark’s Growing Up Stupid Under the Union Jack, or In the Castle of my Skin all telling stories of our colonial past,” she observed. “A republic’s vision of the arts should include a national theatre and dance institution. It must be a cultural revolution where artists can earn a living from their craft – a republic in which the

arts is central to the educational system and that the arts are core subjects,” Spencer-Cross declared, adding that in this new republic the value systems and moral codes could be transmitted through the arts. Doyenne of community dance practice, Jennifer Sealy, Director of Dancin’ Africa agrees that the search for nationalism was encouraged since 1966, providing a platform for the development of a national cultural consciousness. “It was perceived that with Independence we were given the freedom to create our own emblems. Although we were independent of a sort, there was limited freedom as we were still tied to the British monarchy and it proved to be very difficult to gain respectability for the arts, especially artistic endeavours that did not mimic that of Britain’s. “By 2021 we are in a far better place. We experimented, empowered ourselves and very importantly we have embraced the notion that Barbados does have our own unique culture. We have and are still gaining international respect for every artistic genre we produce and share globally,” she said. “As a republic the role of the arts does not change. It is not much different from when we were a dominion. As a republic we have freedom of a different nature. We have no ties to any country, but to ourselves. Our role must be fuelled by the completion of the search for our own identity in every endeavour. “This is a quest that was initiated post-Independence. We must no longer be looking to nor borrowing from Jamaica nor Trinidad nor North America, even. We must continue to make our way in this world using our own talents and vision, using our own signature as we continue to establish and exhibit new modes of expression. “With the Republic of Barbados, one would anticipate a new flourishing of the arts. One would expect that our people would view the arts as a business; no longer a voluntary task, nor effort. Government could be moved to further encourage our culinary and agro-industries towards producing foods that are Barbadian and thereby making our nation more self-sufficient where feeding the nation is concerned. Every area of the arts must be able to generate income for the creatives, the artists and the economy. We must be developing audiences, readers, consumers who believe that our products are world-class and are willing to purchase and invest in our artistic fare. “The new Barbados should be propelled as a culturally focused and consolidated entity that reflects the talent, energy, solidity, sensitivity and unity of our people,” Sealy professed. A living testimony of the new Barbados is spoken word artiste Cyndi ‘Cyndi Celeste’ Marshall, who is the youngest member of the Republican Status Transition Advisory Committee (RSTAC), through which she contributed to the development of the Charter. Her caution on the approach to our Republic status is worthy of note in one who is just 25 years old. “In my most recent work, “Roadworks” I say: “We have to be careful we ain’t demonising democracy and making what is meant to be a step forward into a reversal of progress... So de path to we freedom ain’t just smooth on de surface. “That said, the role of arts is something that is fairly constant, I think. It’s usually a vehicle of education as well as entertainment, and especially in the uncharted territory of republic status for Barbados, we as artists should look to keep educating about what it means to be a republic. “But art is also a community conversation, so we should be looking to engage the public rather than seem as though we’re pushing an agenda. That way we as a community can negotiate what we want our country to look like, and what it looks like to be Barbadians,” Cyndi Celeste asserted. Agreeing with this perspective is stage and screen actor/ director, Levi ‘Levitance’ King. “Republic or not we are still a small island state and the role of the arts in a small island state remains the same – to give space and voice for the disenfranchised to be heard, to provide an escape for anyone who needs it, and to tell the stories of the culture from which the artistes originates. The role of the Barbadian artists in this new republic will be the same – tell our stories, make sure our people can enjoy themselves and make

sure other people know who we are through our art, whatever form that art may take,” he stated. Like Levitance, Akeem Chandler Prescod, aka StonedwithCupid, holds the view that the role of the arts in Barbados as a new republic, will remain the same. “The role of the arts will be CICELY SPENCER-CROSS (FP) the same, which is to reflect lived experiences in a what we now term a cultural product, and to entertain, and show the rest of the world what life is like in Barbados through different mediums. I think the arts are perfect to help define who we are and who we are not, by reclaiming certain Afrikan and Barbadian ways of being,” he said. StonedwithCupid’s new work was created on the theme of the new republic. It is called “An Uncomfortable Truth”. Lashawna Griffith, author and spoken word artiste, also thinks that artistes are communicators for the masses, and referenced calypsonians of the 80s and 90s who would have been that voice of and for the people. Her newest book ‘Melanin Drops’ focuses on reparations, which she said is the next logical step after becoming a republic. “The role of the arts will be no different to what would have been produced before republic status. The conversation needs to move beyond the republic into the quest for reparations. I can see the work being done by the Barbados Task Force on Reparations where they are pushing for the people to understand the significance between becoming a republic and the push for reparations because there is a connection between the two. “I know the Task Force has the social media campaign ‘My Trident is Broken’ and a Facebook page through which the sensitisation about reparation is also taking place towards understanding that the pursuit for reparations is the next step after becoming a republic. I’m all for the republic, but I do think there needs to be a further push to show the interconnectedness between the republic and reparations,” she opined. Griffith’s comments echo iconic visual artist Ras Akyem Ramsey, who shares the view that becoming a republic is one thing, but being completely free and disconnected is another. Aykem is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award in The Visual Arts for his body of work which reflects self-awareness, cultural and political disenfranchisement, and revolutionary ideals. “It is interesting that we are now able to dismiss the royal family as head of state and the subordinates representing them. Finally having an indigenous head of state is cosmetic because the old colonial laws are still there functioning negatively against the children of the new dispensation,” pointed out Ras Akyem. “There are still laws on the books preventing the playing of drums after a certain time. There are still a lot of laws that need to be erased from the historical memory of this new dispensation. We are dragging these things along with us into this new era. I’m not against being a republic; I’m saying it needs to be a complete step, complete the process. The revamping of the legislations that have worked against us and still work against us should have been done first – laws that impact economic opportunity, land distribution and ownership. “Until they are removed completely, we will not make great steps of progress into the future. Until we have a meaningful legal reform, the step into a republic is lipstick and rouge on the donkey face,” he asserted. • Andrea King is a member of the UNESCO Expert Facility for the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and the Director of the arts organisation Culture and Arts for Love and Living (CALL Barbados).

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

by ANDREA KING

Sunday, November 28, 2021

The role of the arts in a republic

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YEAR IN REVIEW – Swimming 2021 by NICK MAITLAND nickmaitland@nationnews.com AQUATIC SPORTS in Barbados faced their fair share of challenges in 2021, but swimming still had DANIELLE TITUS a productive year in the water as local swimmers set a new record enjoyed moderate success competing locally and of 53.85 seconds internationally. in the 100 yards Officials at the Barbados Aquatic Sports Association backstroke at the (BASA) were dealt a tough blow at the start of the year 2021 American with the postponement of both the 2021 CARIFTA Athletic Conference Aquatic Championships scheduled for March 26 to Championship April 7 as well as the Long Course Championships while representing which were due to be held in March. Tulane University. The CARIFTA Championships were eventually She also made cancelled in May with Barbados again selected to her debut at the host the 2022 edition next April. Olympic Games. ALEX SOBERS set a new national record of one minute, 48.09 Teenaged prodigy Danielle Titus was in enviable (FP) form as she represented Tulane University at the 2021 seconds in the 200 metres freestyle at the Olympic Games. (FP) American Athletic Conference Championship in seconds to eclipse Alexis Jordan’s old mark of one Sobers set a new national record of one minute, Dallas, Texas in February. The 19-year-old broke the minute 18.09 seconds. 48.09 seconds in the 200m in a sixth-place finish. He 100 yards backstroke record and set a new mark of The 29th edition of the BASA’s International finished seventh in the second heat of the 400m in a 53.85 seconds. Later, she captured the bronze medal Invitational meet brought the curtain down on a time of three minutes, 59.14 seconds. Titus was sixth in the women’s 200 yards backstroke in a time of one successful swimming season. At the end of the in her heat, clocking one minute, 4.53 seconds. minute, 59.25 seconds. Later in the summer, 20-year-old Antwahn Vaughan- three-day competition with some of the island’s most Another talented teenager in Alpha Shark’s 18-yearoutstanding junior swimmers, Pirates captured the Boyce became the third Barbadian to become a old Nkosi Dunwoody will soon make his mark on the Paralympian. Classified an S9 athlete, Vaughan-Boyce riches and repeated as champions after totalling college scene after accepting a four-year scholarship 1126 points. High Tide Sting Rays, led by Stoddard, competed in the 50m freestyle and placed second to the University of Indianapolis. He departed in clinched second with 1 089 points while Alpha Swim in his first heat. His time of 37.86 seconds was his August. Club took third with 719 points. personal best. This past summer, all eyes were on Tokyo for the Despite some hurdles including a positive COVID-19 Back on the local scene, the BASA successfully staging of the 2020 Olympic Games. Titus and 2016 test from a junior surfer following the meet, the hosted their Long Course National Championships Olympian Alex Sobers made the grade to represent extensive clean-up required following the eruption of at the Aquatic Centre in August. The usual top the Broken Trident at the Games. La Soufriére in St Vincent and the Grenadines in April performers were on display at the meet including Sobers competed in the men’s 200 metres and 400 and financial issues to be resolved, the BASA will be Danielle Treasure, Adara Stoddard and Dunwoody. metres freestyle while Titus, competing at her first looking to next year with renewed optimism. On the Stoddard shattered the 16-year-old meet record in Games, entered the heats of the women’s 100 metres top of their to-do list will be the hosting of the 2022 the Girls’ 15-17 breaststroke on the eve of her 16th backstroke. CARIFTA Aquatic Championships. birthday. She set a new time of one minute 17.71

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW – Surfing 2021

Joins in celebrating the achievements of the Government and People of Barbados on our

55th Year of Independence

THE BARBADOS surf team of (from left) Margot Tuach (manager), Josh Burke, Chelsea Tuach, Bruce Mackie, Che Allan, Chelsea Roett and Gabriella Gittens at the ISA Surfing Games in Surf City, El Salvador. (FP) By NICK MAITLAND nickmaitland@nationnews.com WHILE LOCAL surfers may not have tackled any Bajan waves over the past 12 months, vital international exposure has served some of our wave-riders well in their journey to the higher levels of the surf world. The highlight of the year was the chance at Olympic qualifying. For the first time in the Olympic Games’ illustrious history, surfing was introduced as a sport at the summer Games. Six Barbadians, Joshua Burke, Che Allen, Bruce Mackie, Chelsea Roett, Chelsea Tuach and Gabriella Gittens all journeyed to El Salvador in May for a chance to qualify to the Tokyo Games. Once the team arrived in Central America, Roett’s tournament almost ended before it began as she returned a positive COVID-19 test. Luckily, her re-test returned negative, and she was cleared to compete. On the first day of competition, Burke, Mackie and Roett advanced to the second round. Roett suffered a cut to her left cheek during competition but like a true warrior, she overcame another setback. Gittens and Tuach were not as successful in their opening heats and were sent to the repêchage round. Tuach made a strong comeback in the tournament and she, along with Burke, were the last Barbadians to be eliminated on the fourth day of competition. While their collective Olympic dreams were not realised, the group gained valuable points and experience in their bids to compete on the World Surf League’s Challenger Series and Championship Tour. At the start of the year, two Barbadians enjoyed their ambassadorial duties to the sport on behalf of the island. International Surfing Association’s (ISA) Barbados Ambassador Ocean Gittens, who holds a world junior rank of 32, officially

signed with surf apparel manufacturer Vissla Surf in April. The following month, renowned surfer and beach sports enthusiast Brian Talma kicked off his beach culture world tour with several events targeted at community engagement across several venues including Freight’s Bay, Bathsheba, and Silver Sands. Talma’s goal is to get more locals involved in beach culture to aid in its growth and preservation. Burke, Gittens, Roett and Tuach journeyed to North America in August to take part in the Jack’s Surfboard Pro at Huntington Beach. Burke finished second in the competition, narrowly losing in the final to American surf pro Nat Young. Tuach went as far as the fourth heat of the second round while Gittens and Roett failed to make it past the first round. Later that month, Gittens placed second in the Under-17 category at the National Scholastic Surfing Association Championships in the United States. He scored 9.07 in the final as he was defeated by Peruvian Alejandro Bernales, who scored 11.86. At summer’s end in September, Tuach and Burke attended the WRV Outer Banks Pro in 2021 in North Carolina. Burke was eliminated in the round of 16 stage, but Tuach reached the quarterfinal stage and finished fifth overall. Another fifth-placed finish for Tuach at the Nissan Supergirl Surf Pro later in the month, will contribute greatly to her bid to be on next year’s Challenger Series. Burke is currently engaged in this year’s WSL Challenger Series and stands a good chance of advancing to the Championship tour but needs a semi-final placing or better at the last stop in Hawaii. After being eliminated in the first round at the first stop in California, He finished ninth at the second stop in Portugal but ended in 17th spot after the third stop, at the Quiksilver Pro in France.

May our nation continue to enjoy God’s blessings in the years ahead. FITTS VILLAGE

BAXTERS ROAD

SPEIGHTSTOWN

FAIRCHILD STREET

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As we continue to write our names on history’s page,

Happy 55 Independence Barbados.

Rt. Hon. Errol Barrow Independence 1966.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley Republic 2021.

Dame Sandra Mason First President-elect.

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YEAR IN REVIEW – Horse Racing 2021 by LINDON YARDE AS BARBADOS celebrates 55 years of Independence and the country prepares to embrace a move towards becoming a republic, the racing industry welcomed the emergence of another wonderful star in People’s Champ. The aptly named three-year-old colt by Happy Memories out of Lady Constance convincingly defeated his contemporaries in a sweep of the three Jewels of the Classic to land the Barbados Triple Crown. Owned by the Kids Syndicate and Stephan Narinesingh, the Andrew Nunes-trained colt was bred by the late Sir Charles Williams. The 12-times champion breeder Sir Charles, who passed away on Friday, November 19 and the colt’s connections were afforded the pleasure of celebrating local horse racing’s greatest accomplishment. The 2 000 metres Derby which ran off on October 30, almost under lights as was the case in last year’s race on Boxing Day saw People’s Champ dominating the race of the season. Contested for the first time without spectators, People’s Champ was given the perfect ride by leading jockey Rasheed Hughes. The pair sat mid-pack before taking up the lead at the two-furlong pole for a dominant eight and a half lengths triumph. People’s Champ’s second Jewel Midsummer Creole Classic success was also impressive as he shot clear at the top of the homestretch in the 1 800 metres event to win with something in reserve. In the 1 570 metres Barbados Guineas he set the tone for the Triple Crown as he split horses down the stretch to record a workmanlike victory. The Barbados Turf Club must take some credit for safely navigating the turbulent times caused by the

PEOPLE’S CHAMP and jockey Rasheed Hughes won the prestigious Barbados Triple Crown during this year’s horse racing season at the Garrison Savannah. (FP) coronavirus pandemic by staging 15 race days. The outstanding individuals to share the experience with People’s Champ are trainer Nunes, who is poised to end the run of eight consecutive triumphs by Victor Cheeseman as champion trainer and Hughes. Apart from sweeping the Classics, Nunes sent out the five-year-old Fab Five-owned bay colt Shane Doan, who has gone on a five-race winning streak. He

also trains heroine Queen of Pitons whose attempt for a fifth straight win saw her losing to the now deceased Speed Franco following her return from a slight injury setback. Another promising horse that set the track afire early for Nunes was Dominus from the powerful Sir David Seales’ Hopefield Stables. Dominus won three races on the trot before being stopped by Zagan. Nunes leads the way with 23 wins for earnings of $410, 396 striking at 20 per cent. Hughes still controls the jockeys’ room at the Savannah and is clearly on his way to a fifth title. He has passed the winning pole in front 23 times for earnings of $467,116 and a win per cent of 24. His Derby triumph astride People’s Champ and wins astride Zagan were outstanding. On the International circuit, Barbadians continued to make their presence felt, particularly at the Gulfstream Park, Century Mile and Fort Erie racing venues in Canada. In Florida, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr has so far grabbed two meet titles. First he won the Spring Summer meet with 71 wins before taking the Fall Meet with 36 victories. In Edmonton, Alberta, wonder boy Rico Walcott outclassed his roommates for a second year in succession to lift the jockey’s championship with 69 wins from 276 rides while accumulating earnings of $768, 069. Jockey Chris Husbands won the title in Ontario as he took command from the start to score 52 victories after going to post on 207 mounts that bankrolled him $616,873 at a win percent of 25.

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YEAR IN REVIEW – Motorsport 2021

by NICK MAITLAND nickmaitland@nationnews.com MOTORSPORT in Barbados for 2021 was slowed by a few speed bumps, but the Barbadian flag was still on full display on the European racing scene. Formula 3 driver Zane Maloney, 18, competed in the inaugural season for the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and finished fourth at the end of the campaign. His team R-ace GP swept the team standings as Maloney brought much fame and acclaim to Barbados with his impressive performances throughout the season. The former karting champion and 2019 British Formula 4 winner achieved his crowning moment of the season in May when he claimed victory at the Circuit Monte Carlo in Monaco in the third round of competition. Overall, it was a dream weekend for Maloney after finishing second in the previous day’s race. He became the first Barbadian to taste victory on the historically difficult track and catapulted himself into Barbadian motorsport history. Numerous dignitaries and racing royalty congratulated Maloney on his achievement including Minister of Sport Dwight Sutherland, motorsport linchpin Ralph “Bizzy” Williams and businessman, the late Sir Charles Williams. Despite the initial language barrier, Maloney settled in well with his French teammates and together they were the quickest on the track at most of the

venues during the season. Maloney commenced the season with a third-place finish in race two of the first round at Italy’s Imola Circuit. In the second round in Barcelona, he only managed two ninth-placed finishes, but that disappointment proved to be the fuel to his fury which contributed to his Monaco masterpiece in the next round. The fourth round at the Circuit Paul Ricard yielded fourth and sixth-placed finishes for the Barbados Ambassador, as he was fondly referred to all year, at the end of a successful French journey. Maloney was slightly off the pace as he finished 15th and eighth in his races in the fifth round in the Netherlands. Prior to the sixth round in Belgium, Maloney suffered the loss of his maternal grandfather Charlie Clarke and was determined to honour his memory with success on the track. His third and second-placed finishes in races one and two respectively, went some way to achieving his goal for that weekend. Moderate performances in the next three rounds in Austria, Spain and Italy yielded a single podium finish and as a result it was a no-holds barred battle for supremacy in the final round of competition at the Monza Circuit in Italy. Maloney ended race one in third place but finished seventh in the season’s concluding race. His commendable season earned him further recognition and he could feature on the European Formula 3 season with a new team next year. Across the Atlantic, Barbadianborn Kyffin Simpson Jr took top spot in the Formula Regional Americas

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Independence

to the Government and People of Barbados. The Barbados Nurses Association is proud of our country and will continue to serve the Barbadian public as we transition to Republic status. " United in Service"

Championship in the United States. Simpson won seven of his 18 races and bagged a further six podium finishes to clinch the title. The local motorsport fraternity was largely sidelined this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a handful of events still took place at the Bushy Park Circuit as well as the Vaucluse Raceway. After much deliberation and a tie break, Stuart Maloney was named champion driver for 2021. With Maloney and Chris Hoad ending the season equal on 73 points, tie break rules were applied, and Maloney was declared winner, while Hoad was named the provisional Clubman 2 champion in his rookie season in the championship. While the postponement of Sol Rally Barbados 2021 and King of the Hill were to be expected, race fans will be hopeful the events can be staged in 2022. The popular King of the Hill is expected to be held on May 29 and the first Rally Barbados since 2020 will be held on the weekend of June 4 and 5.

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YEAR IN REVIEW – Tennis 2021 BY NICK MAITLAND nickmaitland@nationnews.com BARBADOS’ tennis players enjoyed an eventful year as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to interrupt sporting progress on the island. The most significant achievement for local tennis this year started with the Barbados Tennis Association receiving permission to host the Davis Cup World Group II tie with Indonesia in September. The Bajans handily dispatched Indonesia 3-1 thanks to three wins which involved likely star Darian King. King defeated 18-year-old Gunawan Trismuwantara in his first match to give Barbados a 1-0 lead. With the score at 1-1, King and teammate Haydn Lewis defeated Trismuwantara and Justin Barki in their doubles showdown to take it to 2-1. The 29-year-old King sealed the deal with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Barki as Barbados advanced to the playoff stage. This year commenced with the crowning of two new Top 8 champions as Gabrielle Leslie and Haydn Lewis swept the women’s and men’s titles respectively, on the penultimate day of 2020. Vanquished women’s finalist Hannah Chambers was determined to put the frustration of losing behind her as she journeyed to Costa Rica to take part in two of the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) J4 and J5 tournaments in January. While she did not reach the singles or doubles’ finals in either event, the experience prepared her for upcoming international engagements. Top 8 champion Leslie was victorious in the women’s singles final of the 2021 Next Generation Tennis Academy (NGTA) Yonex Cup Women’s Open in Florida in April. She defeated Venezuelan Maria Medina 6-1, 1-6 before Medina retired in the third set. The BTA celebrated a big win in April with the

TOP 8 queen Gabrielle Leslie added a second title at the Next Generation Tennis Academy Yonex Cup Women’s Open in Florida. (FP) unveiling of three new hardcourts and well as a refurbished club house at their Wildey, St Michael headquarters. The project, assisted by the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, was delayed on many occasions due to weather and pauses in work caused by the ongoing pandemic. Fortunately, the project was completed in time for Barbados to host planned regional and international events. The following month, teenagers Chambers and Stephen Slocombe Jr attended two of the ITF’s J5 tournaments in Cancun, Mexico to train and play competitive tennis to continue their development. The pair experienced moderate success in Mexico before their summer break.

In the ATP rankings published for July, Barbados’ top ranked male player King slipped to 336, his lowest ever ranking as a professional. A lack of action due to restrictive health and travel protocols, as well as a troublesome wrist injury contributed to King’s fall in the rankings. Also, during the summer, outstanding junior Kaipo Marshall and Leslie celebrated similar academic achievements. The 19-year-old Marshall, a Top 8 finalist, won a four-year scholarship to attend Duquesne University in Pennsylvania. Leslie, 18, gained a place at NCAA Division 1 Texas school Prairie View A & M University and will benefit from their exceptional tennis programme for the next four years. In the latter part of August, Chambers was again on the ITF’s junior scene. She finished second to Zara Larke in the girls’ singles final at the J5 event in Santo Domingo and advanced to the final at the J5 Santa Tecla event in El Salvador where she again tasted defeat. Despite not being victorious in any of her overseas assignments, Chambers celebrated the opportunity to train in the United States and compete in Central and South America as tennis in Barbados remained at a standstill. Following their Davis Cup triumph in September, Barbados sent a three-member team to the Confederation of Tennis of Central America and the Caribbean’s 12 and Under Tournament in the Dominican Republic. The team of Dimitri Kirton, Ethan Warner and Travis Licorish settled for sixth place at the end of the group stage and playoffs after two wins and two defeats from their four ties. Tennis signed out of 2021 with an educational experience at the Billie Jean King Tennis Cup in Bolivia in October. Chambers, Leslie and teammate Serena Bryan succumbed to three 3-0 losses to Bolivia, Honduras and Puerto Rico.

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YEAR IN REVIEW – Religion

WORSHIPPERS in the sanctuary at New Dimensions Ministries, Barbarees Hill, St Michael, while observing the protocols. (FP)

Whither the church in a republic? by CHERYL HAREWOOD IT WAS ANOTHER roller-coaster year for the Church in Barbados during the period December 2020 and up to November 2021. As COVID-19 cases increased so did restrictions for churchgoers. Hours before midnight on December 31, church leaders were grappling with having to change the times of their services which would usually start around 10 p.m and come to a halt around midnight, during which time thunderous shouts of praise would echo throughout districts across the island. However, some churches resorted to having no services, while others convened as early as 6 p.m. This followed Government’s decision to put a new curfew time of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in place to limit contact and combat the rapid spread of COVID-19. Of course, church leaders were not happy to hear this. During the ensuing months, they were forced to close their doors and resort again to online services, as was the case during some months of 2020. When they did reopen in April, they were to do so under further restrictions. Only 25 persons were allowed inside the church, and services were to be held no longer than one hour, or thereabouts. Evening services became a thing of the past for many as an even earlier curfew time was put in place. Again, many church leaders opted not to hold face-to-face services, and to this day, some churches have not reopened their doors since December 2020. Of course, there was some frustration for some church leaders, who from the onset of COVID-19 felt that the Church

was being unfairly targeted and that the Church should be viewed as offering an essential service; that of meeting the spiritual, physical and mental needs of their congregations. And so the debate continued. If the Church needed a voice it certainly did not present a united front. Opinions among church leaders differ, and the fact that COVID-19 clusters were found to exist within some congregations did not help the situation at all. There was the view that recklessness and a total disregard to follow health protocols were not being followed by some churches, and so the “Peter pay for Paul and Paul pay for all” expression continued to keep the Church divided. When some restrictions were finally lifted – allowing larger churches to accommodate a greater number of worshippers, again this escalated into split views, with some church leaders with smaller congregations claiming that preferential treatment was being meted out to the larger churches. Calls to pray and intercede for the country were some of the highlights of the Church, which ended the year November 2020 to November 2021 as it had started – with some church leaders and fellow Christians seeking to defend their faith. This time the matter at hand was some elements of the controversial Charter of Barbados 2021, proposed by Government, and believed by faithbased organisations to be a step in the wrong direction for a country whose family values and foundation have always been based on the Biblical truths on which our forefathers stood. The question of where the Church stands within a republic nation remains an issue. Time will surely tell.

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Triumph of the human spirit by EZRA ALLEYNE

THIS COUNTRY’S tortured journey from settlement in 1627 to republican status in 2021 is a story of the triumph of the human spirit over the exercise of power, sometimes a brutal and oppressive power of a kind that vividly portrayed man’s inhumanity to man. English power recognised the capacity of this country to produce sugar for valuable, enriching export to Britain and decided that conscripted labour was necessary. Hence the idea of slavery, mainly of Africans, to produce what some later may call a special kind of lucre, led to the Slave Code. It was the iniquitous anvil upon which the “imported cargoes of human beings” were treated as property to be totally manipulated for the enrichment of the English barons of the Barbadian sugar plantations. This brief recap is necessary only because it may allow for a clearer understanding of the ultimate rejoicing on November 30, 1966, when finally the grandsons and granddaughters recaptured their inalienable right as a people to pass the laws by which they and their descendants hereinafter would be governed. Law was the vehicle used to de-

personalise the ethnic forebears from whom the majority of our people are sprung. Law was the dominant force which propelled the dubious legitimacy of oppressive political power and resulted in bondage for centuries. Some late breaking relief came with the abolition of slavery. The Slave Code, justified the use of the brute force of the political and economic power in Barbados law, though not in the UK. The move to make the Caribbean Court of Justice our final Court of Appeal was therefore more than a mere statement of jurisprudential convenience. It was an intermediate step between Independence and the essence and creation of what will soon be our republic in both the political and constitutional sense. It is worth noting that no man could legally be held in slavery in the United Kingdom, but in the colonies it was a different thing. Laws shape behaviour. They may sometimes confirm, or affirm behavior. Often, like religion was used; they are used to salve the conscience of the wrongdoer. Both religion and law were perhaps the earliest weapons of mass destruction. They were used in efforts to subdue, control and

destroy, though not finally, the rights to which black-skinned humans were and are perpetually entitled, because the colour of their skins distinguished them in that singular physical particular from their masters. But we may be ahead of ourselves. A parliament, the third oldest in the world, was established here in 1639. We call it to this day representative government, and it is said by those who know, to be superior to Crown Colony government in which the colonies are ruled directly from London. But so firm was the grip of the plantocracy on this “jewel in the Crown” that this country boasting, if that is the proper word of having one of the more advanced Constitutions among the Caribbean nations, could only gain its Independence as late as November 1966. Both Jamaica and Trinidad both became independent in 1962. And 327 years is an eternity, a THE MONUMENT at Roebuck Street which commemorates where Parliament first met in June 1639. (FP) • Continued on next page.

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Reclaiming our birthright as a republic • From Page 41E.

DESPITE BECOMING INDEPEDENT in 1966, Barbados still retained the queen as head of state. (FP)

long, long time, and time is longer than twine In a word the planters, having pocketed the Imperial rulers with the flood of sugar-sweetened profits from the blood, sweat and tears of the disenfranchised, did not ease their iron grip on suppressing universal adult suffrage (the right to vote) until very late in the day. So it was not until 1951 that representative came to mean “one man . . . one vote” Sir Grattan Bushe experimented and Clement Payne agitated; even if 1937 comes before 1946, it is the result that matters, not the dates! But independence itself was NOT the final step. For whatever reasons; perhaps pragmatic political considerations were paramount; the newly independent Barbados chose its own Queen and retained the British Monarch as its Head of State. There were in effect two umbilical cords. The more important one when cut declared us independent. We could now pass our own laws. We now had a prime minister like the former colonial masters have. Before Independence we had a premier, almost but not quite a prime minister. The colonial office was still on the field stationed at third man We now, in 2021 reclaim our ancient birthright as a republic. Ironically the United States of America, once a colony also, when reacting to the madness of the policies of King George III took up the Barbadian

freedom cry of no taxation without representation. But they went the step further that we are now taking. Declaring themselves independent, they appointed an executive president, created a House of Representatives and Senate, and gave them legislative power while retaining executive power to the president who was in effect a neutered king. Time and time and time has taught us well. This land fertilised the total independence of spirit that informed the Americans in their resistance to the tax on the tea. They dumped the tea in the Boston Harbour (hence the Boston tea party) as an act of resistance to oppressive rule. But discretion is the better part of valour. We have used the laws and in particular the electoral and constitutional laws to bring us too to the place where we too have decided that the final umbilical cord must be severed. Given our history of many decades when our dignity was stripped away, and given the accolades including the famous external declaration that we are punching above our weight, once we attained a measure of independence; and given our historic resistance to oppression and our resilience in the face of adversity, we have declared as a people that Res Publica must be given its ancient meaning! On November 30th this year, even the merest shackles of slavery must now be removed. . . . We know who we are!

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How ready are we for a republic? ARE WE READY – ready to be citizens of a republic? For decades, Barbados’ political leaders have been talking about transitioning from a monarchical system to republicanism and through Constitution Review Commissions have examined the path for reaching this goal as seen in the 1979 Cox Report, the 1998 Forde Report, plus the more recent advice from the Republic Transition Advisory Committee. Additionally, Parliament passed the Referendum Act in 2005 that spoke to Barbadians having the opportunity to vote on the country becoming a parliamentary republic, but no referendum was held. Leaders across the local political divide support removing the Queen of England as the country’s head of state and yet this sentiment that we are not ready lingers. While Prime Minister Mia Mottley of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has led the November 30 transition, former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart of the Democratic Labour Party was also willing to take similar action. In March 2015, Stuart said: “We cannot pat ourselves on the shoulder at having gone into independence; having decolonised our politics; . . . having decolonised our jurisprudence by delinking from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and explain to anybody why we continue to have a monarchical system. The Right Excellent Errol Barrow decolonised the politics; Owen Arthur decolonised the jurisprudence and Freundel Stuart is going to complete the process.”. He explained that a republican form of government stipulated that those who ran the people’s affairs should be chosen directly or indirectly by the people themselves and said: “We already do that. We have been doing that continuously since 1951 when we got universal adult suffrage.” Barbadians generally support that view and as President-designate, Dame Sandra Mason said: “Barbados has developed governance structures and institutions that mark us as what has been described as ‘the best governed Black society in the world’. Since independence, we Barbadians have sought constantly to improve our systems of law and governance so as to ensure they best reflect our characteristics and values as a nation.” On the flip, Barbadians don’t see the country gaining from the monarchical system. The Huffpost quoted a “well-placed individual” who referred to the Windrush Scandal where the United Kingdom Government was “wrongly targeting Caribbean immigrants from Commonwealth countries for deportation, a removal of health benefits and more.” It noted that the person interviewed felt the Queen should have spoken about the issue at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Despite these sentiments and the 55 years that have passed since independence, people have been asking why the rush? This is somewhat related to the belief that the average Barbadians appeared disengaged. Verla Depeiza, leader of the Democratic Labour Party, the island’s second largest political grouping, was quoted as saying that “over time, Barbados has reached the stage where the majority of Barbadians are either in favour of the republic or are very nonchalant about it.” “The stumbling block,” she said, “is not having had a discussion as to the type of republic that we are going to have, and knowing that there are several different types of republics.” Social activist, attorney at law, Rico J. Yearwood went deeper, in another section of the Press remarking that, even though at the time of his comments the status change was merely two weeks away, “a large percentage of the Barbadian population still remains • Continued on next page.

FORMER PRIME MINISTER the late Owen Arthur. (FP)

LEADER OF THE Democratic Labour Party Verla DePeiza. (FP)

FORMER PRIME MINISTER Freundel Stuart. (FP)

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Is this the right time? • From Page 43E. clueless as to what a republic is . . .”. In essence, the critics are asking for time to have informed public discussion and public participation, the lack of public engagement as signalling that the timing was off. But maybe Barbadians have been too distracted by COVID-19’s deadly and painful slow march across the island trampling efforts to revive the struggling economy, to pay attention to a transition that is regarded in some quarters as window dressing. Is this year’s November 30th, then the right time to transition, in a climate of anxiety and depression, when for the past months social distancing and curbs on gathering restricted the mixing that could churn up spontaneous discussion and spark engagement? Within the Caribbean Community, examples existed that could be used to shed light on the workings of a variety of republican systems with their challenges, benefits and expectations. For instance, over in Guyana, which a few months short of four years after gaining its political independence on May 26, 1966, became a cooperative republic. Its then Prime Minister, the late Forbes Burnham envisaged this change would create a just society which he

said could not be achieved “unless the majority of the people, the masses, the little men, have a full share in the ownership and control of the economy, a share which corresponds realistically with their political power.” Dominica, on the other hand, became independent as a republic, namely the Commonwealth of Dominica while Trinidad took the step of independence in 1962 before officially becoming a republic on August 1, 1976. Nearby examples are available that could have been used to help Barbadians in this exercise. Critics, therefore, see the November 30 transitioning without public participation as a rush. Another reason relates to the absence of a new Constitution to accompany the change. Instead, the Mottley government has put forward The Charter of Barbados, describing it as bridging “the gap between the transition parliamentary republic constitution and what is still an unknown but promised constitution in the near future: a reformed constitution that will redefine the role of the government, and improve the governance arrangements of the country”. Discussions on the new Constitution are expected to begin next January and Mottley explained that Government intended to break it down “chapter by

chapter” starting with the preamble and the fundamental rights, freedoms and responsibilities, during a process that would take about 12 to 15 months. This has been hailed as putting the cart ahead of the horse and is seen as the Government acting in unnecessary haste to make the transition. The date has also been viewed with concern as it coincides with Barbados’ Independence and some feel it threatens to overshadow the event and reduce the impact of the Right Excellent Errol Barrow as the father of Independence. However, Trinidad & Tobago has shown how that could be solved. While that country was declared a republic on August 1, 1976, Republic Day is celebrated with a holiday on September 24, the date when parliament first met under the Republic Constitution.

DEBATE HAS ARISEN over whether the date of the republic will overshadow our Independence and the impact of the Errol Walton Barrow. (FP)

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Not quite there but things looking up by SHAWN CUMBERBATCH

IT WAS COVID-19 versus the Barbados economy in 2020 and by the end of last year the viral illness won by a knockout. Economic activity contracted by about 18 per cent, the equivalent of about $1.5 billion. Tourism, usually the country’s biggest economic engine, stuttered as lockdowns, quarantines and restrictions curtailed international travel. Fast forward to 2021 and the pandemic has made it another tough year for the Barbados economy. However, as 2021 rushes to a close, Barbados with its new republican status is continuing to fight back, helped by a COVID-19 vaccine inspired restart of travel and the beginning of a tourism rebound. Things are looking up, but, Central Bank Governor is not ready to celebrate. “I don’t want to use the words that we are out

of recession, but we are recovering; the economy is growing, the tourism is on it’s way back, but we still have a long way to go to where we would want to be before we start to have discussions about recessions and out of recessions,” he said while reporting on the economy’s performance between January and September. The veteran economist reflected on the three quarter period during which the economy recorded a second consecutive quarter of growth, expanding by ten per cent when compared with the same period last year. The return of visitors to Barbados was the biggest reason for the improvement, but an improvement in private spending also helped, he explained. “The access to COVID-19 vaccines in key source markets, together with the gradual ease in travel restrictions, contributed to a

strengthening of activity in the tourism sector during the third quarter,” the Governor said. “Arrivals remained below prepandemic levels, but registered their strongest quarterly outturn since the onset of COVID-19, as long-stay arrivals reached 43 019 visitors compared to only 13 247 during the similar period in 2020.” The manufacturing and agriculture sectors also improved. Other good news was that Government’s revenues started to recovery, but this was curtailed by the fact that spending increased. Another positive was that Barbados’ international reserves continued to expand, helped mainly by foreign borrowing. At the end of September the reserves totalled nearly $2.9 billion. And while some Barbadians, including those in tourism started to return to work, unemployment remained high, reaching 15.9 per cent at the end of June. Increasing

prices, mainly because of external factors like supply chain challenges and increased freight and food costs, were also a major worry. As he looked towards the end of 2021 and the start of 2022, Haynes’ assessment was that “as evidenced by the third quarter performance of tourist arrivals, the process of a return to normalcy is underway”. The bank “has narrowed its forecast for growth within the range of one per cent to two per cent while the outlook for 2022 is for growth ranging between seven and and nine per cent”, he added. With Barbados in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme since October 2018, one negatively impacted by the pandemic, that international financial institution has also been having its say about the country’s economic fortunes and future. “Barbados continues to make good progress in implementing its comprehensive economic

CLEVISTON HAYNES, Central Bank Governor. (FP) reform programme but faces economic challenges owing to the ongoing global pandemic,” it said in the sixth and most recent review of its Barbados Extended Fund Facility (EFF). “Economic growth is projected at two per cent for 2021 premised on a modest recovery of tourism towards end of 2021 – down from three per cent projected at the time of the fifth EFF review. The outlook remains highly uncertain, and risks are • Continued on next page.

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Pre-covid economy not likely until 2023

• From Page 45E.

elevated,” the IMF added. This issue of uncertainty was also flagged by the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation Monitoring Committee (BERT MC), a Social Partnership body established to monitor Barbados’ economic recovery programme, which started in 2018 and is tied to the EFF. The BERT MC found it positive that “despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the volcanic ashfall, [Government] has continued to achieve all of its performance targets and, in particular, the primary balance of zero per cent of gross domestic product and the growth in net international reserves to levels well above the programme’s target”. It did have concerns, though, including Government’s ability to meet its IMF targets. “The continued severity of the impact of COVID-19 including the most recent spike and the resultant significant levels of unemployment coupled with limited GDP growth opportunities are the principal risks to the programme and the committee remains concerned that, even with the lowering of the fiscal surplus target it will continue to be a significant challenge to meet the targets

established,” said the watchdog body which includes trade unionists, private sector officials and representatives of creditors. “Close monitoring and continuing collaboration and negotiation with the IMF must continue as the economic uncertainty remains high.” The BERT MC said it was “critical that vaccination rates continue to increase so that businesses can continue to operate safely and provide employment opportunities for workers, and to ensure that the health care system does not become overwhelmed”. “Remaining a safe jurisdiction in the eyes of our major tourism partners is a critical factor to the recovery of the economy and the re-engagement of many laid-off employees,” it added. The challenging and uncertain time Barbados has faced for most of 2021, and is likely to face for the remaining weeks of the year, has also occupied the attention of overseas analysts. EMFI, a financial services company based in London, United Kingdom, recently issued a Barbados country report titled The Long Wait For Growth Due. Its major conclusion was the following: “Due to our low expectations about tourism recovery, we have lowered our growth forecast for 2021

from 1.4 per cent to minus 0.7 per cent.” The report was authored by EMFI representatives Rosamnis Marcano, economist; Matías Bensousan, strategist; Gennaro D’angelo Samarin, senior quantitative analyst, and Sheizza Nal, quantitative analyst. GOVERNMENT is not expecting the economy to fully Acknowledging that recover from the pandemic until the end of 2024. (FP) Barbados’ economic fortunes depended mainly will be keeping a close eye on external on tourism, the quartet’s events, especially those related to the recent assessment was: “One of pandemic. the biggest obstacles for tourism to But even if the 2021 growth Barbados is that the government has predictions from experts at home and failed to keep COVID-19 under control. abroad turn out to be true, Barbados “Although the country has a faces a long road back to economic vaccination rate higher than the normalcy. average of the Caribbean islands (44 Haynes has said he does not per cent of the Barbadian population expect the economy to recover to a fully vaccinated versus 37.8 per cent) currently the seven-day average number pre-COVID-19 level until 2023, while Government, in a Barbados Fiscal of daily cases has reached a record of Framework 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 344 cases, much higher than in more published by the Ministry of Finance, populated countries like Jamaica (97 is not expecting the economy to fully cases) and The Bahamas (19 cases). recover from the pandemic until the end “Therefore, some mobility restrictions of 2024. and a quarantine between 9 p.m. and “Economic activity beyond 2021 5 a.m. remain in force. The silver lining is hinged on the country’s ability is that authorities expect a rebound in tourism in the winter high season, which to contain the domestic spread of COVID-19, as well as the resumption will start in December,” EMFI added. of tourism activity, particularly as the With Barbados’ economic success main source markets are expected dependent on the world, the island’s to rebound,” said the Government economic stewards including the document. Central Bank and Ministry of Finance

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PREPARATIONS for the many events in Bridgetown to mark the island’s 55th year of Independence and the official move to a republic. (Pictures by Xtra Vision Photography.)

Not quite like 1966

ON FRIDAY, Bridgetown, the capital was being dressed in national colours, flags fluttered from the stage where one of the major events would be held, scaffolding cluttered the street outside Parliament and traffic was diverted from moving to the top of Broad Street. Over in Queen’s Park, construction personnel with a variety of skills were busily ensuring that the facility’s facelift was completed; while a few minutes’ walk away, workmen were in similar gear readying the newly-built Golden Square. It was obvious something big was happening; all Barbados knew that more than the celebration of the island’s 55th anniversary of Independence was on the cards. The country was acquiring a republican status. However, shoppers hurried through the capital seemingly more concerned about the long queues at business houses that had become the norm ever since COVID-19 entered our ports than the events that were to start a few hours later. Few spoke about what some considered a seminal point in the island’s history. The celebration seemed lacklustre despite the attractive list of happenings that were on the agenda to mark the occasion. These included the official opening of Golden Square; the Consecration of the new Military Colours at the Wildey Gymnasium; a National Service of Thanksgiving; the National Blue Economy Flotilla that was to start at the Shallow Draught and on Independence eve; the ceremony to declare Barbados a Republic and mark the inauguration of the President of Barbados at National Heroes’ Square, which was to be followed on November 30th with the National Honours Ceremony at Golden Square. Barbadians noted that the agenda was attractive with an appropriate number of events given that a subdued level of mixing was necessary for the current COVID-19 climate but many remarked that the people were disengaged. They said the run-up to Republicanism has been so unlike that of Independence. In contrast, the months leading up to November 30, 1966, was marked by a highly charged environment. Those who were arguing on the opposing side were also caught up in the high energy excitement. The fear that the country was too small to go on its own and should seek its development within the West Indies Federation was overwhelmed by hope and faith inspired by the fact that the then Premier

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More questions than answers

Sunday, November 28, 2021

FLASHBACK:

Prime Minister Errol Barrow (second right) addressing Barbadians at one of the ceremonies held to celebrate Independence Day in 1966. At right is Sir John Stow, the island’s first Governor General. (FP)

• From Page 47E. Errol Barrow had journeyed to England and won the right for our island to be freed from the navel strings of the British monarchy. Little England was truly becoming Barbados. Words like freedom were trending; newness was in the air. A new flag was set to trump the Union Jack lowering its significance in our land; citizens were ready to pledge with pride and meaning their “allegiance to . . . Barbados and . . . (its) flag;” and from primary school children to leaders of organisations, people practised and exercised their vocal chords to sing enthusiastically “In Plenty and in Time of Need” as “God save the Queen” was to be replaced. Such was the atmosphere in Barbados that first November when our flag, coat of arms all gleaming new, portrayed things Barbadian, filling hearts with pride. Teachers had ensured their charges knew the country’s anthem and pledge and some school children were given the country’s emblems as souvenirs to pin on their uniforms. Now 55 years later Barbados is set to take another step but on the ground, the development seems more official and government-centred than peopleoriented. Dean Emeritus Canon William Dixon of the Anglican Church remembered listening to the main event that marked the first Independence on his radio. “It was rainy, so the people who went to the Garrison for the raising of the flag braved the weather.” Everyone was looking forward to independence, he said but he added that one could not expect to have a similar level of excitement for the move to becoming a republic. It is just a continuation of the experience, of the island’s development path.” But Independence was the first major achievement for the country, we were becoming a new nation so there was a higher level of pride in that achievement. For Diana Greaves, a retired teacher, the initial feeling of excitement she experienced on hearing the island was becoming a republic tapered off after she started to contemplate what it meant for Barbados. And she said perhaps, Barbadians, like her, are not as upbeat about it because they simply did not know yet what it entailed and could not determine how it could affect the country’s governance. She listed several questions that were yet unanswered, including how being a republic would reform governance; how issues of accountability and integrity would be dealt with; what would be the specific roles and responsibilities of officials such as presidents and prime ministers?; the length of their terms of office and how they would be replaced and appointed. Greaves believes that when the Constitution is being reformed, citizens will be more turned on. (MC)

The Honorary Consul of Dominica to Barbados extends sincere

Congratulations

to the Government and people of Barbados on their transition to a parliamentary republic.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

Steady progress amidst ups and downs by CHERYL HAREWOOD

BARBADOS’ TOURISM SECTOR is poised to recover, but it will all depend on how the country handles COVID-19. That’s the assurance and warning that Dr Kevin Greenidge deputy director in the Research Department of the Central Bank of Barbados gave to Barbadians during a recent televised broadcast. Indeed, the island’s major foreign exchange earner continues to make strides, even as Barbados officially becomes a republic from November 30. The industry has had its fair share of ups and downs, but for the past five months, there has been a steady return to welcoming visitors to our shores. There is not much that will change in the area of tourism after November 30. Of course, all eyes will be on Barbados in its new designation as a republic, but Barbadians have always been a people known for their hospitality and friendliness, so as we extend our hands to welcome long-stay and cruise ship visitors, there is absolutely no doubt that Barbados stands ready to deliver service which is second to none, from hospitality workers and tourism officials alike. With the assurance that the island can easily reach 200 000 visitors by year end, there remains a sense of hope and renewal within the tourism sector. Some 17 cruise ships are expected to make inaugural trips to the island, during the coming winter season, albeit with most of them bringing just 50 per

cent of passenger capacity. which sailed out of the homeport of Phillipsburg, St On November 17 Barbados was blessed with the Maarten. arrival of the AIDAperla, captained by Boris Becker, On board were over 500 fully vaccinated which brought some 1 600 cruise ship passengers • Continued on next page. to the island. In so doing, Becker had kept a promise to put Barbados on the cruise vessel’s itinerary, after tourism and port officials had allowed cruise vessels to drop anchor in Barbados’ waters when cruise travel came to a halt last year due to COVID-19, and the vessels needed somewhere to berth. Together with the increase in cruise arrivals – thanks to major cruise companies – there has been an increase of flights to the island over the past several months. This will continue into the winter season which officially starts from December 15, 2021, and goes through to April 15, 2022. It was on June 7 that Barbados received the first cruise ship to visit any port in the Western Hemisphere since a 15-month worldwide hiatus in cruising because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An intimate gathering of ecstatic local tourism officials, a few representatives from a cross-section of the tourism industry and senior management of THE AIDAperla, (background) kept good on its promise to put the Bridgetown Port welcomed the Barbados on its itinerary after being stranded here last year Celebrity Millennium. It was the first during the pandemic. Above, the ship being greeted by entertainers stop in a seven-day Caribbean cruise on its return. (FP)

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Air travel on the increase • From Page 50E.

passengers, just a quarter of the ship’s 2 400 capacity, and a fully vaccinated crew. Vice-president of destination development at the Royal Caribbean Group, Joshua Carroll, said it was one way of repaying Barbados for the “humanitarian” assistance given to those several cruise lines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air travel wise, Aer Lingus and KLM Airlines, together with American Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, have added flights to their itinerary with Aer Lingus and KLM Airlines introducing services out of Amsterdam and Manchester respectively. Within a few weeks’ time, airlift will also be available from Edinburgh, and flights incorporating Madrid, will start next summer. Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins said during a press conference earlier this year that KLM Airline’s new operation into Barbados should translate into 20 000 additional seats from Europe to Barbados. She said those passenger figures translate into business opportunities for businesses, hotels and people waiting to get back to work. Cummins also stressed the new AmsterdamBridgetown service would provide great access and seamless connectivity from major European countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Scandinavia, via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in The Netherlands. With KLM serving over 300 destinations in over 100 countries around the world, Barbados stands to benefit significantly from this new service. She also told those attending a special KLM inaugural ceremony hosted by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) at Hilton Barbados Resort, “The fact that in the midst of this pandemic, our partners continue to demonstrate such confidence in the Barbados brand, in this instance with KLM adding approximately 20 000 seats from Europe to Barbados over the next five months, is important to us”. “Of course, we also expect that many Barbadians and Caribbean nationals will wish to take advantage of these efficient connections to Europe from Barbados, and we hope that with strong demand, the airlines will consider extending the season. “It is an important conversation that we must have as a nation on how we link tourism to the wider economy. Tourism is not just around the recreational traveller, it is not just about leisure. And when we bring new airlift and new aircraft, we’re opening new opportunities for trade, new opportunities for international business, new opportunities to fill the top of the plane with passengers and the bottom of the plane with cargo and exports. This is an opportunity for us to generate genuine economic development and

genuine economic revival,” Cummins stressed, She would also later make it clear on October 16, when the airline touched down at the Grantley Adams International Airport, that, “We in our ministry are balancing our tourism push for passengers with our trade agenda. We need to provide for cargo shipments for goods, in particular perishable goods. This is critical as part of our international transport portfolio and key to our economic expansion into new markets using airlift relationships.” Tourism officials have indicated that tourist arrivals will soon be closely on par with those of 2019, though not as strong. But Cummins has expressed full confidence in the industry and its ability to perform well in the coming years as the sector rebounds. She fittingly described the past 22 months as “a tremendous painful experience for the sector,” as many people lost their jobs and admitted to having sleepless nights as COVID-19 ravished tourism dependent economies such as Barbados. Indeed, the impact was tremendous, but with the present administration cognisant of the pain experienced by hotel management and employees, Government’s Barbados Employment & Sustainable Transformation Programme (BEST programme) which was established by the Government of Barbados in 2020, to stimulate the transformation of the tourism and direct tourism-related services sectors and to protect employment in the sectors, played a significant role. Indeed, Government must be lauded for being proactive in many instances, like agreeing to a 50 per cent reduction in the airport service charge to regional travellers, a move meant to reduce the taxes on inter-regional travel. In addition, so successful was the initial 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa, which allows people whose work is location independent to work remotely from Barbados, that it has been extended. This programme has also been a life saver for the tourism sector. By October, 2021, Government had collected some $10 million in fees. And with some visitors investing in the island’s real estate sector, the value of the Welcome Stamp Visa has had a trickled down effect on the economy. Referring to the industry as the “bread and butter” of Barbados’ economy, during a special State of the Industry briefing in mid-year, Cummins had stated, “The overall outlook for the sector is positive, yes, but cautious. So all the projections and the optimism that we may have …may go away. So, what we have to do is to plan and mitigate, but also to diversify our base narratives.” Back then Cummins had stressed, as she shared a half-year statistical summary of the sectors, that like other countries dependent on tourism, which had suffered significant doubledigit declines in their Gross Domestic

AIR TRAVEL to Barbados is set to increase with the addition of Aer Lingus and KLM Airlines. American Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have also added flights to their itinerary. Above, Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins (right) in discussion with Deputy British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Craig Fulton, on the tarmac at Grantley Adams International Airport as passengers disembarked from the inaugural flight of Aer Lingus. (FP) Product (GDP), Barbados had also suffered tremendously. She had stressed that the island was also further impacted by the ash fall from the St Vincent and the Grenadines La Soufrière volcano in April, the freak storm of June 16, and Hurricane Elsa on July 2. Cummins also felt back then, that unless the country found the right “marriage” between health protocols and tourism, visitors would go elsewhere and workers in the industry and their families would have continued to be impacted. There is no doubt, in the face of adversity, that the call for Barbadians to get vaccinated and the stand taken to

ensure that visitors follow all COVID-19 health protocols, have augured well for the sector. It is also clear, in the words of Minister Cummins, “By now we have to move past the initial fear and begin to live in a state of functional management of COVID in the midst of a pandemic. There will be cases but we have to ensure that we have to mitigate against that by considering getting vaccinated if we have not already done so.” Undoubtedly, Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean, though faced with increased cases of COVID-19 in some instances, have shown the rest of the world that they are ready to extend warm welcomes to every visitor.

We write our names on history’s page with expectations great, Strict guardians of our heritage, firm craftsmen of our fate

Congratulations

to Barbados on becoming a Republic Nation

FA GREAVES FUNERAL HOME “Fairmount “ Church Hill, St. Lucy

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by David Hinkson A YEAR AGO, Barbados was doing quite a commendable job of handling the vagaries of COVID-19, the mutated influenza virus that emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 and within a few months time had spread all over the world, forcing the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic in the first quarter of 2020. After a three-month lockdown between March and June of 2020, following the common practice around the world at the time, we had managed to successfully contain our numbers. We reopened our tourism industry and other businesses that would have suffered during the lockdown period also reopened their doors. However, in so doing, it seemed as though we dropped our guard somewhat, because in January of 2021 the number of new cases grew significantly. Much of it was attributed to a bus crawl as well as other entertainment activities held over the holiday season, to the extent that New Year’s Eve celebrations, often a time where lots of people gather at different spots around the island, were cancelled at the last minute. There were also outbreaks recorded among staff and inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds. Several businesses, including supermarkets, stores and restaurants also closed down temporarily when staff tested positive for the virus, only reopening when all the employees had undergone their two-week recovery process.

MINISTER OF HEALTH Jeffrey Bostic speaking at a press conference. (GP) By the end of January, we had recorded a total of 1 558 cases with 14 deaths, whereas we had ended 2020 with under 500 cases and only five deaths. This spike in cases led to a second lockdown period, termed a “national pause,” in February of this year, during which the health authorities managed to bring the number of new cases down to more manageable proportions. Barbados received its first shipment of vaccines in March, and initially elderly people were prioritised to “get the jab”. Eventually this was opened to the wider population but it has generated its share of controversy and fear among Barbadians. First, there were the many videos circulating on social media, generated locally as

well as from further afield, showing people suffering severe adverse effects or dying after taking the vaccines. Beyond that, some companies found themselves in hot water after attempting to introduce vaccine mandates, informing their staff that they

either had to get vaccinated, subject themselves to COVID tests every two weeks, or lose their jobs. Then in July this year, the Delta variant, a new, more contagious form of the illness, appeared in Barbados and has since wreaked havoc on the health care system, which was already overwhelmed in dealing not only with COVID-19 but other matters as well. In August, Government approved $47 million to shore up its battle against the pandemic. At the time, Minister of Health and Wellness, Jeffrey Bostic, outlined where the funds would be allocated and why it was necessary to do so. “Delta is having an impact on our numbers and the response required. Two months ago, the Ministry of Health started doing some contingency planning because while we did our best to delay the arrival of Delta, we knew it would come since that’s what was happening all over the world, including in some of our CARICOM neighbours. So we took up our contingency plan based on the COVID-19 virus we started with, and having experienced the Alpha and now the Delta variants, we had to make some changes and enhance our response.” Some of these measures included obtaining oxygen plants for the primary isolation facility at Harrison Point, the purchase of two buses which are used in a national vaccination campaign,

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Sunday, November 28, 2021

THERE are more health issues in the country that need to be addressed. (FP)

and additional testing equipment and personal protective gear. With the high number of cases, more schools are now being used as isolation facilities for people who test positive, with Christ Church Foundation, Lester Vaughan Secondary, Queens College and Daryll Jordan Secondary now joining the Blackman and Gollop Primary School in that role. At the time of writing, Barbados has recorded 23 944 cases since March 17, 2020, when the first two cases were made known to the public, with 211 deaths. The majority of those deaths occurred between September and November this year, with 27 in September, 78 in October and so far this month 55. In many instances, we are told that the victims were “unvaccinated and had pre-existing conditions”, and the overall message Barbadians have been getting is that vaccination is the main thing they must do to reduce their chances of getting a severe case of the virus if they indeed catch it. Over the last few months, more vaccination centres have opened, and the buses Government acquired have been going into communities across the island vaccinating residents at various ‘pop-up’

clinics. Beyond COVID-19, however, what else has been happening in the health care sector? Prior to the arrival of the pandemic, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados was planning to launch a campaign to control childhood obesity within the island’s schools. Recently some elements of this campaign have cropped up with advertisements urging Barbadians to cut down on the amount of sugary drinks they consume on a daily basis. Advocates of natural remedies, while not saying they have come up with cures for COVID-19, have been promoting products to build up one’s immune system in an attempt to stave off some of its more adverse effects. Hypertension and diabetes, as well as cancer, strokes and heart disease, along with HIV/AIDS, are still major causes of death in Barbados, yet no one really speaks about them anymore. In light of the pandemic, however, what can we do to help these patients better manage their conditions so that they do not contract COVID-19 or develop a severe case of it? Is vaccination really the only answer? This is a matter we need to address more urgently.

54E

EDUCATION has always been one of the major pillars of Barbadian society, and indeed makes up a considerable portion of the country’s annual budget each year. Our first Prime Minister and the Father of Independence, the Right Excellent Errol Barrow, did his part to remove the previously elitist nature of education by instituting free education from primary to tertiary level. However, while this model has served us well over the years, for just as many years there have been calls to modify some aspects of it to bring it more into line with the demands and vagaries of modern society, and to remove some of its more elitist elements. Ironically, one of the main vehicles used to remove the exclusivity of the past has been accused of perpetuating the system it was introduced to eliminate. We speak of the Common Entrance Examination. According to the website schoolentranceexam.com, “This examination was introduced in England in 1944 to ensure resources were made available to the most able students in the country. It is aimed at singling out the most academically able students for admission into private independent schools and state-funded grammar schools. It was gradually phased out in England and Wales by 1976, but it is still used by grammar schools and private schools in some boroughs and counties in the UK.” In Barbados we introduced it in the 1950s to give students from lower income families the chance to attend some of the more prestigious secondary schools on the island, an attempt to ‘level the playing field’ as it were, but perhaps we made an error when we decided to set pass marks for schools. As a result, schools with lower pass marks, which we termed “newer secondary schools” as they would have come on stream from the mid-1950s into the midlate 1970s were considered “less worthy” than their

Sunday, November 28, 2021

STUDENTS rallying in protest in CXC debacle. (FP) contemporaries. Talk of abolishing it has surfaced from time to time, but we have yet to see any concrete steps taken in that direction. Needless to say, ideally it must be a phased process with a start date a few years “down the line” rather than immediate abolition. For example, when the University of the West Indies moved to a semester system in 1990-91, it was a process that was ten years in the making, and they did it in such a way that only the first-year courses were divided along those lines initially, and as they moved up,

the second- and third-year courses were modified accordingly. Therefore, the mechanisms for the new system of transferring children to secondary school must be firmly in place before announcing the end of the exam. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has also had its share of challenges brought on by the pandemic, which led to protest action across the region from students in 2020, and this year once again the results at the CSEC level came back later than normal. One of its contemporaries, the Cambridge International Examinations Board in the UK which we previously relied upon, revealed this contingency plan earlier this year. Coming out of the COVID experience last year, Cambridge came up with the following. “Teachers will assess students in May and the start of June, and then submit grades mid-June. Exam boards would then perform quality assurance and students will receive their results in mid-July. Students will be allowed to appeal these grades, and in the first case, the appeals will be heard by the school. Coursework should still be completed, and could inform the teacher-assessed grade (TAG). The papers provided by the exam boards will be similar in style and format to those in normal exam papers, and provide a range to allow teachers to choose topics that their students have covered. “Teachers will also be able to use formal tests and mock exam results, and any completed coursework required for their subject. Work completed closer to the end of the academic year will be given more weighting.” Has CXC considered anything of this nature, and if so, are they willing to share it in order to bring peace of mind to the students who have to take the exams and the teachers who have to administer them?

l u f i t u a e B l u f i t Beau os

d a b r Ba

Gem of the Caribbean Sea G We are proud of our country’s achievements and celebrate With all Barbadians on this special occasion. A new era as a Republic and our nation’s

55th year of Independence.

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With the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, we are now into our third academic year of online teaching, an element that was becoming a part of the teaching process even before COVID-19 made it mandatory. Director of Education Reform, Dr Idamay Denny, said in an online session recently that “chalk and talk” will always be a part of the education system, but they will consider using more technology and to this end the ministry is introducing programmes in coding and robotics. “We recently got a large shipment of robotics kits that will be used from nursery to post-secondary level, which we believe will engage children more. Teachers may have to become facilitators, that is, to step aside and let the children do some of the teaching, showing them how they can use the technology and produce with it, and once the children are given a chance to show their skills in this regard it will make school a more exciting environment”. One of the areas in which the pandemic would have adversely affected students is extracurricular activities such as sports. Individual

school sports as well as the national championships have been put on hold for the last two years, as well as the tournaments in other disciplines such as cricket, football, netball and so on. How do we ensure that children with that interest and the potential to do well in those disciplines do not give up on their dreams because they have no forum in which to show their skills? Also, what has happened to disciplines in the technical and vocational education sector? It may be time for some comprehensive plans to develop this aspect of our education system as much of today’s world is driven by innovations in science and technology. We speak of going fossil fuel-free in 2030; are we doing enough to get our students interested in the renewable energy sector and enabling them to become innovators in that field, rather than having to bring in experts and technology from outside of Barbados that may not meet our needs adequately? Now is as good a time as any to fix the deficits in our education system, and to work towards long-term viable solutions that will serve us for generations to come. (DH)

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All eyes on agriculture sector by SHERIA BRATHWAITE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE of history, the agriculture sector has played a critical role in the development of Barbados. And as the country transitions from monarchical rule into a republic, there is no doubt that all eyes would be on the industry to see what advances would

manifest to reflect that of a republican status. However, chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, and Minister of Agriculture, Indar Weir, said that while Barbados becoming a republic would not result in any major changes to the industry, the landmark could be a catalyst for improving the way how things are done in the sector, spark a thrust

to support more local farmers and simply put, get more Barbadians to see the economic and nutritious value of eating locally produced food. Paul said that before independence, the agriculture sector was booming, even though King Sugar was dethroned, and as one of Barbados’ leading industries, agriculture was solely established to serve the purposes

The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus

Celebrating Achievement As we join the nation in celebrating

55 years of Independence, we are proud to continue our journey of solidarity with the Government and People of Barbados. We pledge to uphold the shared values that bind our treasured partnership, and reaffirm our commitment in service towards national development, as Barbados enters a new era as a Republic.

of powerful international countries. As Government seeks to make Barbados more politically sovereign, Paul said it was important for the incumbent administration to create an agricultural framework designed by “us” for “us”. “What we need is food sovereignty and going towards a republic gives us that golden opportunity to do so,” he said. Over time, the Barbadian diet and food habits changed drastically mirroring that of a metropole lifestyle. Paul said that while he was unsure if having more autonomy would eventually lead to a paradigm shift where Barbadians reverted to craving local food, going forward, it was important for Barbadians to take

INDAR WEIR - Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. (FP) pride in their native cuisine. “Does a change to republic translate to a change in mindset? I don’t know, but we need to support more local businesses and eat more food produced here. Even when we had independence (in 1966) . . . Barbadians still seemed to think we had to design our island to suit the interests of more powerful states. “When we look at

JAMES PAUL, CEO, Barbados Agricultural Society. (FP) tourism, there is still the view of catering to outside needs. In some cases, it seems as though we are transplanting the metropolitan way into Barbados, giving people an experience to live their lifestyle (back home) on our small island, which is not what it is about.” Paul added: “We need to design our product to suit the interest of

• Continued on next page.

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Change in sector vital going forward

• From Page 56E.

Barbadians to the extent where our product utilises what is truly Barbadian – the food we eat, the way we talk in marketing strategies and so on. “Let us give them something that is truly Barbadian; give them a culinary experience of the Caribbean that is based on what we eat so that we are unique and our agriculture sector would have a greater role and truly benefit.” Weir said changing how we do what we do was important going forward, adding that the change to a republican state, coupled with the challenges associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, presented a prime opportunity for the sector to advance. “A lot of things that take place globally may be a blessing in disguise,” he said. “If shipment (of goods) should become a problem and we are not able to import a lot of things we eat, we may have to adjust to eating and growing more of what is locally produced; and I think that is a good thing.” Using life in Barbados after 1945 as an example of how the sector could thrive in this period, Weir said: “Post-World War II when we couldn’t get rice we grew a tremendous amount of sweet potatoes and it was given the name ‘Big Grain Rice’. We were also able to feed ourselves with yams and eddoes. “Whilst I don’t want a situation like that to happen, if we can’t import a lot of the things we do, in my mind that is how we are going to get scale, get up

production and grow the sector. So long as we have to compete with imported goods we will be challenged.” Although it is not certain how or if republican status would impact the agriculture sector in any way, there were a number of noteworthy developments that occurred during the year that moulded the industry into what it is now. Here are the main highlights of the first half of 2021: • Government spent millions of dollars acquiring local fruits, vegetables, herbs and ground provisions to create 60 000 care packages for vulnerable people. • The top brass of the Barbados Agricultural Management Company announced that there was strong evidence which confirmed that there was an organised crime ring behind praedial larceny and that members of the vending community could be the masterminds. • The February lockdown and restrictions prohibited vendors from selling produce in various markets across the island and along the roadside. Many vendors complained that this prohibition was unfair and it further reduced the avenues through which farmers got produce off of their hands.

y th

r b a d o s!

app

In depende

m is n a c end i l b u e n ce To Rep

As we journey towards Republican status, like our forefathers in the House of Labour and our Father of Independence, we write our names on history's page and with expectations great, we glory in the fulﬁllment of their aspirations to be truly self-reliant. In the pride of nationhood, we ask for God's guidance as we transition to Republicanism.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, agricultural workers, gained access to lunchroom and sanitary facilities while they carry out duties in the field following Government’s investment of $450 000 to acquire ten state-of-the-art mobile units. (Picture by Xtra Vision Photography.)

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by Shawn Cumberbatch WHEN BARBADOS gained Independence 55 years ago, sugar was king and the Central Bank of Barbados did not exist. In 2021, as the island nation becomes a republic, it has entered the metaverse – a virtual world, and is aspiring to become an economy fully powered by renewable energy, conducting business largely online, and seeking to diversify into new areas like green financing, medicinal cannabis and blue economy investments. Tourism and financial services, two sectors that have become central in the post-Independence and prerepublic period, will continue to have a central role, even as they evolve. So will agriculture – a modernised version of it that is based on technology and innovation. Increased economic diplomacy with Africa and new areas like the Middle East are also on the agenda as 2021 nears its climax. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for the world, and while its devastating impact on the Barbados economy has been a major financial setback for Government, the crisis has been an impetus for change. Barbados’ vulnerability to climate change has also been a significant driver of the need to adapt a development model that has served the country well.

The way forward for Barbados’ economic development was outlined in September last year when Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, now to be Barbados’ first Republic President, delivered the Throne Speech. She said that for Barbados to realise its domestic objectives of enhanced economic growth and revenue generation, it “must pursue increased, strengthened and diversified external engagements which will serve to mitigate the country’s vulnerabilities, build resilience, and maximise opportunities for sustainable development”. “An important platform for advancing Barbados’ economic interests abroad is the Barbadian diaspora and Friends of Barbados community. These are under-used assets with regard to their networks, skills and resources,” Dame Sandra outlined. “The power of the diaspora and Friends of Barbados, must now be leveraged systematically to facilitate and enhance their contribution to Barbadian society and economy, especially through innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships in various sectors, sustainable philanthropic initiatives, and attractive investment opportunities.

GOVERNOR GENERAL Dame Sandra Mason delivering the Throne Speech. (Picture courtesy Barbados Government Information Service.)

“Barbados’ diplomatic missions must be in the forefront of efforts to identify new and emerging sectors that can propel and expand the Barbadian economy. We are seeking to expand

our diplomatic footprint, acknowledge shifting geopolitical realities and seeking new friendships amongst likeminded countries,” she added. This mission to more fully engage the world for Barbados’ benefit was taken to another level recently when Government announced that it was establishing “the world’s first Metaverse Embassy”. The Mia Mottley administration said the initiative “will be at the centre of activities to advance the growth of stronger bilateral relationships with governments globally”. To make this a reality, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade signed an agreement with one of the world’s leading blockchain metaverse platforms - Decentraland - to outline the baseline development elements for its Metaverse Embassy. Government is also finalising agreements with Somnium Space, SuperWorld and other Metaverse platforms. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Jerome Walcott explained: “This platform will be an important forum where Barbados will work with our traditional partners and new allies to deepen engagement in the diplomatic arena; the investment, business, tourism and cultural sectors;

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and people-to-people interaction.” Barbados’ Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Gabriel Abed, said the Metaverse Embassy “is the first phase of a multi-phased approach towards delivering digital solutions that evolve the way we interact with the world around us”. Embracing the digital world will not only be in relation to doing business with the world, but improving the way things are done domestically. For example, the corporate registry of the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office is being reformed and digitised. The new electronic system will facilitate business registrations and certificate issuance, and online payments. The effort to provide a more business friendly environment includes permitting applicants for liquor licences to do business on an electronic commerce platform, and the activation of an electronic single window, which will improve business facilitation and competitiveness. The end of 2021 means that Barbados is getting closer to its goal to become a full renewable energy economy by 2030. As an island, the blue economy is also a central focus. Barbados’ green economy focus will include a requirement that renewable energy projects must have at least 30 per cent local ownership. Vaucluse, St Thomas, is earmarked for a $360 million, 30 megawatt Green Energy Park. It is expected that within two years there would be more than 100 megawatts of renewable energy delivered to the national grid from Vaucluse. Blue economy plans included shoreline enhancement at various locations on the coasts, improvements to fishing facilities, and outfitting all fishing markets with solar panels to generate electricity. This was in addition to a marine conservation plan “to protect our oceans and marine biodiversity”. Agriculture was a key part of the old economy, and Government has outlined plans showing it will be part of Barbados the Republic. This included lands at Lears, St Michael, being made available to 100 Barbadians interested in farming, leasing land to young people involved in the Farmers Empowerment and Enfranchisement Drive, increasing Black Belly lamb production, and expanding the growth of crops including pineapples and bananas. Barbados is also pursuing plans to establish a medicinal cannabis industry. Chief executive officer of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority, Dr Shantal MunroKnight, said the venture was challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, and no licences had been issued, but interest as measured by applications was high. “Across the drafts we would have had applications for all eight categories, which includes areas such as cultivation and processing. In one case, we have two applicants that have applied for seven licences, but we are seeing most of the applicants going towards cultivation and retail distribution,” she reported. On the financial front, there are plans to create an Industrial Transformation Fund to address access to credit and finance challenges facing various industry participants. A new industrial strategy drafted by the late former Prime Minister Owen Arthur is also planned. Barbados’ implementation of these plans will not be easy, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which has pushed the economy into recession, although it has started to grow again. Debt has increased, financing is limited, and external threats, including increased compliance requirements, and environmental challenges have expanded. President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Gene Leon, said the challenge for Barbados and other Caribbean countries at this time was to become more resilient.

“The policy responses necessary for long-term transformative repositioning may be at odds with the policies that can jumpstart short-term recovery. Consequently, it is vital that policies implemented for short-term recovery effort be consonant with the policies required for a transformative long-term vision,” he stated. “I see a post-COVID Caribbean region that is driven by knowledge and innovation, that which leverages diagnostics obtained from knowledge accumulation, and transforms knowledge diagnostics into strategies for economic diversification of products and markets,”

Leon added. “We can label this the industrialisation of knowledge, creating viable economic opportunities across all segments of the knowledge-creating value chain. These innovations will be most effective if anchored on resilient ecosystems and the notion that regional integration can be both a conduit and a driver.” For Prime Minister Mottley, it will also be key for Barbados to be able to access financing without being held to restrictive criteria including gross domestic product.

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by NICK NUNES

BARBADOS HAS LONG embraced the power of the sun for water heating. Now, efforte are being ramped up to make the island reliant on renewables. (FP)

AS A Small Island Developing State and one of the leaders of that group in the fight for implementing smart programmes to thwart climate change, Barbados has come a long way since its founding under a foreign crown to its current sovereign statehood. At the opening of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021, Prime Minister Mia Mottley was fervently listened to, on the world stage, with her prime remarks stating, “The pandemic has taught us that national solutions to global problems do not work.” Barbados has a history of speaking up to the issues that face this small island and the region at large. In 2014, Barbados was the host for the United Nations World Environment Day (WED) celebrations. Barbados was the first Small Island Developing State to host World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5. For decades, Barbados has been a leader in solar power integration the region. With the highest ratio of solar water heating per capita, this country does not rest on laurels. At that WED celebration, Barbados pledged to increase the share of renewable energy across the island to 29 per cent of all electricity consumption by 2029. Today, Barbados has designed a far more ambitious goal. According to the BNEP, “The Barbados National Energy Policy (BNEP) 20192030 document is designed to achieve the 100 per cent renewable energy and carbon neutral transformational goals by 2030, becoming the first island-state in the world to do so.” September 2014 marked the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in, and, subsequently the receipt of 25 000 LED lights and 1 000 inverter air-conditioning units by the Government of Barbados to assist in combating climate change. Nearly 90 per cent of the streetlights of Barbados have been converted from high pressure sodium lights to energy efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). In 2015, the Governments of Barbados and the People’s Republic of China’s long history spanning over three decades of friendly relations continued to result in assistance to Barbados in a wide range of areas. Both Barbados and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have acknowledged that climate change and its adverse effects are common challenges which need to be actively addressed through strengthened international cooperation. The main goals of the programme include reducing Government’s recurring expenses related to electricity consumption whilst further promoting the “greening” of the island. To achieve our energy reduction targets whilst minimising our carbon dioxide emissions and hence carbon footprint, the Government of Barbados is embarking on a retrofitting programme utilising energy-efficient and environmentally friendly equipment across Government. At the time, Andrew Simpson afforded, “Renewable energy use is very much a part of climate change mitigation since it substitutes for burning fossil fuels, thus reducing carbon emissions which cause global warming, sea level rise and a slew of other issues affecting environmental sustainability.” Greening our world and seeking more ecofriendly practices while implementing proven solutions that exist and are appropriate for this island is our best bet moving to the future. As a small island, the impact of the old ways of the world are felt first on our shores. The problem of climate change doesn’t simply affect the beauty of Barbados’ coasts, reefs, and sea life, but the ability to sustain a habitable environment for the future of society. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,

• Continued on next page.

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• From Page 60E. an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will probably boost temperatures over most land surfaces. The melting of the glaciers displaces water levels causing unprecedented rises in sea level and a lowering of the salinity of the world’s oceans. An increase in global temperatures include increased risk of drought and increased intensity of storms, including tropical cyclones with higher wind speeds, a wetter Asian monsoon, and, possibly, more intense mid-latitude storms. Hotter summers, colder winters, increased storm frequency and speeds are all things that will be affected by the changing of the global climate. These types of changes can cause seasons to become disparate. Rather than a fruitful rainy season, rains may come in one large deluge accompanied by more problems than benefits. More heat and water in the atmosphere and warmer sea surface temperatures will provide more fuel to increase the wind speeds of tropical storms. Since the 1980s, natural disaster frequency has exploded. More than double the previous amount of natural disasters are being seen each year in comparison to prior decades. The past year alone has been a whirlwind of climate anomalies for Barbados in particular. Not even mentioning that, of the past 6 years of hurricane seasons, 4 consecutive hurricane seasons hosted at least one category 5 hurricane. Category five

Year for the record books

hurricanes used to be far rarer than they have been of late, climatologically speaking. According to the National Hurricane Center, the decade with the most Category 5 hurricanes is 2000–2009, with eight Category 5 hurricanes having occurred: Isabel (2003), Ivan (2004), Emily (2005), Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), Wilma (2005), Dean (2007), and Felix (2007). The most destructive storms of our region are becoming more frequent and more powerful. This year, the year Barbados became a republic, also marks the first time a hurricane touched these pristine shores in 66 years. In 1955, Hurricane Janet swept across the island and, until Elsa in 2021, this island remained, mostly and comparably, unscathed in the region. This year is not only the year of Barbados becoming a republic or the year of the first hurricane since 1955, it was a year for earthquakes, freak storms like that of the mid-June shocker of a lightning show. The night of 17th June going into

the morning of 18th June, Tropical Wave 09 passed over Barbados bringing a severe thunderstorm that produced an extraordinary lightning display by producing upwards of 400 lightning strikes per minute. The severe thunderstorm was accompanied by wind gusts up to 85 km/h and torrential downpours across the island. According to Brian Murray, Barbados Meteorological Services Deputy Director, “The reason for the extreme lightning and thunder that we had is that we had a thunderstorm that was much stronger than usual. It was not a run-of-the-mill thunderstorm. We usually know how strong a thunderstorm is by looking at the satellite picture in conjunction with radar imagery.” Freak storms, hurricanes hitting the shores, and even the blotting out of the sky from volcanic ash unleashed from La Soufrière have produced a year of climate and environmental cataclysms for the record books. Practicing sustainable living and eco-friendly habits have become more

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN an unprecedented one for the island as far as weather systems are concerned. Above, damage caused by Hurricane Elsa. (FP) than a suggestion to the way humans interact with the environment. There is no debate on climate change, the facts are irrefutable and the need for humanity as a whole to work towards protection of the ecosystem, prevention of it worsening, and preparing for the damages already done is upon us. It is time to become proactive in the recovery of our planet’s ecosystem. The world will saunter on without us but our actions have a profound effect on the planet’s ability to sustain our life.

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by DOMINIQUE TOPPIN OUR WORDS cannot take away the pain of losing a loved one, but they can go a long way towards helping a grieving person feel loved and supported. A country ought never to forget the contribution of those who served it honestly, faithfully and with never a hint of animus; so as we reminisce on the memories of our loved ones we lost throughout the year, we seek to highlight a few individuals who stood out as public figures. The following captures a brief history of some of those luminaries who left us and their impact on society: JANUARY • The unwavering stewardship and leadership of Vernon “Lord High Admiral” Watson who passed away on January 9, will forever be remembered by family, friends and those of the Barbados Landship Association. Vernon Watson, better known as Captain Watson, dedicated 75 years of his life to preserving the cultural heritage of one of our most indigenous institutions and was a significant and irreplaceable strand in our cultural fabric. Prime Minister Mia Mottley maintained that every Barbadian who is culturally aware and conscious of what it means to be Bajan, should remember Captain Watson for breathing fresh life into Barbados Landship. FEBRUARY • Prominent businessman and activist Richard Goddard passed away on February 18. Goddard was recognised as a Barbadian patriot who founded the Goddard’s empire. He also dedicated some of his life to the public service by once serving on the board of the Salvation Army and one time Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Goddard was remembered as an environmentalist who proudly started the National Trust hikes in 1983. MARCH • Sir Courtney Blackman, a Barbadian economist, international business consultant and diplomat passed away on March 16. Sir Courtney will be remembered as the first and longest serving Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados where he served three terms from 1972 to 1987. Sir Courtney oversaw the introduction of

Website: www.sentrybrokers.com

SIR COURTNEY BLACKMAN (FP)

ROLAND “ROJOE” BASCOMBE (FP)

Barbados’ national currency in 1973 and was intimately involved in the July 1975 decision, based on the instability of the British pound, to tie the island’s currency to the United States dollar at a rate of two Barbados dollars to one US dollar. His other achievements include published learned papers and three books: The Practice of Persuasion, (1982), Central Banking in Theory and Practice: A Small State Perspective (1995), and The Practice of Economic Management: A Caribbean Perspective (2005). APRIL • Fashion designer Roland “Rojoe” Bascombe, a favourite local household name for flamboyant and trendy wear passed away on April 28, at age 54. The memories of Bascombe are as graphic and captivating as his many designs which transformed men’s wear in Barbados. Bascombe was known as an inspiration to local and regional designers which earned him a title of style icon. MAY • Joyce Lady Straker, who was

historically known as Barbados’ first female pilot passed away on May 16. In addition to her historic career, she was a successful business owner who operated Lady Jane’s Boutique, Banana Boat Restaurant and the Plantation Tropical Spectacular Dinner Theatre which was once featured on CNN. JUNE • Veteran photographer Gordon Brooks whose career with the camera dated back to the 1960s, passed away at age 81 on June 29. Brooks was well known for his coverage of the West Indies Cricket team for over 40 years and leading the photography studio Brooks La Touche Photography agency in Barbados. He was also known regionally and internationally as his photos appeared in print and digital media globally; with features in The West Indies Cricket Annual. Brooks also published his first book entitled Caught In Action in 2003 which was based on 20 years of history on the West Indies Cricket team. JULY • Former left-handed all-rounder

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Barbados cricketer, co-founder and executive chairman of Barbados Lumber Company, founder of Brancker’s and former Honorary Consul to Sweden Rawle Brancker passed away at the age of 83 on 27 July. Brancker played cricket for Barbados and toured England with the West Indies. During his tenure as a cricketer he made 47 appearances in first class cricket, scoring 1 666 runs with five centuries and taking 106 wickets. He also served as a long-serving member of Empire Cricket Club and was later named an honorary vice president and trustee of the club. AUGUST • Olivier Cox, the founder and principal of the now defunct Metropolitan High School passed away on August 25, 2021. Cox opened the school which operated for over 60 years but closed in 2018 after the student roll fell to below 30. Cox will be remembered as a veteran educator, who fell in love with teaching and played a major role in meaningful and productive lives for his students. His calm demeanour and desire to transform lives was said to earn him respect from many. SEPTEMBER • Sir Maurice King, well known Barbadian lawyer passed away on September 21. His active career included three terms in the House of Assembly as the representative for Christ Church West Central and Cabinet portfolios that included Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sir Maurice also served as the principal legal advisor to two former long-standing general secretaries of the Barbados Workers Union, Sir Frank Walcott and Sir Roy Trotman. On the international sphere, he represented Barbados as the Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States. OCTOBER • Oliver Broome, better known by the alias Lord Radio who helped pioneer the Barbadian calypso scene in the 1950s and 1960s passed away on October. Lord Radio, who is affectionately remembered as the ocal grandfather of music, was famous for ruling the stage with his Bimshire Boys band. He was a regular feature on the international touring stage, performing across the Caribbean region, the United States, Canada and Europe. He also served as a member on the Barbados Board of Tourism, and was an exemplary ambassador for his profession. NOVEMBER • Two media powerhouses Dennis Johnson and Warren Forte passed away on November 2 and November 7, respectively. Beloved veteran announcer and broadcaster Johnson had an array of knowledge on a variety of topics which made him a thrilling call-in host as a moderator on Down to Brass Tacks. His love for music pushed him to generate programmes for which he was praised by his dedicated followers. He was also known for his reverent tone in the coverage of official ceremonies and will be remembered by his colleagues and peers for his adeptness and reliability. Warren Forte, affectionately known to Barbadian households as “DJ Jon Doe” or “Jon Deesy” passed away suddenly at age 47 on November 7, 2021, Forte was an accountant by training before he made his foray into the local music scene. He was recognised across the local, regional and international music industry and was the popular morning personality on Hott 95.3 FM.

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