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| Pride: David Thompson |
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25th December 1961 – 23rd October 2010 Politician, teacher, lawyer, intellectual and family man, David Thompson was a man of many talents who made the most of every moment of his all too short life. Here ZiNG pays tribute to the Prime Minister of Barbados whose recent loss will be felt deeply across the region. On Saturday 23 October Barbados woke to the news – not entirely unexpected, but no less distressing – that one of its most distinguished and charismatic sons, Prime Minister David Thompson, had passed away. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer for the previous six months. Immediately, from all around the world, tributes came pouring in. ‘A champion for democracy and justice throughout the region’, in the words of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, his outstanding work as advisor to the UN, and a host of international bodies, had won international respect not just for himself but for his nation. Just how strongly that was felt at home was made clear in the magnificent send-off he was given – a state funeral at the immortal Kennington Oval, no less. This event climaxed 11 days of public mourning, as the body lay in state first in the Parliament building, then in his old school Combermere, the George Street auditorium, and finally St John’s Parish Church. His loss was made all the more painful and shocking by two details: his youth – he was only 48 – and its timing. Less than three years had passed since he had led the DLP to a resounding election victory, with all the hopes and aspirations that had raised, especially among the young. After decades of hard work and careful preparation, his life’s work was just about to begin. David Thompson was born in London, England, on Christmas Day, 1961. His parents, Barbadians Charles and Margaret Thompson, moved home shortly afterwards, and David gained entrance to Combermere School. There he rapidly made his mark as a brilliant debater and all-round intellectual, starring on the popular TV show Understanding. After staying on for a year as a teacher, he proceeded to the University of the West Indies, where he studied law, graduating in 1984. From there he joined the Trident Chambers – run by his political and intellectual hero, Prime Minister Errol Barrow. This was a seminal period for David. When Barrow died prematurely in 1987, he won the resulting by-election and, just four years later, was given his first post in the Cabinet, responsible for Community Development and Culture. Here, with his genuine feeling for young people, sport, art and music, he thrived. But his skills were soon required elsewhere, and by 1993 he found himself in charge of Finance, restructuring the sugar and offshore industries, overseeing the IMF stabilisation programme. He was by now General Secretary of the DLP party. In 1994 he became Leader of the Opposition. But despite his own huge and growing popularity, the DLP lost the next two elections, and he resigned. Returning to his old law practice, he put the time to good use, branching out into international finance and corporate, insurance and property law. Reappointed leader in 2006, he galvanised the party and led it to its sweeping victory in the 2008 election. Besides his role as Prime Minister, he assumed responsibility for the key portfolios of Finance, Economic Affairs and Development, Labour the Civil Service and Energy. This was a man with a mission. Alas, it was not to be. As early as March this year his illness had begun to take its toll, and though he struggled bravely on, it finally proved too strong. David Thompson is mourned by his wife Marie-Josephine, and daughters Misha, Oya and Osa-Marie. Their grief is felt by the entire nation, the region, and beyond. |
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