Dear Editor,

In celebration today of the 90th birthday of our beloved Harry Belafonte, world citizen and social activist extraordinaire, I was asked by Karl and Faye Rodney, principals of New York-based Carib News, to pen a brief tribute to my friend for inclusion in a special edition of the newspaper. I’d be pleased if you could share it with your readers:

Sandals Resorts International joins the rest of the world in saluting the illustrious Harry Belafonte, singer, actor, activist, friend of the late Martin Luther King Jr, UNICEF goodwill ambassador and anti-apartheid advocate, on this, his 90th earth day.

I salute a big-hearted man whose storied career, highlighted by the six-decade-old anthem (Banana Boat Song), Day O — that he told The New York Times “is about my father, my mother, my uncles, the men and women who toil in the banana and cane fields” — continues to inspire generations.

From janitor to global superstar, Belafonte has never forgotten his roots, which can be traced to the parish of St Ann, Jamaica. Indeed, he has used his celebrity to promote and encourage the cause of oppressed people everywhere.

I have very fond memories of this gentle giant of a man, a nationalist who loves Jamaica fiercely and was of invaluable help during the Air Jamaica years when we worked together to build our country. He, along with Faye and Karl Rodney, led many a delegation of entrepreneurs to our beloved island. Happy birthday, Harry Belafonte.

All our days we, too, will lift our voices to sing in praise of your forests, waters and shining sand.

Gordon “Butch” Stewart, OJ

Chairman/Founder

Sandals Resorts International