Were Former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte alive, he would have been celebrating his 96th birthday today, March 9. In honour of Mr. Hoyte, Village Voice News publishes below a tribute by former Ambassador Ronald Austin Sr., extracted from A souvenir to treasure.
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Hugh Desmond Hoyte: The Man
By Ronald Austin Sr- Mr. Desmond Hoyte’s private persona was as interesting and fascinating as that revealed by his political life. As an educated individual, he pursued interests outside of the political domain and was decidedly a man of considerable culture. What were these interests?
Above all things, Desmond Hoyte had an enduring fascination for literature. His Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Literature forged a relationship with the great English, European, and Latin American literary tradition. Novels, plays, and poetry aroused his interest. It was the latter that became a pre-occupation. Desmond Hoyte enjoyed reading poetry aloud and sharing the insights derived with friends and colleagues.
In fact, most people turned to Desmond Hoyte to locate a passage of poetry that may be required on the occasion of a death or an event, which was being celebrated. Desmond Hoyte’s knowledge of poetry and his understanding of English Literature as a whole were a source of comfort as well as pride. He would become discomforted if he could not identify a verse of poetry or a chapter of an important novel.
Literature brought consolation. Whenever challenged by events or behaviour or political adversaries, he would recite poetry or quote from the great works of Literature to restore his mental balance.
Music was also a great love. Desmond Hoyte’s taste was Catholic: he loved Classical music, Jazz, Calypsoes, and Folk music, particularly the Guyanese variety. An inspiring piece of Classical music or the lifting tones of a Wynton Marsalis interpretation of a standard Jazz work, like Literature, was a great source of relaxation and comfort.
Desmond Hoyte had accumulated a vast collection of music as he had books. He would often reach in to this collection and play pieces suitable to his mood. With music in the background, he could be the great conversationalist and raconteur that he was. Conversation brought him alive especially if it touched on issues, which were close to his heart.
Often he saw the funny side of things and this could only have come from a deep appreciation of the weakness as well as strength of human nature.
When his political opponents stumbled he would comment ironically, but was never one to continually seek the benefit from the indisposition of his foes.
Literature and music and his ample education humanised Desmond Hoyte. He was therefore a devoted and loving husband, a thoughtful and caring father and above all a human being whose activities were rooted in deeply held principles. Hoyte was a father who would patiently teach his children poetry and pianoforte. He took a strong interest in the education of his children, which he regarded as not merely a means of acquiring a qualification, but more importantly a vehicle for living a principled and service oriented existence.
Desmond Hoyte was blessedly free of the rancour and petty actions of the Guyanese political scene. Once he had stated his position and a clash with his political opponents, he was prepared to carry on the battle at the level of ideas. In this sense he was a unique individual as well as a politician and a man.
