As we listen to the Independence message from Jamaica’s ninth Prime Minister, the Honourable Andrew Holness, it may be interesting to look at the similarities to another message of similar ilk. Jamaica’s first Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, 59 years ago today, also spoke of the potential of a great nation, in charge of its own destiny. Bustamante spoke of belief in the potential of the people and the need to harness that potential. Sound familiar?

Published Wednesday, August 8, 1962

Prime Minister's Independence Message:

I know you will respond to the challenge

“I speak to Jamaicans both at home and overseas as the Prime Minister of the Government of Jamaica at this historic moment when we attain our Independence.

I speak with humility, fully conscious of the opportunities of service that are mine. But I speak also with pride and courage because I have faith in my people and I know that you all will respond to the challenge of this new era on which we now enter; and to the difficult tasks and heavy responsibilities ahead of us.

Independence means the opportunity for us to frame our own destiny and the need for us to rely on ourselves in so doing. It does not mean a license to do as we would like. It means work and law and order

‘Out of many one people’ we have chosen as our motto; and very true it is. All of us should be proud of the example of racial harmony which we have set for the rest of the world.

We have come a long way together. As a sovereign people we shall make new friends and new alliances. But we shall never forget our friends, nor shall we forget the lessons that they have taught us.

Come then, let us, thanking Almighty God for this great day, go forward together into the future with faith, courage and dedication. Let us resolve always to help those less fortunate among us. Let us resolve to work together under the law; to build a Jamaica which will last and of which we and the generations to follow may be proud; remembering that especially at this time the eyes of the world are upon us.

May God bless you all”

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