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BAHAMAS: Majority Rule Day Address by PM Hubert Minnis

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8 years ago

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#Bahamas, January 10, 2018 – Nassau -Fellow Bahamians:

Half a century ago, when Bahamians voted into office the country’s first Majority Rule government, it marked a defining moment in our nation’s history.   Today we celebrate 51 years of Majority Rule.  We remember the core objectives of this movement: freedom, equality and democracy for all Bahamians.

Majority Rule Day commemorates the long struggle, and the day when the will of the majority of Bahamians was freely expressed in a general election.   This defining moment and historic accomplishment does not belong to any one political party or segment of our people.  It crosses all boundaries of party, economic class, race and gender.

Majority Rule belongs to all Bahamians!  We should celebrate this day as One Bahamas, as one people united in love and service to our Commonwealth.

The march to Majority Rule was a long, hard struggle.  Our House of Assembly is one of the oldest continuous parliaments in the world, having been established in 1729.   But while it is today the proud center-piece of our government, its creation did not make the then Colony of the Bahama Islands a full, functioning parliamentary democracy.   Slavery was still an institution in the colony, as indeed it was in other British territories.

While slavery was abolished in 1834 and men of color held a small number of seats in the House of Assembly since the 19th century, the majority of Bahamians still suffered from political, social and economic discrimination.   Political activism in The Bahamas can be traced back to the 1800s, when the Committee of the Free Colored petitioned the government of the day for the incremental attainment of civil rights.   Between 1942 and 1967, a series of significant events forever transformed the political and social landscape of the country.  The Burma Road Riot in 1942 was the beginning of a new political awareness in The Bahamas.

In 1953, the Progressive Liberal Party was formed as the first national political party, with William “Bill” Cartwright playing a central role in the development of party politics.   Sir Etienne Dupuch’s anti-discrimination resolution in the House of Assembly in 1956, was the catalyst for dismantling racial segregation in public places.

The General Strike of 1958, resulted in much-needed changes to the country’s labor laws and electoral representation. Four new parliamentary seats were provided for New Providence.   With this new political awareness and activism came a strong resolve to give a voice to every Bahamian, not just a privileged few.

It was not until January 10, 1967, that the House of Assembly represented for the Bahamian people what has been described as the fullness of democracy.   The intervening years witnessed many evolutionary changes, even revolutionary changes, before it became the legitimate expression of the will of all the Bahamian people.

In the middle of the 20th century the House was firmly under the control of an entrenched oligarchy, who maintained their stranglehold through unjust electoral laws and the brutal exercise of economic power.   It was then that a new generation of political leaders rose up to challenge the Old Guard and to bring pressure on the colonial power for change.

In the 1960s some of the worst aspects of the corrupt electoral system were changed and universal adult suffrage came to the Bahamas, with women voting for the first time in 1962.  So it was that in 1967 the Bahamian people finally voted out the oligarchy and opened a new era of democratic government.   We call that day Majority Rule Day.  It is a day that should be celebrated by all Bahamians because, among other things, revolutionary but peaceful change had come to the Bahamas.    A system that had to end one way or another, ended in a peaceful and orderly manner, and of that all Bahamians should be proud.

But Majority Rule did more than just bring an end to a patently unfair electoral system that prevented the majority of Bahamians from achieving true representation in the House of Assembly.

In the words of former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, one of those who served in the forefront of the movement for equality and social justice:

“Majority Rule removed the last psychological shackles from the minds of many.  It shattered false notions of superiority and inferiority; it initiated the fulfillment of the promise of universal access to education; it created the foundation upon which to build a society with opportunity for all.”

Fellow Bahamians:

As we honor this special day in our history we must also honor the many men and women who sacrificed and struggled to make this day possible.  Through their words they spoke for those who could not speak for themselves.   Through their actions they gave courage to the fearful.   Through their legacy these patriots serve as an inspiration for the nation, including for our children and young people.

Because such history is essential to who we are as a people, we must place greater emphasis on teaching history and civics in our schools.  We must also honor the Bahamian spirit and those who contribute to the common good.

Majority Rule Day honors the Bahamian spirit.  It serves as an important example of what Bahamians can achieve as a people committed to equality, freedom and democracy.  Let us celebrate this Day as One People, with a historic past and a shared future.

Thank you, and may God bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

 

Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis 

Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

Published

4 weeks ago

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December 18, 2025

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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4 weeks ago

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December 18, 2025

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

Published

4 weeks ago

on

December 18, 2025

By

Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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