The island was buzzing a few days ago with the news that the host of a regular Monday Night Talk Show would be releasing a bomb that would have an impact on Anguilla never to have been felt since the Anguilla Revolution. There was much speculation about what this bomb would be. Quite naturally many speculated that it was a hype to get viewers to listen in to the formal announcement of his proposed candidacy in the next general election; others felt that it would be some political strike on the Opposition; still others were of the view that it could have something to do with the fourth anniversary of the Government’s ascendance to office; and so on. As would be expected, a number of Anguillians were tuned to the station awaiting this breaking news – and I suspect that many of them were disappointed when they heard that it had to do with the return of Rev. John David Mantengo, a Kenyan Minister of “unclear persuasion” who came to Anguilla approximately eleven months ago.
At that time the announcement for the event in The Anguillian newspaper read in part as follows: “The Honourable Chief Minister and Minister of Finance is very concerned with the level of crime and violence on the island. He believes that there needs to be a spiritual intervention so that the island can progress amidst everything that is happening including the economic woes of the country. Therefore in an effort to address the situation from a spiritual standpoint, the Chief Minister has invited Rev. John David Mantengo from Kenya to have a prayer session for the people of Anguilla.” What happened at that prayer vigil has been the cause of much comment in the public and private media and was taken up by well known, home-grown calypso satirist, “Eye-Spy” in a very amusing piece entitled: “Shango Man”.
I was not privileged to attend the event, at Coronation Park, which was dubbed a “prayer vigil” but it was reported to have been scantily attended and somewhat amusing. Apparently it seemed to be more about the Chief Minister and his colleagues than about crime and violence and the general situation of the island. And on that occasion the Chief Minister was anointed with special oils and presented with a staff and a bracelet, to ensure his continuation in office. According to one onlooker, relating what he witnessed: “ Boy dem anointed the Chief Minister wid oil, and give him a hook stick to beat down his enemies and hook back he supporters!”
A number of persons, including pastors and ministers of religion spoke rather disparagingly about the event. The pastors and ministers were, to say the least, unhappy with the nature of the ceremony and especially upset that neither the Chief Minister nor his colleagues had bothered to invite them or involve them in such a national initiative. They also used terms like “insulting”; a slap in the face; disrespectful; and so on, to describe what they felt as a result of that treatment. Yet none of them seemed to approve of what was actually done on Coronation Park on Thursday, March 14, 2013.
In my article, entitled “Against Spiritual wickedness in high and low places”, I said that “while I do not intend to cast judgment on the purpose or content of the service itself, which went on until after midnight, there are a number of questions which have been raised by several persons in the community as follows: a) What was the basis on which this particular Minister was selected? b) What denomination or religion does he represent? c) Who financed his visit to Anguilla? d) Why were the Elected Opposition not invited to be involved in the service? e) When will the Chief Minister use his “hook stick”?”
Imagine my surprise when I received a call last evening telling me that the big bomb was, and I quote verbatim: “about the Return of the Shango Man”. Let me make it extremely clear – far be it from me to judge or ridicule anyone professing to be one of the “Lord’s Anointed”. The biblical teachings tell us that many prophets including “Jesus the Christ” were so treated. But that does not prevent me from asking questions, based on what occurred at Coronation Park, as well as commenting on the issues that have been raised to me by persons much more versed in God’s word than I.
I still did not tune in to the Talk Show, despite the urgings of some rather persistent supporters, but I am told that Rev. Mantengo, himself, was the guest of the evening and took questions from the listeners. Based on reports, some of the questions were very amusing indeed to the extent that one caller even asked a very personal question about her marriage. “Eye-Spy” also called in and it is reported that there was an interesting exchange between him and the “goodly” Reverend. But that may be material for another sequel most likely entitled: “Eye-Spy meets the Shango Man”.
It is interesting that Rev. Mantengo would be returning on the fourth anniversary of the Government’s tenure of Office. There is much speculation that it is the CM’s and his supporters usual way of diverting attention away from the real issues at critical times, and their style of using the cloak of religion, when it suits them, to cover up their incompetent handling of the island’s affairs. But there does not seem to be any clear connection between Reverend Mantego’s return and the Government at this time. And it is my understanding that he was brought here to do a series of evangelic services on behalf of one of the pastors sympathetic to the Chief Minister. In arranging his return, however, it remains apparent that the majority of the Christian and Evangelical community are not a part of these events – so I am led to question the authenticity of the stated objective of the mission. I am told that Rev. Mantengo claims to have been sent here by God to bring an end to the scourge of violence that is attending our communities and, if that is so, our prayers are certainly with him.
But we, then, would have to further question ourselves as to the efforts by our own Christian and Evangelical community, and the many initiatives in which they have participated for the furtherance of the same cause. Have they in anyway fallen short of the “Glory of God” and now require the intervention of a messenger from Kenya to assist them in this mission? For those of us who remain hopeful that the cycle of violence will come to an end — we will not stand in the way of such a miracle. However, many of us cannot forget the symbols that were used during Rev. Mantengo’s last appearance at Coronation Park and the words that were spoken. Should we harden our hearts against this message? I believe in what I was taught in Sunday School and through my journey in Christian teachings, namely, that these are questions we should take to the Lord in prayer.
But so as not to lose the impact of this week on the AUM Government’s ascendancy to Office, let me bring you back to the importance of this milestone. We are now entering the last year of a five-year term of office and there is no evidence that the Government has changed its game plan. There are so many issues that have not advanced beyond a state of confusion since February 15, 2010. Yet, at this late stage, we are hearing statements about things happening that should recommend them for a further five-year term. Let me point out a few of the realities for your consideration and contemplation in question form: –
• Are you better off today than you were four years ago?
• How can we boast that we have a Government when all they can put together, after four years, is the Chief Minister and two inexperienced Ministers?
• Have you seen any positive response to the issues raised about electricity other than an unclear presentation by the Minister about burning the garbage at the landfill site?
• How can we move forward with our main industry when, after four years, the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism are at loggerheads about critical issues for the development of the industry?
• Who is running the Tourist Board? The Chairman; the Britto Agency; the Parliamentary Secretary or the Chief Minister?
• What is really happening at ANGLEC? Who is in charge?
• What is happening with the indigenous banks? Will the CM and Minister of Finance actually take a leadership role and explain where we are going with this?
• What is really happening at Social Security? What is the role of the Director? Who is running the affairs of the Board? The Members collectively or the Chairman?
• When will the Cap Juluca fiasco be resolved?
• Will the public servants ever receive anything tangible on the monies owed to them?
• What is happening with the Port Authority? Will the Government ever take responsibility for matters there? Or will they continue to blame everyone else?
• When will the Interim Stabilization Levy be properly and equitably dealt with?
• When will the matter of the wharf in St Maarten be adequately addressed?
• When will the new Labour Code be brought before the House of Assembly?
• Is there any real intention to establish a minimum wage after four years?
• When will the Government seriously address the issue about jobs?
• What is happening to ease the stress off the community particularly the many persons who are losing their homes; their lands; their transportation; their health; and their lives because of the economic situation? Where is the plan that the CM boasted about in the last campaign?
• When will the blame game end and the Government take charge after four years of the same old story?
• Are you satisfied that you have a Government that adequately represents your interest?
I could go on. But it could become a boring and depressing exercise. Yet just spare me one final question: “Is this really the best kind of Government that the people of Anguilla can elect?” For those persons who have sunk to such a low level of despair and self-esteem, that they would believe that we cannot do better than this, I have but one sad response: “O Ye of little faith!”
