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Even as President, Desmond Hoyte chose a modest middle income lifestyle
Sep 23, 2012 Letters
Dear Editor,
A very interesting view from a letter-writer about Indians and how many of them now see the late Desmond Hoyte. In 1987, an Indian work colleague (in London) told me that “people like him – they could now get potatoes and dhal”. In 1990, in Guyana, relatives told me the same thing.
I felt strongly that, to quote the letter-writer, “ Hoyte was no different from Cheddi Jagan in terms of decency, integrity, character and incorruptibility”. I think it was a grave mistake when he decided to ‘tie bundle’ politically with the leaders of the party in opposition. He was not in their league.
The party’s top brass were bound by the old school tie, products of Guyana’s top boys’ school, QC, (as was Dr. Jagan), they had always moved in the same social circle and, though respected for his brilliant mind and knowledge of the law, he could never be of a piece with them, perhaps even feel uncomfortable at times. Perhaps it was reciprocal.
Desmond Hoyte grew up the hard way and, but for his winning a two-year-free scholarship to a high school, might never have been able to get a secondary education. And I always got the impression that he was not particularly sensitive about his humble beginnings.
At primary school, his eyesight was very bad and he wore “Europe” spectacles, so called because they were sold from a tray in the Stabroek Market by a man of that name. His eyesight was so poor that even in the school-leaving class he had to get close to the blackboard, to copy work onto a slate, then re-copy it in his exercise book. However, he was always very neatly dressed.
Having experienced poverty from childhood, he was able to empathise completely with the plight of the poor, and he set out to help that section of the community as much as he could. I am convinced of this.
Even as President, he remained unassuming and chose a modest middle income group lifestyle. He was fortunate to have a wife who complemented his personality and preferences.
In present-day Guyana we have a case of never missing the water until the well runs dry, as the country seems to be like a horse out of control, going downhill.
Geralda Dennison
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