Barbadian genius Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford: truly an iconic figure in his own life time, is dead!
By Stanley Collymore
You always were, still are and
will forever be an irrefutably
phenomenal inspiration in
the lives of all Barbadians irrespective
of the generation, that they belong to;
and also crucially significantly, those
still unborn. A distinct, exceptionally
outstandingly fulfilled life, that very
certainly on your part, was clearly
lived to the fullest; in significantly
quite obviously, advantageously
too, likewise very constructively
distinctively simply shaping the
future and actually the careers
of plainly, multiple generations
of thoroughly indebted Bajans;
as we adoringly call ourselves.
Mortals we all are and Death
is inevitable, although our
Barbadian culture and
upbringing do positively, encourage us
to very welcomingly embrace it as and
when it inevitably comes, and crucially
in no way, intelligently fear it; as Death
so discernibly is not the definitive end.
And you Sir are the classic archetypal
embodiment of this lovely philosophy
of ours and, as such, those of us who
are still here quite uncompromisingly
salute and obviously, wholeheartedly
honour the phenomenal perspicacity
with which you’ve clearly remarkably
conducted your exceptionally styled
honourably lived, and rewarding life.
Consequently, we who remain will
undoubtedly miss you for sure
while absolutely confident
nevertheless, that your very esteemed
presence– eight decades plus among
us and similarly what most irrefutably
quite superbly conscionably, similarly
empathetically and very committedly
stood for, will constantly remain very
deeply ingrained; forever rapturously
treasured and enduringly so lovingly
in the hearts, minds, and recurrently
permanent reminiscences naturally,
of every Citizen– of our meritocracy
motivated, evident politically stable
democracy; crucially well-educated
and an unequivocally plain-spoken,
intrepid independent Bajan Nation!
(C) Stanley V. Collymore
27 June 2023.
Author's Remarks:
On the 26 June 2023 Barbadians both at home and throughout our global Diaspora learnt sadly of the death of one of our most iconic and progressive political leaders who died that day.
Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford: a veritably outstanding educationalist, politician and the 4th Prime Minister of our truly beloved homeland hugely transformed Barbados into the exceptionally quite outstanding society that it is today; not only in terms of education and health with Barbados at the very top of these globally, but equally our country's political maturity and stability, in tandem with the precepts of Meritocracy, Equality and Democracy for all Barbadians regardless of where they live or were born, as the late notable USA Congresswoman: Shirley Chisholm, who was of Barbadian heritage and had her formative education in Barbados always proudly recounted.
I knew Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford personally as we were members of the same political party the Barbados Democratic Labour Party (DLP); and he will be sorely missed. Hence this tribute to him!
I also wish to express my sincerest condolences to Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford's widow, Lady Angelita Sandiford an outstanding Bajan in her own right as a psychologist and educationalist and their three children. My thoughts are with you. And to all my fellow Bajans I know how you feel as I feel the same.
Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford 24 March 1937 - 26 June 2023. Age 86 years. You'll never be forgotten! The Barbados Government and Parliament quite expectedly and highly commendably have confirmed that Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, our former Prime Minister will have a State Funeral.
