JAMAICA 50:
CULTURE SECTION
by Phillippa Paisley
YaaD RoC Magazine || CUlture || Page 2
Sir Alexander Bustamante
NATIONAL HEROES
After WWII, the New Constitution of November 20th 1994
was formed in Jamaica. Crown Colony Government ended
and the country started on the road to self-government. Full
adult suffrage was adopted, where men and women 18 and
over had the right to vote. A while later The West Indies
Federation was established on January 3, 1958 as a mean of
an independence transition mechanism for the British Caribbean. In 1961, Jamaica however asked for a withdrawal
in order to seek full independence. By the 9th of February
1962 Jamaicans knew that August 6 would be the day of
independence. General elections were called in April which
was done on a party basis with rival parties Jamaican Labour
party headed by Sir Alexander Bustamante, The People’s
National Party headed by Michael Manley and the newly
formed People’s Political Party. A sweeping victory was
granted to The Jamaica Labour Party who won the majority
seats in the House of Representatives.
Later, preparations were made for the independence celebrations. National symbols, anthem and flag were chosen. The
original coat of arms was retained with the modification of
the Latin motto to “Out of Many One People”. Independence
celebrations began at midnight on the 5th of August. initiated with the lowering of the union jack and the raising of
the black, green and gold flag. This symbolized the end of
the British rule and the new found “Dominion of Jamaica”.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret was present to
officiate the Queen’s representative as Governor General.
She opened the first session of parliament with Sir Alexander Bustamante as the first prime minister of independent
Jamaica and Sir Kenneth Blackbourne became the first Governor General. This all happened 50 years ago and since then
Jamaicans have been one of the proudest people who plan to
party or rather celebrate this achievement in style.
An advocate for the social
and economic welfare of the
working class, Bustamante
was very active in writing
letters to local and international newspapers. He
wrote about the injustices of
the underprivileged Jamaicans. The period (1937-38)
brought numerous social
unrests among the working
class. Bustamante became
their champion challenging
the Colonial government.
He did 17 months in Up
Park Camp for allegations
that he had violated a defense act. He later founded
the Jamaica Labour Party
(JLP) and as the head under the period of Universal
Adult Suffrage won the first
election. He became the first
Prime Minister of Independent Jamaica and lived till
he was 93.