Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga was a true patron of the arts.

His interest in the artistic and creative covered most areas of the performing and visual arts. This included his love for dance which was always tied to his work in culture and social anthropology. It is, therefore, not surprising that Seaga contributed significantly to the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) in its formative years and remained its founding patron until his passing.

Seaga, 89, died in a Florida hospital on Tuesday where he was receiving treatment for cancer.

In its tribute, the NDTC said he offered expert counsel to the current leadership and continued to support by attending the season of dance each year.

NDTC’s artistic director Marlon Simms describes the former prime minister as a valuable resource.

“As a pillar of society, I believe Mr Seaga, and people like that, of what I call the pre-Independence generation, have such a wealth of knowledge that will help my generation and those to come as we move forward. We had amazing conversations on his vision for Jamaican culture and his thoughts on the NDTC. He was always willing to see me and, in a way, he reminded me of Professor (Rex) Nettleford, in that they were such a valuable resource, such a memory bank,” Simms told the Jamaica Observer.

Nettleford, NDTC’s co-founder, died on February 2, 2010.

For Simms, paramount in Seaga’s thoughts, as it related to the company, was the need to maintain and sustain Jamaican traditions and folklore.

“He was really keen on us preserving the authenticity of our traditional folk forms. He was especially interested in the piece Pocomania, which he always wanted us to remount. He kept stressing the need to authentically showcase the work. Despite the fact that it’s a theatrical performance, he wanted us to be aware of the root, understanding purpose, meaning and intent of the rituals being staged in order to remain true,” said Simms.

Through Seaga’s research work as an anthropologist, he was aware of the transformative power of the arts and put it to work fully in the communities of West Kingston, the constituency for which he served as Member of Parliament for 43 years.

The Tivoli Gardens Dance Troupe, which grew out of the dance group at the Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High School, is also part of Seaga’s legacy.

Jennifer Garwood currently serves as artistic director of the 43-year-old outfit.

“Mr Seaga encouraged us, from the early days with Vincent Douglas, to work with the kids, to motivate and educate them on how they can use their passion for the arts to help them overcome the challenges of growing up in a stigmatised community. Over the years, we have proven ourselves, with Mr Seaga’s help and guidance, to be true cultural ambassadors performing at international and national events and always being present at the festival of the arts every year. He showed us how to transcend political lines just by being good at what we do. He encouraged this. When Portia Simpson Miller was being sworn in he invited us to perform and we had no reservation. Mr Seaga always taught us to be true cultural ambassadors and not box ourselves in,” said Garwood.

“The last time I saw him was at the naming of the highway. The group performed. I shared with him his effect on us in doing things to the fullest. The young people in the community don’t really know him, so it is up to us to share with them what he did for culture and how they can do it too. I salute his vision and it is up to us to use it as a springboard to move forward,” she continued.