IT was impossible to find parking at anywhere near the Anglican church opposite the Georgetown Magistrate court on Avenue of the Republic where Tom Dalgety’s funeral service was being held last Monday. I drove around and around and decided to take a chance at the junction of Hadfield Street and Avenue of the Republic directly opposite where the GECOM Command Centre was in 2020.
A young African lad, up and said: “Mr. Kissoon duh gun clamp yuh kyaar.” His friend intervened: “Lef de maan alone, yuh know who is duh? Duh man big, deh kyaan clamp he car.” I said: “Wuh big about me? I ain’t big so I moving.” Those two young men provided parking for me and ensured I was not at the corner.” I was generous, of course.
David Hinds should have been there. He thinks that once you are a government supporter, African Guyanese will shun you. Hinds should spend a day with me in Georgetown. He will get a stroke. On the steps of the church, two African men were very friendly, with one knowing my family history. I asked how he knew so much about the Kissoons. He said he grew up in Wortmanville. I extended a lunch invitation but didn’t leave my cell. If he reads this, it is 614-5927.
Here are more moments to share. I sat next to one of the most talkative humans I have ever met. I cannot name him because Georgetowners will know him. I have a high appreciation for him, but I’m afraid of him because he doesn’t allow me to go on my way. A few months back, I encountered an old friend of mine from my teaching days at UG, O’ Neil Greaves at the MovieTowne car park, O’Neil is the current head of the Department of Government at UG.
My talkative friend came up and would not allow me to speak to O’Neil. I said: “Man stop harassing me.” Then O’Neil, in typical West Indian style, said, “But Freddie, you is harrass people tuh” So I sat next to my talkative friend at Tom’s funeral and there were moments I would like to share with my readers. The first thing he said: “Eh, eh, Freddie, I ain’t see no other Indian person in this church.” I pointed to two Indian QC girls, but he exclaimed” Dey ain’t here for de funeral; they come for sing.” They recited a poem.
Next, he showed me a text on his phone that described Terrence Campbell as resigning from the PNC. I told him to be careful; it could be fake news. He indicated that his friend is a serious man who wouldn’t send him fake news. At the time of writing, I don’t know if Campbell has resigned.
Bonita Bone left the service before it was finished, and she passed by where we were sitting. This was when his garrulity became interesting. He said: “Freddie look, Bonita, ya’ll is talk, wuh become of her?” My response was simple. “No, we don’t talk because I don’t think she will speak to me, and I haven’t spoken to her in decades.”
Here are some final moments at the service. As the attendees were leaving, I said hello to Tacuma Ogunseye, but his response was almost invisible and inaudible. I got the sense that he did not want to respond to my greeting and I think it has to do with my column on him last week in which I referred to him as a political person who belongs to yesteryear.
I greeted Vincent Alexander as we both were on the steps of the church, stepping down to leave. Vincent was very friendly with me. We had a slight bit of banter. With a broad smile on my face, I told him I had a text message for him from Azruddin Mohamed, who wants his GECOM commissioner seat. I reminded him that the birthday of our mutual friend, Dr. Mark Kirton, is coming up and we are both invitees. He said he couldn’t make it because he was leaving Tuesday night (yesterday).
I told him Mark’s birthday is way in the middle of September, so he is going for a long time. With his usual broad smile, he said he has family engagements so he is leaving political space for me and Azruddin Mohamed. I left Tom’s funeral service with a huge question hanging over me. Tom was a devoted and devout Rastafari practitioner, but there were no items on the programme from the Rastafari community. Strange, isn’t it? But then again, Guyanese are a strange lot.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.