SVG remembers former Chief Minister

Ebenezer Theodore Joshua was a very principled guy.That’s how his son Michael Joshua remembers him.{{more}}

Michael is the third of Ebenezer’s children and resides in US Virgin Islands. He is also a retired professor at the University of the US Virgin Islands.

Joshua, who is home on vacation, was in attendance at the Ministry of Culture’s annual ceremony for the remembrance for the former Chief Minister, held on Tuesday evening.

“He hated to see people being taken advantage of, regardless of who they are, or the situation they’re in. He never stood for that and it somewhat rubbed off on me,” he chuckled.

“That’s how I remembered him and he always tried to help where help is needed,” he told SEARCHLIGHT while standing over his father’s grave at the Kingstown Cemetery.

Other attendees at Tuesday’s ceremony included Noel Jackson, who represented the Trade Union Movement, former Culture Minister, Rene Baptiste, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Elvis Charles and members of the Spiritual Baptist Congregation.

“It’s very touching,” an emotional Joshua said, alluding to the number of persons who took the time to attend the remembrance ceremony.

He commended the Spiritual Baptist congregation for their keen interest shown in his father’s life and work.

“It is important to note that the Spiritual Baptist remember him and what he has done and that’s a good sign,” he said.

Michael revealed that he had a “very close” relationship with his dad, especially before his father entered politics.

“He was in the teaching profession, so every chance he got, he was teaching me. That is one of the prices we paid for him going into politics.

“He just didn’t have the time after, like he had before, but he was there for us. He did a lot of things for us,” Michael said.

Cultural Officer within the Department of Culture, Anthony Theobalds told SEARCHLIGHT that he was pleased with the support shown towards the ceremony.

“It was a good turn out from both the Spiritual Baptist members and other persons who showed up.”

As a young man, Joshua left St Vincent and travelled first to Trinidad in 1941 then to Guyana (then British Guiana) in 1943. He returned to Trinidad from Guyana in 1945 and found employment in the teaching profession.

While in Trinidad, he became interested in trade union movement. He later entered politics upon his return home to St Vincent, and was elected to the island’s assembly in 1951. In 1952, he founded the People’s Political Party (PPP). He also formed the Federated Industrial and Agricultural Workers Union (FIAWU).

Joshua was chief minister of St Vincent from 1956 to 1967.

Joshua’s PPP was described as a socialist political party whose initiatives included improving working conditions and wages.

Joshua died on March 14, 1991. (AA)