THOUGH WE ALL KNOW that death is inevitable, we are still saddened when someone we admire dies. Thereafter we are left to console ourselves that at least the person is out of pain and, having made peace with their maker, is in a better place.
The passing of Sir Branford Taitt is such a case. I knew he was ailing but hoped for a better result.
For me, Sir Branford was the politician’s politician. Affable and focused, he had a sharp mind and quick wit, which he used with devastating effect on opponents. His pronunciation and use of English were impeccable, so one never heard the crude, crass statements from him on the platform that are commonplace today from too many of the young politicians.
Sir Branford was also a man who encouraged young people to read widely to enhance their knowledge, as well as to further their education. He lent me quite a few books from his vast home library and would often quiz me on some aspect of their content when I returned them. That way, you had to read the book.
He was a loyal NATION reader and was always quick to call to point out how our use of language could be improved. And in this exercise he didn’t lecture. Rather, he shared knowledge in an effort to enhance your ability in conveying your message or expressing an idea.
Our sharpest exchange was in the early 1990s when I wrote an article that began “Promises, promises and no performance” and took a jab at politicians.
He was livid. In the most eloquent telling off I ever received, he told me how much sacrifice and abuse politicians took to serve the public, and this was taken for granted. It was an impassioned statement on the job of a politician.
My fondest memory of Sir Branford is of the 1991 election campaign when to a comment from someone on stage about his opponent he retorted, “He can’t touch this” and held his hand aloft to the roar of the crowd. Though insignificant when compared to the magnitude of things he achieved, that moment is etched in my mind because he seemed invincible – he was number one and he knew it.
Rest in peace, Sir Branford. You played an exhilarating innings and will be remembered by all those who had the privilege to witness your stroke play.
My condolences to his loved ones.
??Make a difference – vote
TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY, and I encourage every citizen who has the right to vote to do so. It is only when you vote that you have an opportunity to elect the people with the policies and programmes you prefer to govern this country.
It is also your opportunity to express your view in a significant way on the issues of the day affecting your country. Why pass up this opportunity?
It is nonsensical to say that your vote does not matter because politicians do as they like when they get into office. That has happened because generations of voters have ceded their power to politicians by going cap in hand to them as if begging for a favour when we need anything done in our district, or the basic administrative thing done for ourselves. We need to stop this.
People must realize that the seeking and granting of favours perpetuates patronage, which undermines the systems established in Government to ensure the basic needs of the population are efficiently attended to in a transparent manner.
Those in power are not there to only serve the people who openly supported them, but the entire population – so you don’t have to go begging anybody for anything. If it is a Government service, it is your right, as long as you qualify to receive it.
What people need to remember, too, is that despite all the nastiness and hyperbole the representatives from each political party have been hurling at one another for the last three weeks from the political platform, neither of them intend to undermine or destroy Barbados.
It is not in their interest to do so. Things may get better under one or worse under the other, but both want what is best for Barbados. They just disagree on what is best and how to get there.
I therefore encourage each of you to go out early and cast your ballot. It usually doesn’t take that long to do, but it could make the world of difference as to who ends up in Government for the next five years.
So whether you intend to support the Democratic Labour Party, the Barbados Labour Party or one of the independents, get up early and go and do your duty. Every vote counts.
• Sanka Price is an editor at the NATION. Email him at [email protected].
