Jamaica’s mark in anti-Apartheid struggle notable

One of the most prominent voices in the anti-Apartheid movement was the Right Reverend Bishop Desmond Tutu. His advocacy for the freedom of South Africa was marked and when he could single out Jamaica for its involvement in bringing attention to the plight of indigenous South Africans, it means something

Published Sunday, August 17, 1986

Tutu hails Jamaican support

Bishop starts 5-day official visit

Prominent South African anti-apartheid activist, the Rt. Rev. Desmond Tutu, Bishop of Johannesburg, yesterday hailed his official visit to Jamaica as a sign of the country's commitment to, and support for, the struggle against the apartheid system in his country.

Bishop Tutu, who arrived in Kingston yesterday to commence a five-day visit as guest of the Government, made the comment as he sat down to private walks with the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Edward Seaga, during a visit to Jamaica House.

The Bishop, who arrived with his wife a few minutes before one in the afternoon in an Air Jamaica plane from San Francisco, was met at the Norman Manley Airport by Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hugh Shearer, and other dignitaries before being whisked away at the head of a motorcade to the Liguanea Suite of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, where he will be staying until Monday.

Yesterday, he paid a courtesy call on the Governor General, the Most Hon. Sir Florizel Glasspole and Lady Glasspole, Mr. Seaga and the leader of the PNP, Mr. Michael Manley, prior to attending an informal dinner hosted by Mr. Seaga at his Vale Royal residence last night, where he was scheduled to meet hundreds of Jamaicans from all walks of life.

The programme for his visit was thrown into disarray yesterday, however, as he did not arrive on Friday night as scheduled. The Bishop explained that he arrived late in San Francisco on Friday from China to catch the connecting flight to Kingston.

A King's House luncheon which should have been hosted by the Governor General yesterday, had to be postponed to this afternoon. A press conference which was scheduled for the Wyndham Hotel was put back to Monday morning.

Under the weather

Mrs. Tutu was unable to meet Sir Florizel and Lady Glasspole, yesterday, because, as Bishop Tutu explained, "she was feeling under the weather." However, she went to the Stony Hill H.E.A.R.T. Academy and the S.O.S. Children's Village with Mrs. Seaga, after coffee at Vale Royal.

During his visit with the Governor General, Bishop Tutu and Sir Florizel discussed the Bishop's visit to China and Japan, over glasses of orange juice, while Sara Lou Mena, daughter of the Governor General, talked with Miss M'pho Tutu, daughter of the Bishop.

Bishop Tutu commented that life in South Africa for blacks was being made extremely rough by the second State of Emergency imposed by the government.

He said that in his last round of talks with President Botha, he had suggested that the State of Emergency be lifted, but that Botha said that violence had increased the last time it was lifted.

"I said that that was exactly the problem: the Emergency was like taking an aspirin for a toothache, after the aspirin wears off the toothache is still there. I hope that the West is now convinced that the government is not interested in a peaceful solution," Bishop Tutu said.

He said that President Botha had missed too many opportunities already for a peaceful solution to the problem and was now painting himself into a corner, "like Ian Smith did in Zimbabwe."

The Bishop said that he was glad to be somewhere where he did not need an interpreter and settled down to a private chat with Sir Florizel and Lady Glasspole after journalists were hustled out of the King's House living room.

Bishop Tutu and his daughter both signed the Visitors' Book at King's House before departing. The Bishop wrote: "Thanking you for warm generosity and graciousness in inviting us to Jamaica and for your commitment and support to our struggle for justice and peace. God bless Your Excellencies."

The Anglican Bishop of Jamaica, the Rt. Rev. Neville DeSouza and Jamaica's Ambassador to Washington, Mr. Keith Johnson, were also present.

Bishop Tutu's next stop was at Jamaica House, where he was met by Prime Minister Seaga, Deputy Prime Minister Hugh Shearer and Minister without Portfolio, Senator Oswald Harding.

Wood-carving

The Bishop signed the Jamaica House visitor's book on arrival, and wrote: "We are touched by and appreciative of your sympathy and commitment to our struggle for justice and peace."

After talks Mr. Seaga presented to Bishop Tutu a wood-carving done b Lancelot Brian of Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

The carving was done in 1985 and is named "Amos". It is the bearded head of a man and was made from Jamaican Lignum Vitae. Brian is a self-taught artist who studied sculpting at the Jamaica School of Art.

Bishop Tutu commented on seeing the carving: "It is gorgeous. Oh it's so lovely, (but) I can't carry it." Mr. Seaga: "It will be carried for you."

Bishop Tutu: "I am speechless and that doesn't happen very often."

Today, the visiting Bishop has another busy schedule. At 10:30 a.m. he will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marcus Garvey Shrine at National Heroes' Park, Kingston, which will mark the 99th anniversary of the birthday of the late National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey. At 11:30 a.m., he will attend a national church service at the Kingston Parish Church, where he will deliver the sermon.

In the afternoon, he will have a private meeting with representatives of various local religious bodies after which he will attend a public meeting with members of local anti-apartheid groups at the Ranny Williams Centre, Hope Road. This will be followed by a reception at Jamaica House at 8 p.m., which will feature many leading Jamaican entertainers, poets and dancers.

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