"If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.”
A famous quote of Marcus Garvey; this quote is one that truly embodies racial pride, the core of the lessons taught by his excellence.
Commonly known as a 'son of the soil', Marcus Garvey was a great visionary of his time. His contribution to Jamaica, the Caribbean and Africa is undeniable. He devoted his life to the liberation and development of black people across the world, particularly for people of his own country, Jamaica.
This giant among men has left a legacy which has contributed tremendously to the continued growth and sustainable development of the Municipality and Jamaica at large.
Granted, Garvey had many plans articulated in the People’s Political Party Manifesto; one of which was to establish a Jamaican Polytechnic University. Today, we are witnessing the fulfillment of Garvey’s dreams in live and living colour through the recent establishment of the Polytechnic College in Trench Town, Kingston.
After 87 years, we are quite proud to have fulfilled this ambition. This educational strategy is designed to provide students with highly employable technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills that will advance their ability to be creative, productive, competitive, and self-reliant through quality and relevant education. Few can deny the impact of technical/vocational education and its role in entrepreneurship, gross domestic product and by extension national development.
This institution has restored the pride of the South St. Andrew communities and has shifted the downward trajectory of crime and violence, unproductive conflict and learned helplessness for scores of youths and their families. The multiplier effect the institution has had on the value of Jamaica is immeasurable. We have testimonials from youths who once were major players in gangs and nefarious activities about the transformation the institution has wrought in their lives. This is education with a difference and with a purpose, building youngsters of character and genuine affective skills that will no doubt aid the development of effective citizenship and social responsibility.
Garvey was a former Councilor of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation; and, being a Local Authority built on excellent traditions of service and efficiency, presented in 2012 the “Keys to the City of Kingston” to Jamaica’s first National Hero and proclaimed the 17th day of August each year to be observed as Marcus Garvey Day in celebration of his life and work.
The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) honours the life and work of His Excellency, the Right Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a former member of the KSAC who was committed to the cause of improving the human and social conditions for Jamaicans, and salutes him today. His spirit lives on through his sons and his many ardent supporters. His work and legacy shall continue to echo through the ages; may his soul continues to rest in eternal peace.