Baba Eusi Kwayana Celebrates 100th Birthday: A Milestone of a Legendary Life

Apr 06, 2025 Features / Columnists, News, Waterfalls Magazine

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By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News- Guyana’s renowned historian, educator, political activist, and cultural icon, Baba Eusi Kwayana, formerly known as Sydney King, marked a remarkable milestone on Saturday—his 100th birthday. The celebratory event took place in his hometown village of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday a place that has witnessed much of his journey as a trailblazer in Guyana’s history.

Kwayana was born in Lusignan, but his family relocated to Buxton when he was just seven years old. At the tender age of 15, he became a primary school teacher. His career in education continued to thrive, and in 1956, he founded and became the principal of County High School, later renamed Republic Cooperative High School, in Buxton.

A Life Shaped by Political Activism

Kwayana’s political activism began in the 1940s, when he was still known as Sydney. By 1947, he had solidified his political stance, becoming an active supporter of Cheddi Jagan’s bid for a seat in the Legislative Council. He eventually joined the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the precursor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and quickly ascended the ranks. As a Member of Parliament, he was appointed Minister of Works in 1953. However, his tenure was cut short when the British government suspended the constitution in 1954, leading to his detention alongside other PPP members for nearly three months.

It was during this period that Kwayana made the infamous declaration to the then governor: “This confounded nonsense must stop.” These words became part of popular folklore in Guyana. Later, in 1955, when the PPP split along ethnic lines, Kwayana remained with the Cheddi Jagan faction. However, he soon departed over disagreements concerning the party’s stance on the West Indies Federation. After a brief and unsuccessful run as an independent candidate, Kwayana joined the People’s National Congress (PNC) in 1957 and went on to become General Secretary, later expelling himself from the party in 1961 due to disagreements over ethnic issues.

A Champion for Ethnic Equality and Cultural Pride

In 1961, Kwayana co-founded the African Society for Racial Equality (ASRE), an organization aimed at promoting cultural awareness and advocating for ethnic equality in Guyana. Despite the country’s growing ethnic tensions, Kwayana proposed a power-sharing arrangement between the leaders of the two ethnic parties. Although his proposal was rejected, he continued his activism. In 1964, he co-founded the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), a movement dedicated to promoting African pride and cultural identity among African Guyanese. It was during this period that Kwayana adopted the name Eusi Kwayana, which means “Black Man of Guyana” in Swahili.

While he never returned to the PNC, Kwayana supported the party’s rise to power in 1964 and held several influential positions, including head of the National Land Settlement Committee and chairman of the Guyana Marketing Corporation. He was also instrumental in shaping Guyana’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to Africa.

As the political landscape in Guyana evolved, Kwayana continued to influence the nation’s discourse. In the 1970s, after breaking with the PNC over government corruption, Kwayana became an outspoken critic of the regime and aligned himself with radical anti-government groups like the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), where he also ran for president in 1985. His activism during this period mentored a new generation of political leaders, many of whom continue to serve Guyana today.

In addition to his political work, Kwayana has made significant contributions to Guyana’s cultural life. He is a celebrated playwright, and his play The Promised Land won the “Best Play” prize in the Youth Category at the British Guiana Drama Festival of 1965. His extensive writings have covered everything from race and ethnicity to governance and cultural freedom, offering insight into the evolving social and political fabric of Guyana.

Personal Life and Legacy

In 1971, Kwayana married Tchaiko Kwayana, formerly Ann Cook, a pan-Africanist and civil rights activist from Georgia, USA. Their marriage was grounded in shared ideals and a mutual commitment to organizational development.

After retiring from parliament in 2002, Kwayana moved to California. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where he continues to inspire others through his writings and enduring legacy of political activism.

Kwayana has four children, one of whom, Kwame Manu, is deceased: Kofi, Kwame Alaf, Iyabo, and Kwame Manu (deceased). He also has four granddaughters—Afriye, Ama, Yaa, and Ina—and one great-grandson, Asa.

Reflections

In an exclusive interview with The Waterfalls, Kwayana expressed his thoughts on reaching this significant age. “This milestone, as you call it, is really scary,” he shared. “I cannot pretend it is not. I had no idea I would see such a day. It really scares you to be 100. I hope it can go by uneventfully as we live through it. I’m looking forward to reuniting with a lot of acquaintances, especially younger people. Many of my contemporaries are gone, and I’m left with younger generations who are very generous and helpful. I’m forever grateful for them.”

When reflecting on the monumental changes in Guyana’s history, Kwayana emphasized that while big events and international recognition are important, the real progress he cares about is the shift in human objectives, particularly around freedom, equality, and the quality of life. “The changes I am most concerned about are the ones that lead towards greater freedom, satisfaction of material needs, and environmental safety,” he said. “Changes in how we treat each other, how we handle our resources, and how accountable our governments are—those are the changes I find most impressive.”

Champion for social change

When asked about his secret to long live and longevity, Kwayana responded, “One of my chief interests in life is health, good health. As a child I suffered many illnesses, and from the age of 21 in 1946, I was able to make a change, rather profound change in my what is now called a lifestyle. Unfortunately, these are not things I brush about. I speak to them, speak about them to people who are really interested because the knowledge I rely on is not exclusive to any person or group.”

Despite his age, Kwayana remains passionate about a variety of causes. “There are many projects I feel passionate about. They all have to do with human development, freedom of expression, and improving the quality of life,” he said. “I stand with those who are being repressed. Freedom of expression is not just a slogan; it is the nutrient of the human being. When it is withheld, there is an attempt to starve those deprived of it.”

Looking to the future, Kwayana expressed hope for the next generation. “If I can give any advice to young people striving for social change, I would say: Discuss with others what you want to do. Don’t try to bully others into your opinion. Listen, come to a common agreement, and work towards agreed goals. That’s how movements grow.”

Kwayana’s centenary is not only a celebration of a long life but also a reflection of a legacy that has shaped the history and culture of Guyana. His work continues to inspire future generations of activists, educators, and thinkers who will carry forward his commitment to freedom, equality, and social justice.

WPA remarks

The Working People Alliance (WPA) showed appreciation for Kwayana at reaching his milestone. The party expressed gratitude for the good works Kwayana has done for the party.

“The Sage of Buxton, as he is fondly known, is a living testimony to the promise of a humane Guyana. He is one of the finest products of our country—a selfless crusader for justice and dignity in every aspect of our collective national journey. His eight decades of political and social activism have allowed him to experience and influence the twists and turns of our socio-political, economic and cultural decolonization and post-colonization,” the WPA stated.

They emphasized that Kwayana  is a persistent example that human beings are by nature moral beings destined to live in a state of freedom.

“Our party owes a lot to Kwayana’s activism, wisdom and leadership. But he transcends parties or a party. He is Guyana’s unique gift to itself and the world. WPA views his longevity as a special blessing from God and the ancestors. We thank him for his contributions. We thank his family for sharing him with us. We look forward to his continued guidance and blessings. We love you, Bro Eusi,” WPA said.

(Baba Eusi Kwayana Celebrates 100th Birthday: A Milestone of a Legendary Life)

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