KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican Government is to recognise the late singer, actor and activist, Harry Belafonte, by naming a section of the North Coast Highway in his honour.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement on Tuesday as the House of Representatives paid tribute to Belafonte who died at his home in Manhattan, New York on Tuesday at age 96. He had been ailing for some time.

“The Government of Jamaica considered how we should recognise this icon and we concluded that we would name a highway in his honour,” said Holness.

“We approved the naming of a section of the North Coast Highway from Priory to Salem in St Ann in honour of Harry Belafonte…that segment will be renamed the Harry Belafonte Highway,” Holness added.

The prime minister explained that the decision was taken by Cabinet prior to Belafonte’s death. He explained further that this section of the highway was chosen because it passes through St Ann in proximity to the place where Belafonte spent some of his boyhood years. He and his younger brother were brought to Jamaica from New York in 1936. They rejoined their mother in 1940. Their mother Melvine, was born in the tiny rural district of Aboukir, St Ann.

Holness told the House that the naming of the highway in Belafonte’s honour will be put on hold until a final decision on the upgrading of the highway, which could result in a realignment of the road, is taken.

And the prime minister also announced that a state-of-the-art performing arts centre is to be constructed in St James and named in honour of Belafonte. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett confirmed that the lands have already been secured for the building.

Belafonte was born to Jamaican immigrants, grew up in poverty in depression-era Harlem and became a major black crossover success in popular music.

He went on to smash a series of barriers during five decades as a movie, TV and stage star. His artistic and humanitarian work frequently overlapped, reflecting his belief that “the role of art isn’t just to show life as it is but to show life as it should be”.

Belafonte used his entertainment fortune to help bankroll the civil rights movement at home and human rights causes worldwide.

Also paying tribute to Belafonte on Tuesday were Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Leader of Government Business in the House, Edmund Bartlett and the Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange.