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PM Mottley & Dame Graça Plant African Tulip In Botanical Gardens

Barbados’ relationship with South Africa and Mozambique was further affirmed on Monday with the planting of the African Tulip by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa, Dame Graça Machel, in the National Botanical Gardens.

The two officials were joined by Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Blue and Green Economy, Adrian Forde; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munroe-Knight; Dendrologist and Director of the National Botanical Gardens, Nigel Jones, and other officials.

Dame Graça, while speaking on the significance of tree planting, told Prime Minister Mottley: “As part of my tradition, where I come from, planting a tree is part of affirming yourself as a part of the land, of the soil. So, whether you like it or not I’m affirming myself here.”

Ms. Mottley acknowledged the sentiments and noted that the Botanical Gardens, located at Waterford, St. Michael, was conceptualised as a place where persons across the island could come, relax and reflect. While revealing plans for expansion beyond the Gardens and the new Geriatric Hospital, currently being constructed, she outlined that there was also interest in an International Botanical Gardens.

*Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa, Dame Graça Machel, planting the African Tulip together in the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St. Michael.*

She added: “We will not only have this side, which is the local national Botanical Gardens, one which has multiple purposes, but we will also have the International one….”

PM Mottley noted the Garden was important for the island, and particularly for the parish of St. Michael, which has over 100,000 people, or more than a third of Barbados’ population.

Emphasising the importance of creating such spaces for people, she told Dame Graça: “We are going to invest because this country cannot do without architecture to support the creative sectors; so that will come, we’ve taken the decision. We’ve spent billions of dollars over the years on everything else, but the most we have is a theatre that holds 250 people. It can’t work, so, there will be an amphitheatre here.”

The Prime Minister further disclosed plans were in the works for an amphitheatre in Newton, Christ Church, and shared that work was ongoing to redevelop Queen’s Park.

“We are hoping to use this [in order] to change people’s psyche and people’s perception of themselves,” she told Dame Graça.

Environment Minister Adrian Forde, in welcoming Dame Graça to the National Botanical Gardens, stressed that one of its special features was its high resilience, and remarked: “It speaks to both our people and your people.”

Together, Prime Minister Mottley and Dame Graça turned the sod for the planting of the tree, following which, Dame Graça stated: “I have planted myself closer to you; so, part of my heart is here.”

The ceremony also saw the two officials unveiling a plaque by the tree to symbolise the occasion.

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SPECIAL POLLING DAY NOTICE

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FundAccess To Host Legal Clinic Workshop from May 13th

Entrepreneurs will soon get another opportunity to learn about critical legal matters that are key to the operation of their businesses.

FundAccess will be hosting The Legal Clinic Workshop, which will commence on Tuesday, May 13, and continue each Tuesday, until May 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The workshop will be facilitated by Attorney-at-law Ondene Kirton and participants will discuss Understanding Business Legal Structures; Contracts & Agreements; Employment Law & Compliance; and Examination of the Various Laws Relating to Small Business.

During those sessions, the participants will be exposed to sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations – pro and cons; how to choose the right legal structure for a business; the importance of contracts in business operations; avoiding common contract pitfalls; and employee rights & employer responsibilities, among others. Some of the pieces of legislation to be examined include the Employment Rights Act and National Insurance and Social Security Act.

Interested persons may attend the workshop in person at FundAccess’ Pinfold Street, Bridgetown location, or online via the Zoom Platform. To register, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3Fu09Jv.

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Centenarian Built On Firm Foundation Set By Grandmother

“Trust God first” is the mantra of one of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Athelstan Browne, who celebrated his 100th birthday on April 29, 2025, at his home in Montrose, Christ Church, surrounded by family and friends.

One of his specially invited guests was President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Mr. Browne shared that he grew up “not knowing a mummy” as his mother passed away at age 23, when he was two years old, and his brother was only one year old.

Crediting his grandmother for his upbringing, Mr. Brown remarked: “I had a real good, good grandmother that raised two of us, and everything we learn before we went to school, she taught us.”

Pointing to a humble yet deeply religious upbringing, Mr. Browne said: “I and my brother slept on the floor. Our grandmother spread things down there, and she just put the pillow under our head.”

He recalled that they had to sing the hymn “Under the Blood” before going to bed, and first thing in the morning before they had breakfast, which usually consisted of “a cup of tea and two biscuits”. Adding that the hymn was “our song”, Mr. Browne sang the hymn from memory.

Stressing that his grandmother was a great provider, he noted: “My grandmother had land, and she would work the land…. We would eat raw potato, raw okras, (green) peas, cucumbers…. The only thing we did not eat was raw yams and eddoes.”

Mr. Browne continues to enjoy his ground provisions “with a little rice”, as he likes his rice with green peas, and if available, chicken boiled with the rice. “I am a fish man,” he remarked, eating it either fried or with a “stew sauce”.

Continuing to nurture his Christian beliefs, he joined the Mount Ararat United Holy Church (currently in Dayrell’s Road, Christ Church) in 1967, at age 33, and has continued there ever since.

Once the Superintendent of the Sunday School at the church, Mr. Browne is still instrumental in providing leadership to the youth there. “I have a crowd of young people at church that love me…especially when I have to talk to them…. It is what they should hear and what they should have,” he said.

The centenarian was raised in Montrose, Christ Church, and attended the Christ Church Boys’ School (now Milton Lynch Primary School). After leaving school, Mr. Browne initially took to agriculture but then worked cutting soft stone in two quarries in Christ Church.

In 1947, at the age of 22, he decided to join the US Farm Labour Programme and took the first Pan American Airlines flight out of Barbados. Over 10 years later, Mr. Browne returned to Barbados and married Monica Browne (deceased). Together, they built the house where he currently resides.

Returning to his roots in agriculture, the centenarian worked at the Ridge Plantation, Christ Church, until retirement. He also planted and reaped ground produce at home, as well as planted and cut canes.

Mr. Browne, who is generally in good health and has a sharp memory, still works around the home and enjoys reading, which he does without glasses. He also keeps in touch with his family in New York and North Carolina, and will do some travelling, but he is always ready to return home.

After toasting the centenarian, Her Excellency remarked: “You are in the midst of a lot of love, and I am sure you are going to enjoy the rest of your birthday. I am really happy to have met you. I am grateful for the work that you still continue to do with our young people because a lot of them lack direction, and we, nowadays, don’t take enough time to sit down and speak with them…. We don’t remind them that they are important, that they are somebody.”

Mr. Browne responded: “You got to make them understand what … the Lord expects of them… We have to acknowledge the Lord.”

Mr. Browne has two children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and Barbados’ newest centenarian Athelstan Browne take a walk outside during his birthday celebrations in Montrose, Christ Church