Acting prime minister was proud to announce the renaming of the Spanish Town Highway to Mandela Highway. He spoke of the impact Mandela had on the world and why it was so important to name such an important roadway after him.

Published Thursday, July 19, 1990

 Mandela Highway is now official

 IT’S official now. The highway between Six Miles and Jose Marti roundabout on the old Spanish Town Highway is now Mandela Highway. In a gesture of solidarity with and in honour of the work of Nelson Mandela, Acting Prime Minister P.J. Patterson yesterday officially renamed the Spanish Town Highway, the Nelson Mandela Highway.

Yesterday was the 72nd birthday of Nelson Mandela.

The Kingston-Spanish Town Highway was chosen to honour Mr Mandela because it represents the main road that carries the heaviest volume of vehicular traffic, according to Mr Patterson. It also connects the rest of the country with the city.

Mr Patterson said that because of the inner strength and discipline of Mr Mandela during imprisonment, those who walk, ride, or drive along the highway should exert the same discipline in consideration of others. This, he said, would transform Mandela Highway into “a symbol of life” instead of death. He said he hoped Mr Mandela and his wife Winnie would visit Jamaica soon.

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