New Amsterdam Town Council honours the late Hon. W. O. R . Kendall

Nov 06, 2019 News

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Mr. Carl Greenidge, Foreign Secretary, formally declared open the Hon. W.O.R. Kendall Street in the Town of New Amsterdam, on Wednesday October 30, last. Mr. Greenidge, a former resident of the Town, highlighted the distinguished career of the late political icon, William Oscar Rudyard Kendall, and his outstanding service in politics and public life to Guyana, during 1940 to1983.
At a statutory meeting of the New Amsterdam Town Council on January 28, 2019, a decision was made to rename Pope Street, the W.O.R. Kendall Street, to honour the veteran politician for his exceptional public service to New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Guyana.
The honour was conferred on him 36 years after his death. He was born on August 12, 1909, and died on September 18, 1983.
Pope Street, New Amsterdam, was the inspirational base for W.O.R. Kendall’s political career. He lived in Pope Street, with his wife Anetha, and eight children, for several decades. He was also called “WORK” and “Rudy”.
Due to his successive electoral victories in New Amsterdam, his supporters fondly called him ‘AWEE BOY’. During the 1940s to the 1960s, he was the most popular politician in New Amsterdam. He was elected a Town Councillor in 1943, and Mayor of the Town in 1960.
Family members from overseas who attended the street naming ceremony were his children Dr. Mark Kendall, Mr. William Kendall, Retired Judge Leon Kendall and his wife Mrs. Valerie Kendall, Mrs. Cheryl Kendall-McBain, Ms. Izetta Kendall, and relative, Mr. Stanley Gopaul.
The programme for the event was chaired by Barbara Pilgrim-Roberts, M.P.
Executive member of COFONA, Marcia Williams, welcomed attendees. Olga Stephens, Town Councillor, represented Mayor Winifred Heywood. She outlined the background to W.O.R. Kendall Street.
Izette Kendall reflected on the life and work of her father, Rudy Kendall. Retired Judge Leon Kendall gave the Vote of Thanks.
Popular calypsonian, ‘Sweet Kendingo, also Rudy Kendall, rendered a calypso to honour his late uncle “WORK”.
The COFONA Band played musical renditions. The street sign for the Hon. W.O. R. Kendall Street was unveiled by Mr. Carl Greenidge and members of the Kendall family.
Rudyard Kendall served with distinction in public life. In 1947, he was elected a Member of the National Assembly/Parliament and represented the New Amsterdam constituency. He served in the National Assembly for two decades.
He was first elected as an independent candidate in 1947 and was later elected to the National Assembly as a candidate for the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 1953, the United Democratic Party (UDP) in 1957, and the People’s National Congress in 1961 and 1964.
He served as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from 1961 -1964. He was a seasoned politician, and was accessible to citizens of the New Amsterdam constituency and the country.
W.O.R. Kendall, eminent politician, was a member of the important Interim Legislative Council, which supervised the affairs of British Guiana, after the country’s constitution was suspended in 1953. He was responsible for Communications and Works with portfolio from 1954-1957.
He also held Government Office as the Minister of Trade and Industry, and the Minister of Health and Housing in the People’s National Congress/United Force Coalition Government, from 1964 -1968. He served as Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname from 1969-1975.
Prior to entering politics, he was a professional tanner. From 1975 -1983, he was a consultant to the Guyana Government; and provided expertise for the development of the country’s leather industry.
Rudyard Kendall was an influential Parliamentarian and Government official who made representation for development programmes, which improved the quality of life for citizens.
In the Town of New Amsterdam, he promoted the development of the Public Free Library services, the sponsorship of the New Amsterdam Musicians (NAMS) Choir, music festivals, cultural and sports activities. He secured increased financial grants for the Berbice High School, and advocated for upgraded water facilities, and modern telephone services for the Town.
At the national level, he increased home ownership through government-sponsored programmes, self- help and cooperative housing groups. The Cargo vessel, Canje Pheasant, was commissioned. He was also involved in the advocacy and planning stages for developmental projects, such as the National Insurance Scheme, the New Amsterdam-Crabwood Creek Highway, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, and the New Canje Bridge. These projects were implemented during 1969 -1978.
W.O.R. Kendall was actively involved in civic life. In 1960, he was a member of the Delegation (that included the late L.F.S. Burnham) which visited the United Kingdom, and participated in the first meeting convened by the British Government to discuss a change to the Constitution of British Guiana.
He was a leading member of the influential League of Coloured Peoples (LCP), and a lifelong member and Deacon of the Mission Chapel Congregational Church.
He received Awards for his public service: the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for citizens of the Commonwealth, from Queen Elizabeth II and the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (CCH) from Guyana.
The project to rename the Street was spearheaded by Urmia Johnson, politician, women’s rights activist, and former Minister of Government. She was a resident of New Amsterdam, and worked in political campaigns under the guidance of the late Rudyard Kendall.

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