Statement by
Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham
on the Death of Rex Nettleford, OM

3 February 2010

On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas I offer condolences to the family of Ralston Milton “Rex” Nettleford, OM, who passed away yesterday.  I also wish to express sympathy to the Jamaican people on the passing of their native son who was the proverbial Renaissance man.  

Rex Nettleford made extraordinary contributions to Jamaica, the wider Caribbean, and the Caribbean Diaspora as an educator, sociologist, writer, social critic, dancer, choreographer and trade unionist.  He was a committed regionalist who was also internationally recognized for his intellectual and creative pursuits. 

At his death he was a professor of Extra Mural Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and head of the Trade Union Education Institution, having previously served as Vice Chancellor of UWI for a number of years.  He also lectured at the University’s Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) 

His contributions to the cultural life of Jamaica included his founding and service as the artistic director and principal choreographer of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) of Jamaica.  He led the company for nearly 50 years and was himself a brilliant dancer. 

Rex Nettleford was the Cultural Advisor to the Prime Minister of Jamaica, and served as a cultural advisor to Carifesta and UNESCO, as well as to the Government of Ghana.  

He was a profoundly Caribbean man, who celebrated the unique history of the region through his writings and artistic expression. He was deeply committed to education as a major vehicle for regional development. 

Professor Nettleford visited The Bahamas on numerous occasions and knew many Bahamians through his visits and his work at UWI.  Both Jamaica and the wider Caribbean have lost a native son whose extraordinary talents will be missed.  The Bahamas joins Caribbean people throughout the world in mourning the death of this revered cultural icon.