Local

Let’s Celebrate Our National Heroes

Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty

Singer, actress, media icon, fashion mogul, entrepreneur, trailblazer and international superstar…these are but a few of the titles that aptly describe the 11th National Heroine of Barbados, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
She was bestowed the honour of National Heroine on November 30, 2021, during the investiture ceremony to officially declare Barbados a republic. To date, she is the youngest person to receive the honour and has joined Sir Garfield St. Alban Sobers as the island’s second living National Hero. Since her introduction to the international scene in 2005 with her debut single ‘Pon De Replay’, Rihanna has gone on to win nine Grammy Awards, 13 American Music Awards (including the Icon Award), 12 Billboard Music Awards, six Guinness World Records, and the NAACP’s President’s Award.
Aside from making her mark as a singer, the 33-year-old has developed into an iconic businesswoman in the beauty and fashion industries. She has also been recognised internationally for her humanitarian efforts, through the Clara Lionel Foundation, named to honour her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Brathwaite.
With sales of over 250 million records worldwide, Rihanna is considered as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, earning 14 number-one and 31 top-ten singles in the US alone.

Clement Osbourne Payne

The Right Excellent Clement Osbourne Payne is regarded by some as the “apostle” of trade unionism in Barbados, urging workers to “Educate, agitate, but not to violate”. Known for his fiery, powerful speeches, Payne sought to educate the poor working masses on the importance of coming together and resisting the elite white planter class.

Sir Hugh Worrell Springer

The Right Excellent Sir Hugh Worrell Springer was the first General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) from 1940-1947 and was this island’s third native Governor General from 1984-1990. His long and distinguished academic career and public service mark Sir Hugh as among the greatest Barbadians of all time.

Charles Duncan O’Neal

National Hero, The Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal, dedicated most of his working life to the poor. Although a medical doctor and a member of the privileged class, he agitated against deep-seated racism of the 1920s and 1930s, which the planter class perpetuated against blacks.

Sarah Ann Gill

In the face of relentless persecution, including threats against her life, National Hero, The Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill, continued to hold meetings for members of the Methodist church in her home. She challenged the existing social order and is remembered for her courage, perseverance and commitment to religious freedom.

Bussa

It is said that National Hero, The Right Excellent Bussa, also known as Busso or Bussoe, commanded some 400 freedom fighters against troops of the First West India Regiment during the rebellion of 1816. He was killed in battle but his troops continued to fight until they were overcome by superior fire power. The 1816 slave uprising was the first in the island for 124 years, the previous taking place in 1692.

Samuel Jackman Prescod

The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod truly understood the ‘power of the pen’. As a newspaper editor, he wrote scathing articles accusing the planters of pursuing policies which suppressed blacks. Through the printed page, Prescod also sought to unite the free coloured, the apprenticed workers and the poor whites against the powerful plantocracy.

Sir Grantley Herbert Adams

National Heroes Day is the birthday of The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Herbert Adams. He was born on April 28, 1898. Sir Grantley would go on to become the first Premier of Barbados and the only Prime Minister of the now defunct West Indies Federation.

Errol Walton Barrow

The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, often referred to as ‘The Skipper’ or ‘Father of Independence’, was successful in securing many social changes in Barbados during his tenure as Premier and then Prime Minister of Barbados. These included developments in education, health, social security and tourism. He also oversaw the island’s transition to Independence in 1966, becoming the island’s first Prime Minister.

Sir Frank Leslie Walcott

The Right Excellent Frank Leslie Walcott was known as a tough, dynamic and principled negotiator with a visionary approach to bargaining for improved conditions for the working population. He served the island’s first trade union, the Barbados Workers’ Union, for 50 years.

Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers

The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers‘ record of 365 runs not out stood as the highest individual test score for 36 years until it was surpassed by Brian Lara in 1994. Sir Gary made that incredible record in 1958 when he was only 21 years old.

Local

Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Local

Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

Local

Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph