Kingston, 16 February 2025 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that her Ministry will fund the commemorative event in honour of the National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, at Blenheim in Hanover on February 24.

The event, marking the National Hero’s birthday, is normally funded by the Hanover Municipal Corporation. However, this year, the Municipal Corporation has indicated that it is unable to fund the event as normal.

Minister Grange has said that the Ministry will fund the event through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

The decision was made following discussions involving the Member of Parliament for Hanover Western, Miss Tamika Davis, and the leadership of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Minister Grange said the commemorative event at Sir Alexander’s birth place will include “performances by students, the laying of floral tributes, and reflections on the life of the great leader.” The Guest Speaker will be the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge.

In the light of the situation at the Hanover Municipal Corporation and uncertainty over this important event at Blenheim, Minister Grange has instructed that her Ministry, through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, “must now play a leading role in organising commemorative events linked to National Heroes, working closely with local authorities.”

There will also be a Floral Tribute to Sir Alexander at National Heroes Park on his birthday. At that event to be hosted by Minister Grange, the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen; the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness; and the Leader of Opposition, Mr Mark Golding, are expected to be among those laying floral tributes.

Sir Alexander, who was Jamaica’s first Prime Minister, was born on February 24, 1884.

Bustamante also won our country’s first general election under universal adult suffrage with the Jamaica Labour Party and was also Jamaica’s first Chief Minister.

Minister Grange said activities such as the commemorative event at Blenheim are critical to preserving the memory of the National Heroes and their various contributions to Jamaica.

According to Minister Grange: “Bustamante will always be remembered for fighting to uplift the working class and for helping us to develop into the people we’ve become - proud, confident Jamaicans who believe we can be the best in the world. Bustamante gave us confidence.

Sir Alexander Bustamante was, is, and will continue to be a source of inspiration for Jamaicans. There is so much in his life and work that we can use to improve our lives.”

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