BRUCE Golding was destined to become the Prime Minister of Jamaica, several close family members said yesterday after he was sworn-in at King’s House in Kingston as the country’s eighth head of government.

In the words of Golding’s son, Stephen, his father’s ascension to office was a fulfilment of the words uttered by grandfather Tacius Golding years ago.

“To be honest with you, I will always remember my grandfather Tacius saying ‘Bruce is going to be Prime Minister of Jamaica one day. And it has always been in the back of all our minds. I don’t know if grandpa was programming us or him with this subliminal message, but we are all proud of him,” the prime minister’s son told the Observer yesterday.

He said while Golding’s political “journey has been long” – spanning over four decades, during which time he also served as leader of the opposition – it had been destined to play out at some point.

“It’s a dream come through,” Stephen Golding said, adding that “the work begins now and we look forward to him doing great things for Jamaica and we wish him the best.”

Shereen Golding, the prime minister’s eldest daughter, was teary eyed when the Observer spoke to her. For her as well, it was destiny being fulfilled.

“It’s been a long road, but the destiny isn’t over until Jamaica is where he wants it to be,” she said. “He has a wonderful vision for this country and I hope that we can all gather around him and support him as a nation family and do what we need to do to move this country to the heights it can go. And I know it can get there. He said so, so many times.”

She added that although the swearing-in of her dad as prime minister was anticipated, the moment was “overwhelming” when it arrived.

“I’m a little emotional because there is so much family here supporting him, but it’s a wonderful, awesome experience and such an awesome task ahead. I’m overwhelmed,” she said.

Her sister, Annmerita, the “baby” of the family, was “extremely proud” of her father.

“I have waited for this day a long time,” she told the Observer. “I knew it was coming. I think the best part of this entire thing for me was watching my father’s destiny unfold. It’s a very emotional moment for me.”

Annmerita also expressed her unshakeable confidence in the man she said was more than just a father.

“My father is not just my father, he’s one of my best friends and I’m so happy right now, I am his biggest fan. I wish him happiness and strength and good health. I know he is a man of his word and of honour and dignity and I know he will stay true to everything he said tonight,” she said.

Douglas Anthony Golding, the prime minister’s younger brother, could not hide his glee. He, too, said Golding’s appointment was no surprise.

“I’m absolutely thrilled; this is something Bruce has prepared himself for since childhood, so it is something I have always known in my heart that he would achieve and I’m very proud to be here to witness the installation,” he said.

Like Stephen, Douglas credited Tacius Golding, who spent 22 years in representative politics and also served as the first speaker of the House in independent Jamaica, for the “passion for country instilled in Bruce”.

“Our father went into politics the year I was born when Bruce was two years old. As children we went with him to political meetings. We all had responsibilities. But Bruce was the more outspoken of us and he certainly took a more active interest in the actual politics,” said Douglas, who himself got a taste of representational politics when he served as MP for South West St Catherine between 1983 and 1989.

Bruce was also the only sibling of the four who took his political career to the limits. But his brother had no quarrel with that.

“One sibling is enough sacrifice for any one family. I have left it to him to carry the flag and he certainly has carried it and he has my absolute confidence,” said Douglas, smiling.

“It has always been my feeling that it was his destiny. I’m absolutely thrilled,” Douglas said, while his wife, Icy Golding, nodded in approval and added “oh yes”.