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Fully Bright Column: Portia Cares

April 12, 2023 | By Eugine Pitter |

As a journalist, I may have been the first to write that Portia Simpson-Miller would become the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica. I then knew politics like the back of my hand.

That was donkey years ago, and, it might take more donkey years for another female to hold such a high profile position. After all, men don’t like women leading them. Not at all, especially when women are charming and loved by the populous.

So, why would I want to write a column about Portia at this time.

Good question.

I had always wanted to write about Portia for years, but now is the right time to do so.

It has nothing to do with politics. Portia is such a caring person that one has to put aside politics to understand.

Those who are Fully Bright understand what I am saying, so calm your nerves and don’t start any form of opposition.

I used to call Portia, sometime four times a week. On many occasion her Assistant was the one to answer the phone and, ever so often, I would be told she was in the shower. So, I should call back, or she would do so.

Portia would be getting ready, but still on the phone to hear my most pressing matters. These had to do with my youth club in the old capital. The numbers were swelling and I needed much help.

She would come on the phone with a pleasant, “good morning”, and for the next five or ten minutes we talked about several issues.

Portia would be offering her best advice, including how to generate support through CHASE, (Culture, Health, Arts. Sports and Education) and how to present proposals and referrals.

Many of those advices worked out well for the benefit of the youths, some who have become role models in their communities.

I will never forget an emergency which could not wait for another day. I decided to try reach Portia even if she was in Timbuktu.

I called once, then twice and a male answered; it was her security personnel who enlightened me that the Minister was in Parliament, but that she would return the call as soon as she was out.

Within fifteen minutes my phone rang, it was Portia on the line requesting that I head down to Hagley Park Road to her office.

Problem solved.

She has never asked me to support her party. Even if that was in her mind. She knew better than to do that.

What matters most is that I saw her as a very caring person with no political make-up or half-baked smile.

Supa Pea

Supa Pea is an award winning entertainment reporter with Vision Newspaper. Reach Supa Pea at jfpipeace@gmail.com

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