Guyana has lost one of its most enduring independence pioneers, political thinkers and advocates for social justice with the death of Eusi Kwayana, who passed away in the United States on Saturday, October 10, at the age of 101.
The Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which he co-founded in 1974, announced his death in a statement issued on Saturday, describing him as a teacher, mentor, leader and inspiration whose life was deeply intertwined with Guyana’s political evolution, from the struggle against colonial rule to the challenges of the post-independence era.
In a deeply personal tribute, the WPA said his passing had left an irreplaceable void in the nation’s collective life.
“Our elder, teacher, mentor, leader and inspiration has left us to go back to his ancestors. The Sage of Buxton has left this side of the river to return to the source of his spirit.”
The party said that throughout his 101 years and six months, Kwayana- born Sydney Evanson King- remained committed to empowering the vulnerable, defending the powerless and preserving the cultural identity of the Guyanese people.
“Guyana has lost the last of its original independence visionaries—one of Guyana’s priceless gifts to itself,” the WPA declared.
The party said the country’s political and social history over the past eight decades could not be fully understood without recognising Kwayana’s contributions to decolonisation, independence and the development of a distinctly Guyanese political consciousness.
A life devoted to political change
Kwayana’s political journey began in the 1940s, when he became involved in village affairs and joined the movement that led to the formation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). He served as a Cabinet member in the 1953 People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, which was removed from office after Britain suspended the colony’s Constitution.
He later became associated with the People’s National Congress (PNC), serving as its General Secretary and editing its newspaper, New Nation, before moving towards a different political vision centred on grassroots organising, racial equality and social transformation.
In 1974, he co-founded the WPA and remained a committed member for 52 years. He served on its executive, represented the party in Parliament and helped produce its publications, Open Word and Dayclean.
The WPA remembered him as a dedicated organiser whose counsel helped sustain the movement through difficult periods.
“Whenever the party was low on morale, we turned to him for confidence,” the statement said, describing him as a pioneer of the independent radical tradition in Guyanese politics.
Champion of African identity and education
Kwayana’s contribution extended well beyond party politics. In 1961, he co-founded the African Society for Racial Equality and, in 1964, helped establish the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), organisations committed to promoting African pride, dignity and cultural consciousness.
He adopted the name Eusi Kwayana, meaning “Black Man of Guyana” in Swahili, reflecting his Pan-Africanist outlook.
An educator from an early age, he became a primary school teacher at 15 and founded County High School in Buxton in 1956, later renamed Republic Cooperative High School. He was also a prolific writer and playwright whose work explored Guyana’s history, race relations, labour struggles and political development.
His public service included chairing the Guyana Marketing Corporation and several committees dealing with land settlement, cooperative insurance and the development of cooperative banking.
For the WPA, Kwayana’s legacy transcends political parties and generations. His life represented a sustained commitment to justice, cultural identity and the empowerment of ordinary people.
In its closing tribute, the party urged Guyanese to celebrate his life and the example he leaves behind.
“Farewell African star, Guyanese treasure and Caribbean wise man.”
See full statement below
WPA Release to the Media
October 10, 2026
Our elder, teacher, mentor, leader and inspiration has left us to go back to his ancestors. The Sage of Buxton has left this side of the river to return to the source of his spirit. His earthly duty is over. To the very end he kept the faith, cradled the civilisation, protected the vulnerable, and empowered the powerless. His loss leaves an empty chair in the gallery of our Guyanese humanity.
It is with deep sadness that the WPA joins with the Kwayana family in announcing the death of Brother Eusi Kwayana. Although we know death is inevitable and that Bro Eusi would eventually leave us, we thought this day would never come. But it is finally here. We give thanks for his life, his wisdom, his guidance and above all, his example. Guyana has lost the last of its original independence visionaries—one of Guyana’s priceless gifts to itself.
For 101 years and six months this rare and special spirit walked among us with a deliberate purpose that touched the core of Guyana. The Guyana of the last eight decades is incomplete without the fingerprints and footprints of Eusi Kwayana. Along with others and sometimes alone, he lived the Guyanese decolonisation and independence narrative of freedom. WPA declares with certainty that our Eusi was a Founder-Pioneer of our post-colonial order. In him shone the light of the full flowering of the Guyanese, Caribbean and African fusion.
In 1974 Kwayana co-founded the Working Peoples Alliance and remained a committed member until his death. Within the WPA he served as Executive member, Member of Parliament and de facto editor of the party’s organs, Open Word and Dayclean. We remember Eusi as an excellent party organiser and mobiliser. Whenever the party was low on morale, we turned to him for confidence. We also remember him as a loyal party member who never compromised his integrity and independent praxis. It is for that reason that we label him the modern pioneer of the Independent Radical strand in modern Guyanese politics.
While he gave 52 years of service to the WPA, he also labored in the valley for the original PPP and the PNC in which he served as Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary respectively. He served as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Member in the 1953 PPP government. In addition to being General Secretary, he served as editor of the PNC’s newspaper, New Nation.
During the period 1964-71, Kwayana served as head of the National Land Settlement Committee; chairman of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC); chairman of the Cooperative Insurance Committee; and chairman of a committee charged with converting the Guyana Cooperative Credit Society into a Cooperative Bank.
As an Africanist leader he co-founded in 1961 the African Society for Racial Equality (ASRE), which was dedicated primarily to raising cultural consciousness among African Guyanese. In 1964, he co-founded the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), which, like ASRE, committed itself to the promotion of African pride, dignity, and culture among African Guyanese. He served as Coordinating Elder of ASCRIA and changed his name from Sydney King to Eusi Kwayana, which, in Swahili, means Black Man of Guyana.
He gave everything to his country and his people. Farewell African star, Guyanese treasure and Caribbean wise man. We end this initial statement by calling on Guyanese not to mourn Bro Eusi’s passing, but to celebrate his life and lived journey.
