Kingston, Jamaica: The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) an Agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will organize a Floral Tribute in commemoration of the 107th anniversary of the birth of the Most Honorable Sir Donald Sangster, ON, KCVO, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, at the National Heroes Park in Kingston on Friday, October 26.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. this floral tribute will be the first of its kind in Sangster’s honour.
Tributes will be laid by the Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, MP, Minister of National Security and General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, representing The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP, Prime Minister; Senator Damion Crawford, Opposition Spokesperson on Youth & Culture, representing Dr. Peter Phillips, MP, Leader of the Opposition; the Honourable Pearnel Charles, CD, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon; Mr. Bindley Sangster, Son of the late Sir Donald and Ms. Jannett Foster, Chairperson, Summerfield Community Development Association.
Sir Donald Sangster was Jamaica’s second Prime Minister as well as the shortest serving Prime Minister to date. He succeeded the Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante in February 1967, and served until April of that year when he succumbed to sudden illness.
Donald Sangster was born in the parish of St. Elizabeth on October 26, 1911 and was deeply involved in Jamaican politics since the age of 21, when he was elected to the Council of the Parish of St. Elizabeth. Throughout his political career he served in numerous national capacities, such as Acting Prime Minister of Jamaica (February 1964 – February 1967), Leader of the House of Representatives, Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Finance, Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Defense and Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party.