Toots Hibbert—

The Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has announced that reggae legend, Toots Hibbert, will be laid to rest at National Heroes’ Park.

Minister Grange said this had become possible thanks to the generosity of the family of the late Charles Hyatt — the actor, broadcaster, director and author — whose remains were due to be re-interred in the last burial spot for cultural icons at National Heroes’ Park.

The minister’s statement is below:

“At the time of his death in January, 2007, the family of our dear Charles Hyatt had requested that he be buried in National Heroes’ Park, but they were told that there were no more spaces available and he was instead interred at Meadowrest Memorial Park in St Catherine.

It was later discovered that there was one final burial space available in the relevant section at National Heroes’ Park and the government went back to the family who decided that they would exhume Mr Hyatt’s remains and re-inter them in National Heroes Park.

It has been several years since that decision.

Given the current need for a suitable burial place for the late Toots Hibbert, the Hyatt family has generously consented to allow the reggae legend to be interred in the final burial spot in the section for cultural icons in National Heroes’ Park.

I have received the approval of the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, to proceed with plans for the interment of Toots Hibbert in National Heroes Park.

I deeply appreciate the consideration of the Hyatt family in this matter.

Toots & Olivia “Babsy” Grange

Toots is without question one of the pioneers of reggae music. He has even been credited with giving the genre its name. He is a national treasure whose humble demeanour and affable personality belied his towering global stature.

Interment in National Heroes Park will suitably memorialize his contribution to Jamaica and reignite the unity in his family, among his peers and his fans which is required at this time.

I also endorse plans to erect a monument to Toots in his hometown.

The current situation has highlighted the need for the establishment of a Memorial Park for the interment of Jamaica’s cultural icons.

We started work on the establishment of this memorial park in the Bruce Golding administration.

So far we have developed a concept, identified a location where the relevant tests, including soil testing, have been completed. We will now move to develop the designs and budget to present a detailed proposal to the Cabinet.

I commit to ensuring that the late Charles Hyatt is memorialized in the proposed park.”


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