Leaders Of Class
December 1, 2020 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |
Political Perspective:
Do excuse me if you think I am biased by chosing to consider that The Rt. Excellent Sir. Alexander Bustamante and Edward Phillip George Seaga are leaders of class.
They are not alone, but this is their day.
Substance Over Hype
The recently concluded leadership race in the 82 year old PNP has prompted me to look at this aged old question of leadership. The very popular Lisa Hanna was seen by many as the person to lead the PNP. Yet the delegates in their collective wisdom chose a less unknown figure and less charismatic individual to lead them … hopefully out of the deep hole that they have sunken into. They chose substance over hype, to borrow a very popular slogan of our time. They were not taking any chances.
The Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley does fall in this category also, but he will be dealt with in a subsequent perspective. He is undoubtably one of the fathers of the Jamaican Nation.
As for statesmanship these leaders take the cake. This is not to suggest that they were perfect. Hell no … as humans they had their frailities, but their strengths dwarf any perceived failings.
Patriotic
They put country above self at all times. Busta as he was affectionately called stood tall among men and commanded much respect. The recent upheavals in the People’s National Party (PNP) make Busta and Blinds (Seaga) stand out as leaders who feared none and in the process took no prisoners. It was their way or the hiway. They led without counting the cost. They were no about accumulating illicit fortunes for themselves. Nation building was their sole focus. They had fixity of purpose and never craved cheap popularity over high moral or ethical principles. Lisa Hanna should take time out to study the lives of these two political stalwarts who certainly were ahead of their times. They were firm, but compassionate. People always matterered to them.
We will look at other leaders in this series. Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey also comes to mind.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a veteran journalist with an international exposure.
