Prime Minister Bruce Golding places flowers at the shrine of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante during a ceremony commemorating the 125th anniversary of his birth at National Heroes Park in Kingston yesterday. - photo by JIS

Western Bureau:

Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday hailed National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante as a courageous advocate for the rights of the Jamaican people, saying he bravely confronted the colonial establishment to help secure some of the rights Jamaicans now enjoy.

"He (Sir Alexander) had the courage to challenge the colonial establishment and although he knew he was taking a great risk, he was prepared to pay the price," said Golding, who was the guest speaker at a civic ceremony to mark the 125th anniversary of Sir Alexander's birth at his birthplace in Blenheim, Hanover.

On behalf of working class

Golding said Sir Alexander took on the colonial establishment on behalf of the working class at a time when "we (Jamaicans) were a people without rights".

"None was as successful and effective as Bustamante was in piercing the colonial armour," said Golding.

"Along with Norman Manley, he paved the way towards the modern political system we now have," he added.

The prime minister said the late national hero had successfully completed his leg of the race, so the onus was now on the current generation to take up the baton and continue the journey.

"The spirit of Sir Alexander Bustamante and his inspiration should never be allowed to die," the prime minister said.

Housing Minister Dr Horace Chang called for the inclusion of Sir Alexander's work in schools' curricula, saying it would provide children with an opportunity to learn about the pivotal role he played in trade unionism and politics in shaping modern Jamaica.

The ceremony, which was staged by the Hanover Parish Council in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, also featured cultural presentations from schools such as Esher Primary, Sandy Bay Primary and Rusea's High.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com