Sunday, June 17, 2007

The Honourable Malcolm Guishard a stalwart in the struggle for Nevisian Independence has recently passed. I have gotten permission to post a tribute to Guish written by Obi below.

Tribute to Hon Malcolm Guishard – He was a Good man.

By Everton ‘Swagga’ Powell a.k.a Obi

Email: swagga@hotmail.com

The man was a good man!

The man radiated very positive energy on life issues and events. His personality and dignified carriage recalled for me, every time I saw him, a well meaning comprehensively good human being. Yes I know there is a tendency to make these kinds of cliché statements when someone has passed on. But this without any shadow of a doubt is the true essence of the Hon Malcolm Guishard. He always meant well to his fellowmen. To quote him from a very recent conversation we had here in Washington DC, “I always believe in helping people so that is main reason why I got into politics”.

I can vividly remember when he became the CCM representative in St. John’s which is also my constituency. It was Colin Tyrell, Ron Esdaile and myself who braved political backlash in 1992 to campaign hard for him. I am proud to say our political activism among the young people in the Brown Pasture, Cole Hill, Hermitage, Morning Star and Church Ground areas which were all NRP strong holds, gave him the edge over the then indomitable former premier Simeon Daniel. I was there as the CCM representative to count the final votes in the final ballot box which catapulted Malcolm Guishard and thus CCM to political power by a mere 9 votes. What a great decision that was as Malcolm in my opinion turned out to be one of the best all round politicians who has ever graced the political arena in Nevis , if not probably the OECS region. Even his political opponents loved him and his ardent supporters and there were many, are famous to say, “I am voting for Guish not CCM or NRP”.

The last time I saw Malcolm was a few weeks ago here in Washington DC when he was in town representing St. Kitts Nevis as the leader of the opposition at an IMF meeting. After playing phone tag we finally met and I took him to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants where we talked at length. He ordered a chicken dish and I had my usual salmon. A one hour lunch turned into more than 4 hours of just talking and reminiscing. We talked about politics, personal life, family life, friends and his future plans. He was introspective and very relaxed. He seemed like a man who was moving on to bigger and better things. After that very long lunch I got lost driving him back to his hotel but it was time well spent as we talked and joked some more (oh and he also had a great sense of humor). When we finally found his hotel, I dropped him off and we said our goodbyes not knowing that it was the last time I would see him on this side of the human’s journey.

Malcolm wasn’t just my political representative, he was also a friend who was a very good listener and we both shared the political philosophy and desire to see Nevis become an independent country. We chatted on many occasions regarding this issue and no matter how busy he was he always made time for me over the years whenever I visited Nevis so I can meet with him privately to talk about strategies to pursue this goal.

Nevis, the Caribbean and the entire world has lost a good man, therefore, when I heard the sad news I said to myself 'say it isn’t so' but hopefulness was a final wish for an excellent brother and selfless soul who never forgot his people, and made us feel much cared for and blessed as Nevisians. He was kind to all no matter race, creed, class or political persuasion. Neither rain nor sunshine stood between Malcolm Guishard’s belief and efforts to make the Nevisian community a much better place. He was never too proud to offer service or interact at any level to benefit all. I never saw him too angry to build bridges and make a difference. He was a rare kind, especially in politics. He served to the end and remains worthy of emulation.

The late Honourable Malcolm Guishard a.k.a Guish a.k.a.‘Dow’ or among us his circle of friends the “Grumpus” gone but his goodness will live on forever after him. The man was a good man!