One of the highlights of the weekend celebrations marking four years as a republic and 59 years of independence was the installation of Barbados’ second ceremonial president, following its decision to remove the British monarch as its head of state in late 2021.
Jeffrey Bostic, former health and wellness minister, retired army colonel, and ex-parliamentarian, was sworn in during a glittering ceremony on Sunday.
He replaces Sandra Mason, a former judge and the last governor general of Barbados, who stepped down after serving only one of her two mandatory four-year terms.
Mason had also overseen Barbados’ transition to a ceremonial presidency when the island became a republic at the end of November four years ago.
“The office of the president is my current destination, and I am immensely proud to serve my country at the highest level, but my focus this morning and throughout my tenure is the journey that brought me here – from Chapman Lane to State House,” said the new president at the well-attended ceremony at the Kensington Oval known more for international cricket than presidential installations.
“I stand before you today not as a son of privilege, but as a son shaped by this city, from modest beginnings to achievements I could scarcely have imagined; not as a man of rank, but as a man of duty; not as a politician, but as the son of our enduring republic,” Bostic said as a light rain cooled the temperature.
His 89-year-old father was there to see the decorated former military officer being sworn in, but he did express sorrow that his late mother was not there at the ceremony.
He said she was the “mortal architect of my journey, the greatest domestic economist” who never saw him become a lawmaker.
“I can still hear your voice saying, ‘This is all I have to give you today, so try and make it do’; or hear you during the late hours of the night saying, ‘Lord, what am I going to cook tomorrow?’ I know it was a struggle to get me through secondary school, but the resilience I now have, I found in you. You are not here, but you are always with me and will be with me as I climb these new stairs,” Bostic reflected.
Addressing the audience as well was Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who described him as an” embodiment of national duty and resilience, a man who accepted responsibility, did not become weary, rose to the occasion, and at every stage of his life has reflected love of country and love of people.”
