Intellectual giant, diplomat and true internationalist
It is a moment of great honour and pleasure for me to pen a few words of tribute on the occasion of celebrating the 89th birthday of The Most Honourable Percival James Patterson, the former prime minister of Jamaica. I do confess, however, that, it has not been easy to choose what to include and what to exclude, because there are many good things to say about this distinguished Jamaican statesman.
I have known PJ Patterson several years back, but I had the rare opportunity of working closely with him when he was the prime minister of Jamaica and I was president of the United Republic of Tanzania, my dear country. And, before that, when I was Tanzania’s foreign minister, I used to interact with him, directly on behalf of my president, Benjamin Mkapa, or through the relevant officials in his Government.
I would gladly say that I developed immeasurable admiration and respect for PJ as a person, and for what he has been able to do and achieve in the service of his country and the great people of Jamaica. Also, for what he has been doing for the ally. He has been bold, unwavering and unrelenting in pursuit of a cause he believed was just.
PJ was exceptional in promoting cooperation and friendly relations among nations. We in Tanzania have fond memories of how the already strong bilateral relations between Jamaica and Tanzania grew to unprecedented heights. We also appreciated his efforts in promoting closer ties between the Caribbean region and Africa.
We in Africa can testify to his enduring legacy as we remember how he spearheaded Jamaica’s pivotal role in the fight against colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination on the African continent. Owing to his personal involvement, Jamaica emerged as Africa’s natural ally in a number of international fora, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Non-allied Movement, and the Group of 77 and China.
It was no wonder to many of us that on April 19, 1980, PJ lead the Jamaican delegation to the Zimbabwe Independence Ceremony. That day is best remembered by many for the incredible performance one member of his delegation, Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, gave at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
It was heartwarming to me when I visited Jamaica in 2009, besides holding talks with the then Governor General
Sir Patrick Allen and Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the then leader of the Opposition and later prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, I paid a courtesy call on former Prime Minister PJ Patterson. In my talks with him I still remember how he exhibited the enthusiasm for preserving unity among the Jamaican people, devotion to Caribbean integration and South-south Cooperation. He was still the PJ I had known over the many years — visionary, eloquent, humble and selfless.
As we mark this momentous birthday occasion, let us celebrate a life well lived by a man proficient in building bridges rather than walls. A man whose vision is cast far beyond the shores of his homeland. I remain deeply grateful for the lifelong lessons learned from a man of such esteemed character. I hope and pray that his legacy continues to motivate upcoming leaders to pursue excellence and selfeffacing service.
Your life imprints an indelible stamp on the fabric of the Jamaican nation.
To my brother and my friend, Prime Minister Patterson, happy 89th birthday. I beseech God Almighty to bless you with a long, healthy, happy and fulfilling life.