This is a tribute of Eusi Kwayana to Andaiye, which captures her connection to the Rodney legacy, and the political and humanist traditions she shared with many others in Guyana and across the world, and her patent originality and uniqueness in the global struggle.
As we were preparing to observe the 39th anniversary of the dastardly killing of Walter Rodney of Guyana, Andaiye, a fighter in the struggle for social justice and full equality between toilers and oppressors and between women and men lost her long battle with cancer. It is fitting for us to dedicate space to memorialising Andaiye, as we mark this anniversary of Walter Rodney’s killing. Below we publish Eusi Kwayana’s tribute.
“6:35 p.m. on 31 May 2019 is a moment that should remind us of a life that will remain vital to the all-round reconstruction of Guyana, the Caribbean, the hemisphere, and Africa. Silently, at that moment, Andaiye tek she bundle an’ go-way. She has left thousands in the spaces in which she worked, torn between a sense of relief at the end of her physical ordeal and the sudden realisation that her active engagement in the up-hill tasks before us is no longer possible. We are also, while celebrating her most remarkable and productive life, sorrowful at the loss of her friendship, her laughter, her love and above all, the sense of mothering that was ingrained in her being. Here I must testify to the mutual love and respect that has prevailed for all time between her, her family, her close associates and our family. Andaiye’s multiple talents in human development have been recited in most of the tributes published. To save time and space, I wish to adopt and recommend, for the good of all concerned, the recommendation of one writer. It is the suggestion that the best honour we can pay to her departed mentor is to make a serious attempt to adopt, as far as we can, her principles and her conduct – her praxis. Her praxis included certain interventions into public affairs in her own name and at her own risk, or in one case in an activity in which she was seen as a central figure.
*The views of the above article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Africa Speaks 4 Africa or its editorial team.