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Blackman wants Holetown festivities promoted in multiple languages

Diara Springer
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Blackman wants Holetown festivities promoted in multiple languages

A call has been made for the Holetown Festival to be documented and promoted across the world in multiple languages, positioning Barbados’ heritage on the global stage.

Delivering the feature address at the annual festival’s opening ceremony at the Holetown Monument in St James yesterday evening, just reelected Member of Parliament for St James North Chad Blackman urged the organising committee to leverage technology to preserve and share the festival’s nearly five-decade legacy.

“We have to tell this story across the region, we have to tell this story across the world, we have to promote this story of the festival, not just in English, but pivoting also in French, in Spanish, in Chinese, in German, in Arabic, so that the story of Barbados is not just constrained by English, but therefore it’s limitless with respect to where it can go because of the power of language,” he told those gathered.

He encouraged the committee to document and capture the voices of founding members and longstanding participants for future generations.

“Perhaps you may even want to consider speaking to some of the persons who would have started the festival, and who have been intimately involved, capturing that into podcasts and videos, and allowing for young people and older persons to be able to tell not just the story of the Holetown Festival, but the importance of this festival to Barbados,” he said.

The 49th edition of the festival, under the theme Holetown Ignites 60: Honouring Our Past; Celebrating Our Future, is paying homage to Barbados’ 60th year of Independence in November. The weeklong celebration, which will run until February 22, kicks off the festival season in Barbados.

Blackman also challenged Barbadians to transform cultural expression from ceremonial occasions into everyday practice and sustainable income.

“I want to see a Barbados where I can go anywhere in Barbados and see young people playing a tuk band, not only in a festival like this or in a moment where there’s an organised event. Our culture must be a day-to-day lived reality, and that way you build on top of what we have, and therefore the cultural expression becomes not just a living reality, but an income earner outside of these structures,” he stated.

The evening began with traditional pageantry as a herald’s “Hear ye, hear ye” signalled the start of a colourful parade from the Holetown Methodist Church to the monument. The lord and lady, resplendent in Victorian-era attire, led the procession followed by cultural groups, including the Barbados Landship Association and the Haynesville Youth Club, complete with tuk band and mother sallies.

The ceremony featured a rich tapestry of performances. Calypsonian Donella paid tribute to Sister Marshall with renditions of Marching On and Walk Holy, while Kofi Gilkes delivered spouge on saxophone.

The evening concluded with a soca segment featuring Niara’s We Love It, reigning Pic O De Crop monarch Mr Blood performing his winning calypso Don’t Wait before being joined by Mikey for Heart Of The Party, and festival ambassador Hypasounds bringing down the curtain with a number of his hits.

(DDS)

Jama Masjid Mosque marks 75 years of community and faith 

Julia Haynes
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Jama Masjid Mosque marks 75 years of community and faith 

Long before the Jama Masjid Mosque became a landmark on Kensington New Road, St Michael, a small group of pioneers determined they needed a foundation to preserve their faith.

This year, the oldest mosque in Barbados celebrates its 75thanniversary. This milestone reflects a journey of worship from humble rented rooms to a permanent spiritual home for the Muslim community. 

The story of the mosque is an important chapter in Barbadian history. The first settlers from India arrived in the early 20th century. Many were travelling salesmen, working hard to create a life in a new place. While they blended into society, they focused on one goal: establishing a central place for worship and education to keep their heritage alive for future generations. 

Abdus Samad Pandor, whose father was a scholar and played a key role in the mosque’s early development, believes the community’s success comes from the commitment of its founding members. 

“I think they would be very proud of our achievements and the fact that we’ve held on to the faith for so long. Growing up as a youngster in Barbados in the 50s was challenging. To be able to retain the faith, I think that’s what they would be more proud of.”  

Don’t miss our 8-page special feature in this week’s Sunday Sun. We talk with senior members of the community and meet the youth who are carrying the torch into the next century. Read the full special feature on Jama Masjid, only in the Sunday Sun.

#MeAndMyNation #YourNewsYourTimeYourWay #TheSourceMatters #Barbados

Laff-it-Off brings humour to issues

Nationnews Desk
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Laff-it-Off brings humour to issues

Hijinx, defence classes for nurses, “stocktaking”, expectations, and some good old rum shop wisdom will have you cracking up at Laff-it-Off 2026.

From the opening scene to the curtain closer, the cast of the show themed Evry Dog Got ‘e Day delivers non-stop, side-splitting laughter and solid punchlines which should come with a caution alert for their audiences as they provide a satirical look at some of the memorable happenings of last year and those that have taken place this year.

The show also offers situations to ponder on including the “number one reason for depression in men”, what happened at the port, road rage, and relationships both May-December and among ageing individuals.

As customary, the action is centred around the legendary Nook & Cranny Bar, a mainstay of the community, which, this year, a dubious foreign investor – Roderick Harold Johnson III (played by veteran stage actor Samud Ali) has set his sights on. His offer is so tempting that proprietress Ali (Janine White) contemplates selling while Dolly is against turning over the institution in the community to another person.

Politics

Big Rock (Vilmore Johnson) is also for the sale, but that eagerness is tempered by Nooksina (Asha Elcock) who smells something fishy about the prospective investor and questions his intentions. It all comes to a head in a later scene in which Ali is seen packing up the goods and reminiscing about the good times and history of the bar, a foreshadowing some might say, of its future.

If politics is your thing, know that there are many skits that will satisfy you such as the entertaining action from the social harmony integrity team which involves many of the cast. You must see it for yourself to appreciate the full extent.

But underneath the levity and skilfully placed soft blows, the 41st staging of the production playing Saturday nights at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre until March 8, again examines issues concerning the public, often ventilated on call-in radio programmes.

Debut

Among those being tackled on stage are the numerous potholes found on the island’s road network, poor customer service in the public and private sectors, the vexing brown water issue plaguing the residents of St Lucy, and the encumbrances to owning a piece of the rock through the state.

The cast, which includes Kraigg Carrington who makes his Laff-it-Off debut, and Angelo Lascelles the stage director, are so accurate and deadpan with their deliveries that you find yourself laughing repeatedly from the punchlines and, or, their facial expressions.

In his return to the theatrical stage, Ali’s experience shows. Both he and Carrington fit into the production like hand-in-glove.

Music is an important element of the show which runs for more than two hours. The writers and directors use it effectively to highlight challenges the country faces, one of which is the costs and standard of living.

If you haven’t already attended Laff-it-Off this season do yourself a favour and make plans to do so. It is a must-see.

You’ll be treated to top tier acting, reflections of noteworthy happenings, and good singing. You’re sure to get a bellyful of laughs and you just might find yourself saying, “I remember when that happened” as the notable moments are re-enacted in living colour and humming along to the tunes. Laff-it-Off 2026 is great show.

(PR)

Governor points to significance of BERT 2026

Shawn Cumberbatch
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Governor points to significance of BERT 2026

With the Mia Amor Mottley administration returned to office for a third term, the plan to transform Barbados’ economy must now take centre stage, especially boosting the country’s productivity and competitiveness, including by completing key reforms and accelerating private sector investment.

Central Bank Governor Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge yesterday underscored the importance of these initiatives and the overall implementation of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation 2026 (BERT 2026) plan.

International credit rating agency Fitch said separately on Friday that last Wednesday’s General Election victory positioned Government “to continue its reform programme with . . . BERT” and that the administration was well placed to make further progress in key areas.

BERT 2026 was laid in Parliament before Barbadians went to the polls and Greenidge saw its successful implementation as central to future economic prospects.

“BERT 2026 represents the third phase of Barbados’ reform journey. The first phase stabilised the economy. The second restored growth. This phase is about transformation,” he said.

“The importance of BERT 2026 is that it moves us beyond fixing what was broken and toward building what is sustainable. Stabilisation gave us fiscal discipline, restored reserves and rebuilt credibility. Growth returned activity but transformation is about changing the structure of the economy so that growth is stronger, more resilient and more inclusive.”

Main focus

Greenidge noted that increasing productivity was the main focus.

“Barbados cannot rely on volume growth alone. We must produce more value per worker, per dollar of investment, and per unit of infrastructure,” he said.

“That means modernising public services, reducing friction in permits and approvals, improving digital infrastructure, strengthening logistics and building higher-value export sectors. Productivity is the foundation of higher wages, stronger public finances and long-term prosperity.”

Greenidge said competitiveness was the second pillar and that “we must make Barbados easier to do business in, easier to invest in and easier to live and work in”.

“That includes completing reforms in customs, business registration, financial markets and capital access. It also means strengthening institutions like Invest Barbados and ensuring that private capital, domestic and foreign, can move into productive sectors efficiently,” he explained.

“Resilience is equally critical. Barbados remains vulnerable to climate shocks and global volatility. BERT 2026 embeds climate resilience, renewable energy expansion, water and food security, and disaster risk management into the core economic framework. Resilience is not a separate environmental agenda; it is economic risk management.”

A number of reforms were earmarked in the BERT plans of 2018 and 2022, and Greenidge said that “completion of key reforms is essential”.

“Some of the most complex stateowned enterprises still require restructuring to improve efficiency and reduce fiscal risk. That work must be completed. Stronger governance, clearer performance targets, and reduced transfers from the central government will free up fiscal space for investment in people and infrastructure,” he said.”

Barbados’ future economic performance is also dependent on expanded private sector investment, Greenidge stressed.

“Public investment alone cannot deliver transformation. We need deeper capital markets, stronger SME governance, operationalisation of the Innovation Growth Market, effective public-private partnership frameworks, and a pipeline of investable projects.

“The role of the state is to remove barriers, provide credible policy direction and crowd in private capital.”

His view was that BERT 2026 must ultimately “become a platform for broad-based growth”.

“That means growth that raises productivity, strengthens fiscal fundamentals, deepens domestic value creation and expands opportunities for young Barbadians. Transformation is not about a single sector or project. It is about aligning fiscal policy, structural reform, private investment, and human capital so that growth benefits the entire society,” Greenidge said.

“If we maintain discipline, complete the outstanding reforms, and focus relentlessly on execution, BERT 2026 can position Barbados not just to grow, but to grow stronger and more resilient in a more uncertain global environment.”

Fitch, meanwhile, said the election outcome “facilitates the latest iteration of the Government’s reform programme”.

“BERT 2026 follows two successful programmes that focused first on stabilisation of government finances and the economy, and then on economic growth. The country also completed an International Monetary Fund programme last year,” the credit rating agency stated.

Shifts focus

“The third BERT programme shifts the reform focus toward longterm transformation of the economy, aiming to ameliorate challenges relating to labour productivity growth, investment gaps, climate and external risks, and contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises.”

Fitch called BERT 2026 “an ambitious attempt to tackle structural constraints on potential growth”.

It’s view, however, was that “the record of successful reforms backed by strong political commitment, a supportive Social Partnership and the Government’s newly refreshed mandate position it to make further progress in key areas”.

It recalled that “previous BLP governments had already moved public finances onto a more sustainable path, with debt to GDP falling to 94.6 per cent in 2025 from a peak of 178.9 per cent in 2018”.

Fitch added: “The debt ratio is still high, the 2025 ‘B’ category median was 53.4 per cent, but the positive outlook on Barbados’s ‘B+’ rating reflects Fitch’s expectation that it will decline further, as continued fiscal discipline causes deficits to swing to surpluses from the fiscal year ending March 2027.

“International reserves increased to US$1.5 billion in 2025 from a low of US$200 million in January 2018, providing additional buffers against external shocks. Fiscal stabilisation has led to renewed investor confidence in government paper, as indicated by Barbados’s reentry into global capital markets in June 2025 with a US$500 million bond issue.”

Fitch said the institutionalisation of reforms, ensuring they persist beyond the current administration, “is key for the long-term stability of the government’s finances and continued debt reduction”.

“A possible third IMF programme could serve as an emergency fiscal backstop, although not this is not currently in development,” it noted. (SC)

Former CBC employees decry pension cut

Diara Springer
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Former CBC employees decry pension cut

A group of disgruntled pensioners of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) say they are considering their next move after learning that their monthly pensions have been reduced.

The former employees, numbering about 20, met recently at Brandons Beach to discuss what they described as an unexpected and distressing development. At the centre of the issue is Government’s decision to treat them as civil servants following its takeover of the collapsed CBC private pension plan.

Spokesperson for the group, Rosemary Alleyne, a retired veteran broadcaster, said the group was shocked when letters from the Treasury informed them that their pensions would be abated.

“Most of us were accustomed to getting a particular pension from the CBC but since Government has taken over paying that pension from ICBL, which is a private pension, we received letters from the Treasury basically saying that our pensions would be abated, which was a shock to all of us,” she said.

Alleyne explained that many of the retirees had already experienced one abatement when their pensions were initially calculated in conjunction with payments from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). However, after Government assumed responsibility for the private pension fund last March, they were informed in January this year that their pensions would be reduced again.

“Our pensions have already been abated and this now will be a second abatement,” Alleyne shared. “Because the CBC private pension collapsed and Government took it over, Government is saying to us now that they are treating us as civil servants, which means that we would be subject to this particular pension that speaks to joining the civil service,” she added.

The retirees strongly rejected that classification. “We were never civil servants . . . . So how come, in my case, eight years later [post-retirement] that I am a civil servant? So I am to be disadvantaged by a second abatement of my pension?” Alleyne asked.

She said the reclassification came as a surprise to many, with some pensioners initially not even understanding the meaning of the letter they received.

“Last month is when all of us were informed that we were being treated as civil servants. So surprise, surprise to everybody,” she said. “People didn’t even know what the letter meant. Some people said abatement means that it’s finished. But we did not understand that our pensions are abated again.”

According to Alleyne, the reductions are significant. In some cases, retirees are losing between $1 500 and $1 600 per month. She pointed to one pensioner, now 83 years old, who left CBC in 2003 and is facing a cut of more than $1 500 some 23 years later.

Beyond the pension cuts, Alleyne said there were other outstanding financial matters, including adjustments related to back pay issued three years ago. She argued that such payments should have triggered corresponding adjustments to pensions and gratuities.

“What is injurious in all of this is that the CBC is not talking to us about these things. They’re not speaking to us,” she stated, noting that many of the retirees had given 30 to 40 years of service to the institution.

“Frustration is coming because you cannot get any information from CBC. CBC is not talking to us,” she continued.

Although the group had not yet decided on a definitive course of action, Alleyne made it clear they did not intend to let the matter rest.

“I can assure you that something is going to be done,” she confirmed.

(DDS)

Mohameds want suspension of extradition committal prceedings

Nationnews Desk
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Mohameds want suspension of extradition committal prceedings

Lawyers representing Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, and his billionaire businessman father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed  are seeking an order from the Court of  Appeal suspending the extradition committal proceedings in the magistrate’s court.

The lawyers said that their clients who are wanted in the United States on fraud and other related charges want the Court of Appeal to suspend the proceedings until a substantive appeal of an earlier High Court ruling decision on the Authority to Proceed (ATP).

“For the substantive appeal to be meaningful, the proceedings before the learned magistrate ought to be stayed otherwise, if successful in the substantive appeal, the proceedings before the learned magistrate may have well advanced or concluded to the detriment of the Appellants who would be committed to prison to await extradition or the outcome of habeas corpus proceedings,” the lawyers said in court documents.

Chief Justice, Navindra Singh had dismissed the case challenging the decision of Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, to issue the ATP to Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman to hold the committal proceedings on the grounds of political bias by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic-led administration.

The younger Mohamed is the leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) that won 16 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly following last September 1 regional and general election.

The Mohameds have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly smuggling more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold worth more than US$50 million and in the process failing to pay the relevant taxes to the Guyana government.

Last October, a US Federal Grand Jury unsealed a 11-count indictment on the Mohameds for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. Subsequently, the US requested his extradition to face trial for those alleged crimes. The extradition matter is now  before the local courts.

Their attorneys -Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva – are arguing governmental persecution, presumed bias, apparent bias, unconscious bias, bias of the Attorney General, and an erroneous decision by the High Court.

They say that the committal proceedings are likely to be completed within a one month period based on how Magistrate Latchman is scheduling the matter on the insistence of the US prosecutors.

“There is a most conspicuous and real risk of injustice, danger and serious prejudice occurring for which damages cannot compensate should the stay sought herein be refused,” they said in the documents filed with the Court.

In addition, the lawyers argue that their appeal has every likelihood and prospect of success having demonstrated a strong prima facie case to the entitlement to the substantive orders sought for the reasons and facts stated.

The documents state that Chief Justice Singh’s decision was premised on a number of errors of law and of fact which operated altogether to miscarry justice.

The lawyers say the judge erred in law when he failed to consider that Walrond’s decision to issue the ATP put at stake their clients’ right to liberty and other fundamental rights and required the weighing of innumerable factors set out by statute and common law.

In addition, the lawyers argue that the Mohameds are of the opinion that the presumed and apparent bias which infected the home affairs minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, jointly and severally, caused the ATP made against them to be void, a nullity, in breach of the rule of natural justice of no one should be a judge in their own cause.

The lawyers want the Court of  Appeal to quash the ATP which purported to impart jurisdiction to the Third Respondent to commence the extradition proceedings against the Mohameds under the Fugitive Offenders Act.

“It is clear that the bias which infected” the home affairs minister and the Attorney General “automatically disqualified and rendered void the ATP. It is clear that if successful in this appeal, the extradition proceedings brought under the ATP must necessarily fail.”

The Mohameds also want the Court of Appeal to find that the judge erred in law when he failed to consider that the classifications of quasi-judicial, judicial and administrative decisions were no longer relevant to modern administrative law as what mattered was the substance and effect of the decision under review (the ATP decision) rather than how it ought to be labelled.

Further the Court of Appeal is being asked to agree that the hearing judge erred in law when he failed to consider that Walrond’s decision to issue the ATP was not the end of the matter but that, if the magistrate ordered the committal of the applicants, the First Respondent would then be bound under s.26(1) of the Fugitive Offenders Act, Cap. 10:04, to make the final decision as to whether or not to issue the order extraditing the Applicants and so her impartiality was indispensable to the Applicants’ right to receive a fair hearing from an unbiased tribunal/decisionmaker.

The lawyers are also arguing that the judge also erred in law when he failed to consider that the appropriate test for apparent bias, i.e. whether the relevant circumstances, as ascertained by the court, would lead a fair-minded and informed observer to conclude that there was a real possibility that the decisionmaker had been biased, ought to have been employed to determine whether or not the Home Affairs Minister and the Attorney General were infected by apparent bias.

They said that the respondents and the USA stand to suffer no prejudice on account of the stay being granted. (CMC)

Holder and Hope lead as Windies march in Super 8s of World Cup

Philip Spooner
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Holder and Hope lead as Windies march in Super 8s of World Cup

Jason Holder led with the ball and Shai Hope with the bat as West Indies recorded a superb third successive win in Group C. They thumped Nepal by nine wickets and qualified for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The Windies Indies had already triumphed over Scotland and England with ease to take command of the group and added two more points when they made light work of the Nepalese on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Fast bowler Holder grabbed 4-27 and restricted Nepal to 133-8 off their 20 overs. He was named the Man of the Match and received the award from Samuel Badree, a two-time West Indies T20 World Cup winner from 2012 and 2016. Hope then smashed unbeaten 61 off 44 balls and Shimron Hetmyer scored 46 off 32 balls as West Indies cruised to 134-1 in 15.2 overs.

Hope said: “It’s crunch time now … into the Super 8s. I’m very pleased. This is what we set out to do and we got here. That’s one step and one hurdle that we’ve crossed and now on to the next stage. I’m glad I actually got the opportunity to decide what I wanted to do first. The guys put the ball in the right areas … It was difficult work for Nepal in the powerplay. Then it was about trying to limit the flow of runs and picking up wickets.”

Hope won the toss and from there controlled the game. West Indies bowled brilliantly from the start and Nepal were at one stage to six wickets down for 73 runs in 15 overs before Dipendra Singh Airee (58) and Sompal Kami (26 not out) added a 54-run stand in the death overs to give the total some respectability.

West Indies will now travel back east from Mumbai to Kolkata where they will face Italy in the final preliminary match on Wednesday morning at Eden Gardens. Due to their wins West Indies have so far pocketed US$96,000 in prize money.

Elsewhere on Sunday night, the most-anticipated game of this marquee global event is set to attract over 750 million viewers when India take on Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with uncertainty still surrounding world cricket’s marquee match-up.

Political and diplomatic tensions between the two nations have often boiled over on to the cricket field. This contest will be the first time the teams have met since last year’s acrimonious Asia Cup tournament in the United Arab Emirates which was won by India where the players refused to shake hands. (PS)

Mixed views on anti-defection law

Carlos Atwell
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Mixed views on anti-defection law

The proposed anti-defection legislation is receiving both support and scepticism from the public.

Following the third 30-0 “redwash” by the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) at the polls last week Wednesday and just after her third swearing-in as Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley said they were seeking to introduce legislation which would require Members of Parliament (MPs) who leave the party on whose ticket they were elected to seek a fresh mandate from constituents via a by-election.

Cadane Pitterson said this was what happened in Jamaica, so it was only fair for it to happen here.

“In Jamaica, whenever you are going to do something like that, you have to go through either a by-election or an in-house vote. It is only fair there’s some sort of voting process for persons who cross the floor. You can’t just cross like that, or, at least, you shouldn’t,” he said.

Carlos Phillips also saw sense in the move. He said: “I think she’s got a point. You shouldn’t be able to cross the floor as you like; you should at least wait until your term is out.”

O’Neale Clarke said politicians suddenly leaving a party to become the Opposition Leader was a gimmick.

“I feel that is just for the money because one person in Opposition can’t do anything. It’s just to get a larger salary,” he said.

Loyalty

For Theophilus Bennett, it came down to loyalty. He said no politician who crossed the floor had loyalty to their original party.

“I think the legislation could work if it stops people from crossing the floor willy-nilly. They have to find a way to make it harder for people to skip around. They have no loyalty,” he said.

A young man, who requested anonymity, wholly agreed with the proposal. He said: “I think it’s fair because you can’t really abuse people’s trust like that. If you realise something is not what you expected, then go to the people who elected you,” he said.

However, not everyone agreed that the proposed legislation should become law. Requesting anonymity, a man said he suspected a hidden agenda.

“You’re supposed to vote for the person, not party. But in this current climate, it sounds like that is an agenda for the ruling party to maintain [absolute] power,” he said.

Another man, also declining to be identified, said: “If it was she (referring to Mottley) crossing, she wouldn’t want nobody stopping her,” he said.

Sheena Pickering called for the issue to be properly ventilated to the public.

“To me, that requires more research to see what other countries are doing. It’s good to have people’s views before making that kind of decision. I would have to research it myself,” she said.

Former Members of Parliament Hamilton Lashley and Bishop Joseph Atherley have already weighed in on the proposal.

Both men have served in more than one party, Lashley as both a member of the BLP and Democratic Labour Party (DLP) as well as an Independent, and Atherley as a member of the BLP and leader of The People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PdP), as well as the coalition Alliance Party for Progress.

Lashley suggested a national referendum on the matter, while Atherley suggested that when the legislation was brought to Parliament for voting, it be done via secret ballot.

In 2018, Atherley resigned from the BLP a few days after being elected as MP for St Michael West, following the first 30-0 sweep at the polls. He became the Opposition Leader and formed a new party, the PdP.

In 2024, Ralph Thorne made a similar move, defecting from the BLP to the DLP following the second 30-0, and becoming the Opposition Leader two years after his election on a BLP ticket as the MP for Christ Church South.

Both subsequently suffered heavy defeats at the polls. (CA)

BLP reporting for duty

Tonisha Rock-Yaw
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BLP reporting for duty

We report for duty!

And with those words Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and her soon-to-be-sworn-in Members of Parliament announced to the thousands dressed in red – who filled the expansive National Botanical Gardens in Waterford – that they were ready to continue the work they started, after securing their third and historic 30-0 win at the polls last Wednesday.

Mottley urged Barbadians to “fall in love with our country again” and to embrace unity beyond party lines as supporters celebrated at the “Thank You” election victory celebration.

Against a backdrop of pulsating DJ music, live entertainment and a sea of waving flags, Mottley shifted the focus from triumph to togetherness, telling supporters that the overwhelming mandate must be matched with humility and collective responsibility.

“Tonight, on Valentine’s Day, in the shadow of what has been another amazing mandate from the people of this country, I ask you all of Barbados, not just those of us in red, to fall in love with our country again,” she declared.

‘Largest possible mandate’

The festive atmosphere was electric. Families, young people and long-time party stalwarts, many dressed in bright red, celebrated what the Prime Minister described as “the largest possible mandate”.

The event doubled as both a victory rally and a Valentine’s Day celebration, with Mottley weaving themes of love, service and national pride into her address.

Recalling that the party had intended to celebrate previous victories in her St Michael North East constituency but was prevented first by overgrown grounds in 2018 and later by COVID-19 restrictions in 2022, she said Wednesday’s win made the choice of venue inevitable.

“I didn’t have to think twice about where you would come,” she said, noting the significance of finally gathering there in person.

But amid the cheers, Mottley cautioned that electoral success alone would not secure Barbados’ future. She challenged citizens, particularly young people, to take ownership of the country’s destiny.

Collective responsibility

“To the young people . . . it is your country that we are building and I want you to treat it with tender care and attention,” she said, warning that without collective responsibility, future generations would not enjoy the Barbados their parents and grandparents had known.

Emphasising personal accountability, she reminded supporters that “no one owes us a living” and called on workers to “do the best that we can do”, while looking out for neighbours, families and communities.

She also underscored the importance of civility and national character, urging Barbadians to hold fast to simple courtesies.

“The things that allow us to be polite – good morning, good afternoon, good evening, thank you, please – they take nothing from us . . . but what they do is to tell people that we are special and that we love and respect ourselves,” she said.

Turning to governance, Mottley reiterated that her administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at reducing poverty and expanding opportunity.

“We commit to continuing to stop poor people from being poor. We commit to fighting injustice wherever it is. We commit to trying to provide as many opportunities for as many of you, especially those who are young,” she pledged.

She stressed the need for partnership between Government, labour and business, promising continued engagement with the Social Partnership and affirming the role of strong unions and thriving enterprises in sustaining economic growth.

Reflecting on the party’s record since its first 30-0 victory in 2018, Mottley said the administration had not abused its mandate, pointing to constitutional reforms that reduced the powers of the Prime Minister and deepened democracy.

“Our mission is to transform Barbados . . . and to make ourselves capable of delivering world-class service and capable of being one of the strongest and most resilient small states on the planet Earth,” she said.

She acknowledged ongoing national concerns, including traffic congestion, crime and drug-related issues and pledged that her Government would address them in the new term.

In a symbolic moment, Mottley reminded the crowd that February 11 marked the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, drawing parallels with Barbados’ peaceful democratic tradition.

“It is a reminder for us never to take for granted what we have built in this country, that we can move from election to election . . . without violence, without incident, without in any way our democracy being undermined,” she said.

As she called newly-elected Members of Parliament to the stage one by one, the celebration swelled, with supporters cheering loudly into the night. Closing her remarks, the Prime Minister summed up the mood of the evening with a declaration that blended gratitude and resolve.

“We report for duty to you, the people of Barbados. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said. t was one big sea of red in the

National Botanical Gardens yesterday. Even before the scheduled 4 p.m. start, the Waterford, St Michael venue was being painted red as thousands of supporters, young and old, turned out to celebrate the Barbados Labour Party’s historic three-peat 30-0 win at the polls last Wednesday. It was also an opportunity for supporters to show their love, not just to the winning party, but to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) staged a massive “Thank You” election victory celebration as motorcades swept through constituencies before culminating in a vibrant show at the National Botanical Gardens.

By as early as 4 p.m., the grounds were filled with patrons taking up various vantage points to enjoy the entertainment, as many made themselves comfortable in their portable picnic chairs.

Patrons gave their approval of the entertainment delivered from the start, with lively performances Chandler, Natalie Burke, Tionne Hernandez,

Marzville, and DJs Menace and Surf Among those soaking up the atmosphere who said she was thoroughly enjoying “I’m enjoying myself so far; the vibes with this turnout here I’m having a good Another patron, Chris Brandis, described memorable.

Good energy

“To be quite honest, it’s a bit epic really. enjoying this scenery. I love that the people culture. I’m happy about this turnout.”

Member of Parliament for Christ Church Straughn, told the Sunday Sun the celebration meaning, coming just days after the party’s Valentine’s Day. He explained that during his constituency, he distributed 200 carnations route and later handed out the remaining entertainment line-up that performances from TC, Barry Hernandez, Brucelee Almightee, Surf Rat.

atmosphere was Sandra Prescod, the experience. vibes are good. I’m so pleased good time.” described the evening as really. The energy is good, I’m people came out to support the turnout.” Church East Central, Ryan celebration carried special party’s election victory and on during the motorcade through carnations to women along the remaining flowers to those gathered at the Botanical Gardens.

“What you just saw is just one of my constituents [to] whom I would have given one of the carnations. But it really is love and I really thank them for their support and I can feel the love right here in the Botanical Gardens,” he said. “Wonderful event so far.

We have some catering at the back, drinks are flowing, nice music and everybody just enjoying the event.”

He also expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting that the crowd grew steadily throughout the day.

“Absolutely pleased with this turnout. We picked up people along the way as we were going through community by community and then we had a full police escort down the highway. Wonderful participation and people came who did the rally with us on the motorcade,” he said, adding that even late into the night, patrons were still celebrating and enjoying the atmosphere.

Vendors reported brisk business as the evening unfolded, with many expecting sales to climb as the crowd continued to grow.

Juanita Payne, owner of Sweet Treats, said sales were steady throughout the afternoon.

“Not bad at all. The cotton candy selling better than the balloons but I still trying with the balloons. For me, every dollar counts and I’m very happy for this BLP party. I call it a party,” she said, noting that nearby vendors, including friends selling smoothies and popcorn, were also doing well.

“I hope the balloons pick up,” she added.

Nearby, Heather Aimes, owner of Heatherlicious, said her food sales were strong, with one local favourite selling out quickly.

“So far, sales are going good at the moment. Only thing, it should be a little earlier in the day. It should have started at 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. so people could get food earlier,” she said. “We do cou cou and flying fish on the spot and that has sold out already. So it’s going pretty well for us.”

Meanwhile, Margaret Greaves expressed understanding about measures affecting vendors operating near passing traffic, noting that while dust from large trucks could be a concern, temporary pauses in service were manageable.

She said she sympathised with the vendors and believed the precautions were in everyone’s best interest, adding that the atmosphere overall reflected unity.

“We are one big family,” she said.

The party continued well into the night as the BLP candidates took to the stage to say their individual thank-yous to their constituents and teams. (TRY)

Rupert Hunter, Chief Commercial Officer of Cricket West Indies quits

Philip Spooner
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0
Rupert Hunter, Chief Commercial Officer of Cricket West Indies quits

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been rocked with the sudden resignation of Rupert Hunter, from the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). 

NATION NEWS learned earlier today that the Englishman has quit the high-profile role and is set to return to the United Kingdom.

Several sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the details and outlined that he communicated the decision to the Board of Directors of CWI and with staff at the headquarters at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, earlier this week.

CWI has yet to confirm the news and have not issued a statement. It is not sure what led to Hunter’s resignation from the prestigious post. Earlier this month he was quoted in a media release on the unveiling of the new playing kit for the West Indies team at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India. 

Hunter has been in the role since 2024. Before joining CWI he worked in various senior roles in the global sporting industry including in the commercial arm of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He replaced Dominic Warne, who was Commercial Director of CWI for several years. (PS)

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