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Chief Servant Makandal Daaga and his family<\/p><\/div>
\nOn the Thursday 26th February, 2015, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and the Caribbean Institute of Information and Research (CIIR) hosted the book launch of Makemba Kunle\u2019s \u201cThoughts of Chief Servant Makandal Daaga\u201d at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain. Present at the event were Her Excellency Fidelia Graand-Galon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Republic of Suriname to Trinidad and Tobago, High Commissioner for South Africa, High Commissioner for the Republic of South Africa to Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Maureen Isabella Modiselle, Minister in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Senator the Honorable Kwasi Mutema, head of the Caribbean Institute of Information and Research, Moriba Kwamina, president of the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Aiyegoro Ome and other members of NJAC. <\/p>\n
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Jawara Mobota, addresses the audience<\/p><\/div>
\nThe national anthem was sung by Ife Alleyne followed by an invocation by Noble Khan. The chairperson for the evening Jawara Mobota shared that this date commemorated forty-five years since the formation of NJAC and it was a day of reflection, remembrance and re-dedication of the events of the 1970\u2019s. The evening began with five minutes of inspirational drumming by the Togetherness Drummers. Drumming was an important part of meetings and addresses given in the 1970\u2019s.<\/p>\n
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Dr. Fazal Ali delivers the welcome adress<\/p><\/div>
\nThe welcome address was given by Dr. Fazal Ali, senior vice president and provost of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). He stressed the importance of history and keeping cultural and historical information documented. To this end, Dr. Ali announced that there would be copies of \u201cThoughts of Chief Servant Makandal Daaga\u201d available in libraries at all UTT campuses.<\/p>\n
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Mr. Michael Chevy, member of staff at UTT<\/p><\/div>
\nMr. Michael Chevy, member of staff at UTT read excerpts from Makemba Kunle\u2019s book. He shared the \u201cTen requirements for building a great organization\u201d: pride, humility, discipline, knowledge, faith, understanding, power, selflessness, destiny and love.<\/p>\n
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President of NJAC, Mr. Aiyegoro Ome<\/p><\/div>
\nAn address by the president of NJAC Mr. Aiyegoro Ome followed. In this address he emphasised the significance of the 26th of February because of the double commemoration of the formation of NJAC by Makandal Daaga at the University of the West Indies in 1969 and the first demonstration of the Black Power Revolution exactly one year later in 1970. He then went on to give an account of the events that led up to both the formation of NJAC and the demonstration recalling some of the hardships that were experienced as a consequence of the two events by the members of NJAC. He expressed that it is with great pride that they are here after forty-six years as an organization still standing to maintain the level of consciousness that was generated at that time. In closing he remarked, \u201cI will like you all to read the book and to assure your children that one of the greatest personalities of the Caribbean still lives among us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Mrs. Liseli Daaga, president of the Butler Institute of Lifelong Learning<\/p><\/div>
\nMrs. Liseli Daaga, president of the Butler Institute of Lifelong Learning and wife of Chief Servant Makandal Daaga, also addressed the audience. She re-emphasized the significance of the date and recalled the formation of the organization. Thanks were extended on behalf of their family to Makemba for showing another side of Makandal Daaga\u2019s personality and another side of the organization. She stated that through the book the social aims along with the spiritual reflections of the organization are made known. Mrs. Daaga also expressed the pride she felt for what the organization had done for womanhood stating, \u201cWe steered the women in a new way \u2026 we steered the society in a new way, so more was looked upon where the woman was concerned.\u201d Daaga also addressed issues around women in politics, women empowerment and the strides made by women in breaking the glass ceiling. The book, she concluded, would not only show what the organization is really about but would also give people a different outlook on life itself.<\/p>\n
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Makemba Kunle, author of ‘Thoughts of Chief Servant Makandal Daaga’<\/p><\/div>
\nFollowing was an address given by Makemba Kunle who reflected on his interactions and meetings with Makandal Daaga. He shared with the audience the story of him attending an event where Daaga was a speaker and wishing he had recorded or taken note of what he was saying. From that point onwards, he took notes of Makandal Daaga\u2019s speeches during his intimate sessions which, among other things demonstrated Daaga\u2019s interest and dedication to the masses. The book is a collection of these notes taken. At the end of his address he made a presentation of the book to Makandal Dagga.<\/p>\n
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Head of the CIIR, Moriba Kwamina<\/p><\/div>
\nThe head of the CIIR, Moriba Kwamina gave a brief address, following the theme of the evening which was one of reflection but also added that it was an evening of thanks. He expressed thanks not only to Makandal Daaga but also to Makemba for keeping a record of these thoughts and making it public. \u201cI think he has done this nation and not just the chief servant a great service and I publicly want to thank him\u201d said Kwamina.<\/p>\n
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Political leader of NJAC and Min. in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Sen. the Hon. Kwasi Mutema<\/p><\/div>
\nPolitical leader of NJAC and Minister in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Senator Kwasi Mutema gave the final address of the night. He reiterated the importance of history and reflection. He described Daaga as being a true patriot and thanked him for being an inspiration for all these years. At the end of his address, he also made a presentation to Makandal Daaga.<\/p>\n
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Anthony Emrold Phillip aka ‘Brother Valentino’ performs “No revolution”<\/p><\/div>
\nThe evening also featured a pan solo by Akil George, student of the New Butler Associate Collage who played Bob Marley\u2019s “No woman, No cry” on the double tenor, Caryn Mc Carthy who performed a calypso titled \u201cDaaga, My Hero\u201d and an Indian dance by the Vikash School of Dance. Brother Valentino, ended the entertainment performing two of his songs: \u201cThe roaring 70\u2019s\u201d which he said was inspired by Makandal Daaga and the events of the 1970\u2019s and \u201cNo revolution\u201d. <\/p>\n
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Senator the Honourable Kwasi Mutema and Chief Servant Makandal Daaga<\/p><\/div>
\nThe 1970\u2019s was a significant era in the history of Trinidad and Tobago with the Black Power movement challenging the then existing social structure. The demonstrations, which included mass marches and protests, sent a message to the leaders of Trinidad and Tobago about the dissatisfaction of the masses given the failure in the post-independence era to achieve equality and social development. The 1970\u2019s also saw the rise of ideas and discussions about African identity, racism and the need to address African-Indian race relations. The 1970\u2019s was also an era of new ideas about national development that had an impact on the policies on the political administration, despite the Eric Williams-led government jailing many of the Black Power leaders. This impact led to the nationalization of major industries such as telecommunications and petroleum and the creation of new social programmes.<\/p>\n