By Michelle Ann Joseph- This distinguished gentleman needs no introduction to some but must be introduced to the younger generations. It’s imperative that our youth in Guyana, the Caribbean and around world be made aware of the numerous contributions; made by none other than Mr. Eusi Kwayana.
He was way ahead of his time. The foundation he laid, his charisma, selflessness, courage and humility are just a few of many attributes to his personality.
Eusi kwayana, born Sydney King, on 4th of April, 1925, in Lusignan a village on the East Coast of Demerara. He grew up in Buxton a neighbouring village.
Before becoming the prominent Guyanese politician, writer and cultural activist, Kwayana was the founder and Principal of the County High School in Buxton, the village which his name was synonymous.
Mr Kwayana had a long and illustrious career. He was known for his distinguished association with the major social, cultural and political affairs in Guyana. He was a founder member of the Executive Committee of the People’s Progressive Party(PPP) at its birth in 1950. He served as Minister of Labour, though his tenure in that capacity only lasted 133 days.
That same year, Mr. Kwayana along with other party leaders were detained by the British Army after the Government was dissolved and the constitution suspended by the British Colonial Governor.
It is important to note that Kwayana was one of the leaders of his generation who fought British Colonial Rule after World War two, along with Forbes Burnham, Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Winifred Gaskin, W.O.R Kendall, Jane Phillips-Gay, Boysie Ramkarran and others. In 1955 the PPP party had split into two factions, the PPP led by Cheddi Jagan and the PPP led by Burnham. Critics argued that the separation of the political giants may have contributed to weakening the national movement in Guyana.
Though the split was initially ideological in character; Jagan was communist and Burnham was socialist, the division reflected the nation’s underlying ethnic tensions between Indo and Afro Guyanese. Inasmuch as, the two parties showing Afro Guyanese, in the main gravitated to Burnham, and Indo Guyanese to Jagan, Kwayana remained with the Jagan faction.
However, Kwayana, subsequently joined the People’s National Congress (PNC) in 1957 that was formed by Burnham. Kwayana was the PNC’s first Vice-Chairman. In 1961 he became the PNC’s General Secretary and Editor of the party’s newspaper, the New Nation.
In the early 1960’s, Kwayana became prominent in the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), along with another renowned Guyanese; H.H. Nicholson. He advanced the notion of joint premiership, representing the two major parties, as an effort to improve racial relations. His idea did not materialise.
ASCRIA was an organisation promoting Guyanese and Pan-Africanist thinking, at a period when, there were rising racial tensions in Guyana. ASCRIA promoted black unity and solidarity.
In 1968, at the height of his involvement in ASCRIA, he changed his name from Sydney King to “Eusi Kwayana” which in Swahili means “black son of Guyana.”
In 1971, Kwayana severed ties with the PNC. This split was said to be influenced by his dissatisfaction with issues pertaining to racial division, corruption and how to settle matters related to its kind, or the lack thereof.
Mr Kwayana continued in his quest for better governance for his people. He was not dissuaded by past hurdles or political differences and ideologies, he pushed on. ASCRIA merged with other independent groups and individuals, including the young historian, Dr Walter Rodney, to form the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in 1974.
The WPA held meetings thereafter, to discuss whether it was time, for Indo and Afro Guyanese to unite on the political front, in a struggle for their rights as it was in the early 1950’s.
In 1979 the WPA became a formal political party. In an era that was coined the “Civil Rebellion,” Kwayana became the main writer in Dayclean, the WPA’s sole weekly newsheet.
In 1985 General and Regional Elections, the WPA won a parliamentary seat that was occupied by Kwayana.
In Parliament, Kwayana developed a presence that managed to be simultaneously polite, incisive and effective. His expansive knowledge of parliamentary procedures and rights, the legal system in general came as no surprise, since his exemplary career began in the 1950’s.
Kwayana made his mark in developing a philosophy of multiracialism that specifically addressed the Guyanese context.
A writer in his own right, he wrote extensively on Culture, Art and Economics. His most celebrated published speech in 1978, ”Racial Insecurity and The Political System,” will always be etched in the memories of those who were fortunate to hear it.
His books include:
Next Witness (1962)
Guyana: No guilty race (1999)
Buxton-Friendship in Print and Memory (2000)
Scars of Bondage (2002)
The Morning after (2005)
Walter Rodney: His last days and campaign (2009)
Added to his speeches, books, and frequent newspaper articles, we must include lyricist or songwriter. He composed the lyrics of the WPA, PNC and PPP party songs.
Mr. Kwayana migrated to the United States in 2002, he currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia a place where he continues to write and publish.
We must not forget the men and women whose contributions to humanity, in order to build, foster and enhance the growth and unity of a nation and the world. His tireless efforts must not go unnoticed or be forgotten.
We salute the living inspiration who is Mr. Eusi Kwayana! In celebration of Black History Month, we salute this gentle giant! We speak his name! We speak his name.
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References:
Hinds, David “The African Society for Cultural Relations with independent Africa”
“Eusi Kwayana “Emancipation”
Birbalsingh, Frank. The People’s Progressive Party of Guyana 1950-1992.An oral History. London. Hansib 2007
