Hanover Eastern weeps for Duncan

NEWS OF the death of political stalwart Dr Donald K. Duncan gripped Hanover Eastern yesterday as former constituents reacted with shock at the passing of a man they affectionately called ‘D.K.’

Grief enveloped the People’s National Party’s (PNP) constituency office in Hopewell as soon as the news broke yesterday, with dozens of persons dropping by to pay tribute, some weeping over the loss of the political icon.

Supporters of both the PNP and the Jamaica Labour Party could be seen gathered at the location, sharing memories of the man who represented them in Parliament from 2007 to 2016.

Former Hopewell councillor Derrick Foster described Duncan as a father, brother, and mentor.

“I met D.K. in 2007, and one day, he told me he that he saw me as a person who could be a future political leader.

He then took me under his wings and taught me the ropes of being a political representative and also taught me the entire electoral procedures,” Foster told The Gleaner.

“Never in my lifetime have I ever seen such a politician. D.K. knows every inch of the constituency and could practically tell all the PNP supporters who were on the voters’ list in the constituency. “Everybody loved him, and when I got news of his passing ... , I was so shocked that I was unable to speak for hours. I don’t think Eastern Hanover – and more so Jamaica – will ever see another individual like Dr Duncan.”

Sharon James-Taylor, the current PNP caretaker for the Hopewell Division, said she was also moved by Duncan.

“D.K. was the person who inspired my political career. He was the one who motivated me each and every way in becoming a political representative ,” James-Taylor said.

“It is very hard running in a division which is mostly won by the Jamaica Labour Party, and so many times I was ready to give up, but D.K. was always there to cheer me up, inspire me with talk about other successful politicians, and encourage me to go on.”

Labelling him as the most understanding politician she has worked with, James-Taylor said that Duncan’s passing has left a void in her heart.

“Di five-star general gone. We teacher gone. We nah go see another man like this,” one man added.

PHOTO BY HOPETON BUCKNOR FILE LEFT: Derrick Foster, former councillor of the Hopewell Division who served while Dr D.K. Duncan was member of parliament for Hanover Eastern.

Hanover Eastern Member of Parliament Dr D.K. Duncan (second left) and other officials look on as community member John Whyte cuts the ribbon to signal the official opening of the Mount Hannah Resource Centre in Hanover, which was established at a cost of approximately $10 million by the school’s past students’ association in collaboration with the Organization of International Development. The MP contributed $100,000 to the project through the Constituency Development Fund.