KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, highlighted the progress made by people of African ancestry and praised descendants for continuing to overcome hardships.

Swaby was speaking at the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) Africa Day at St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston on Saturday.

“As we commemorate this great achievement that we have made as a nation, the KSAMC is pleased to join with our fellow African brothers and sisters to celebrate the progress we have made despite the harsh struggles. I am proud to say despite our challenges, we have never been defeated. We have survived slavery, the Apartheid system, and even attempts of mass genocide, yet our spirits have not been broken,” the Mayor said in his speech. “We continue to celebrate our strength and resilience by refusing to settle for less than what we deserve. We don’t just survive, we excel and dominate. We are a force to be reckoned with.”

Mayor Swaby went on to share that the KSAMC has celebrated Africa Day since 2012 and officially made it a part of the country’s calendar of events in 2014. He expressed that with the strides made by persons of African descent, marking their historic contributions with a day of celebration was a no-brainer.

“We can all agree that Africans and African descendants are among the most talented and skilled persons to ever walk this earth. Think track and field, football, cricket—you name it, we are good at it,” he shared. “Our rich cultural heritage is demonstrated through our music, dance, attire, and food. Our artistes and artisans have captivated the world with their talent and skill, which have been passed down from generation to generation.”

The mayor also used the opportunity to say thanks to the South African High Commission, the Nigerian High Commission, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, and the Social Development Commission, who partnered with the KSAMC to celebrate Africa Day 2024.