Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
PNCR commemorates Desmond Hoyte’s death anniversary
Mrs. Joyce Hoyte being assisted as she lays her floral tribute on the occasion of the seventh death anniversary of her late husband
“There is no question in my mind that Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte was a very complex and multi-dimensioned person and personality, yet a very modest and private person. He bore the demeanour of a severe, almost stoic, headmaster, while, at the same time, possessing the skills and attributes, including an amazing memory, of a world class raconteur.
He could regale an audience with a string of seemingly endless jokes. Yes, he had a remarkable sense of humour!”
Those were the sentiments expressed by E. Lance Carberry, the People’s National Congress Reform’s Chief Whip, yesterday, as the party commemorated the death anniversary of the late president and leader of that party, Hoyte, S.C at his place of interment, Seven Ponds – Place of Heroes, Botanical Gardens,
Among the participants at the simple ceremony were Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, Desmond Hoyte’s widow, Patricia Hoyte, his sister, Party Leader Robert Corbin as well as several other Executive Members of the Party. There were representatives of several Guyanese organizations and members of the public.
Dr. Faith Harding, member of the Party’s Central Executive Committee and included prayers by Rev. Geoffrey Thompson, chaired the ceremony.
There were also the welcoming remarks by Dr. Harding and the official statement by Mr Carberry, who recalled, with nostalgia, some of the sterling qualities and achievements of the late Leader and President.
The congregation sang two patriotic songs, “My Native Land” and “O Beautiful Guyana”.
Thereafter, floral tributes were laid by the widow of the late Leader and President, Joyce Hoyte, Patricia Hoyte, one of his surviving sisters, Party Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, M.P. and a cross section of Guyanese organisations representing cultural, religious, business, trades union and political as well as members of the public.
“I must confess that the reason I agreed to be placed on the Party’s List of Candidates, for the 1997 National Elections, was because I respected and admired the political and moral courage which it took to embark on the implementation of a programme, such as the Economic Recovery Programme, that was spearheaded by Hoyte.”
Carberry recalled that at the time, he was not a member of the Party but Hoyte never set that as a condition. “In fact, he reluctantly agreed with my decision to join the Party, but, as I explained to him, I wanted to send a clear message to my key detractors that I am committed to the same cause which this Party represents.”
“Intellectually, he stood out in and above the crowd. He was a deep thinker who was well read and, in many respects, ahead of his time. His intellectual interests were wide and varied. His knowledge of classical literature was enviable.
“One of his lasting legacies to Guyana and the Caribbean is the annual Guyana Prize for Literature which he was instrumental in introducing in 1987,” said Carberry.
Hugh Desmond Hoyte was born March 9, 1929 and died on December 22, 2002 when he collapsed suddenly of a heart attack.
He served as Prime Minister of Guyana from 1984 to 1985 and as President of Guyana from 1985 until 1992 when he lost the general Elections to the late Cheddi Jagan of the People’s Progressive Party.
Hoyte entered Parliament as a member of the People’s National Congress in 1968 and soon began serving in the Cabinet.
He was Home Affairs Minister, Finance Minister, Works and Communications Minister, and Economic Development Minister from 1974 to 1980.
Hoyte is recalled as having concentrated on economic affairs during his political career. Following the December 1980 election he became one of five vice-presidents, with responsibility for Economic Planning, Finance, and Regional Development, becoming a close associate of the then President of Guyana and PNC leader Forbes Burnham.
In August 1984 he was made first Vice-President and Prime Minister and when the Late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham died suddenly on August 6, 1985, Hoyte became President.
Hoyte was also Foreign Minister.
Hoyte was a Life Senator and a member of the Supreme Council of the Presidency of the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, an international organisation based in Italy.
He also was the PNC candidate in the presidential elections of 1996 and 2001.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Fastest growing economy and an empty stadium
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- It’s a classic Guyanese tale, really. You live in the fastest growing economy in the... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
