After almost a month, following his sad departure from this life, Anguilla’s respected, outspoken, and popular radio personality, Iwandi Gumbs, was celebrated at a Thanksgiving Service on Thursday, November 3. He died on Friday, October 7, sending shockwaves across the island.
The lengthy farewell service, comprising mainly tributes, was held at the pavilion area at the Ronald Webster Park where several hundred persons, of all walks of life, were in attendance. The event began at around 12 noon and continued for the next five hours or thereabout, running into inclement weather conditions and near twilight.
Iwandai’s remains were laid in a casket in the pavilion. The casket was covered with colourful drapes including the Rastafarian flag. There were an abundance of tributes in song and music presented by members of the Rastafarian community to which Iwandai belonged; and many more by community and church groups.
Notwithstanding his beliefs in the Rastafarian religion and culture, Iwandai was an independent and complex thinker whose views, other beliefs, and notable preaching, including his knowledge and interpretation of Biblical doctrines, transcended by far those of his own brethren.
Mr. Ralph Hodge, a close friend, delivered a tribute in which he touched on some of the salient features that characterised Iwandai’s life.
He told the large crowd in part: “Iwandai never forgot to advise you from whence you came, telling you your position or allowing you to have relevant, pertinent advice and guidance that would eventually determine where you were heading in the future. Which one of you, within the sound of my voice, can honestly say that his sermons did not make sense as a gateway for a brighter future for our lovely island? His was a call for social justice in a system where the administration of law and order was in need of help for the return of values that made Anguilla a thriving community; where your house is my house; your pain is my pain; your joys, my joys; your children, my children; and your failures and successes, mine. His was a call for a return to Anguilla where, if you fell down, I lifted you up; and a community where we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper and not enemies because we have a difference of opinion. How can any of us, with a vision for a better nation, deny the contributions that his vision has foretold in relation to Anguilla’s journey in the future? You will remember Iwandai calling out the forces of law and order; the business and political elite; those who made any hint of dividing us in classes; the renegades on our streets who continued to tarnish our island’s good name and even our spiritual and religious leaders. This diminutive giant of a man saw beyond the vision of others – love him or hate him. Deep within, he made perfect sense. He was really a social icon. His call for a return to the land may very well be the recipe for a cure to many of the illnesses of our present day. He never failed to remind us that where there is no vision, a people will perish. A meaningful dialogue with Iwandai, gave you food for thought.”
Other tributes came from Mrs. Janice Hodge, who chaired that period of the Thanksgiving Service and who, along with Mr. Alkins Rogers, presented the eulogy. Among the others who delivered tributes was Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira , a well-known and respected Antiguan Rastarfarian, radio broadcaster and sports caster, who delivered a poetic presentation on Iwandai and Iwandai’s longstanding friend and colleague, Ras B, who preceded him in death just over four months ago.
Three Ministers of Religion were present to officiate in the service. One was Anglican Priest, Reverend Menes Hodge, who delivered words of comfort to the grieving family. The others were Methodist Ministers Reverend John A. Gumbs, who delivered some of the opening sentences and Scripture reading, and the Superintendent Minister, the Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs who was to deliver the homily.
Unfortunately, the service did not get to that point of delivery due in part to a disagreement by one or two visiting Rastafarians from St. Martin/St. Maarten. As the situation continued, Reverend Wycherley Gumbs declined to deliver his homily saying the time was too late, the weather was worsening, and the burial still had to be performed at Sandy Ground Cemetery where Iwandai was laid to rest.
Iwandai’s passing is a great loss to Anguilla.
May his soul rest in peace.
