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Archive -Seychelles

‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown’ |29 January 2015

• Mancham commends President Michel for “keeping a cool head”

 


Mr Mancham presenting President Michel with a copy of his latest book during its official launch in September last year. Mr Mancham has described President Michel as a man who is determined to bring lasting changes to the country despite the enormous challenges before us


The office of founding President James R. Mancham yesterday issued copy of the following self-explanatory letter which Mr Mancham has addressed to President James Michel.

Dear President Michel

In your recent, 'I Love Seychelles' message, you stated -
"Let the love of our country inspire us in everything we do. Let us proclaim to the whole world what we stand for as a nation, who we are as a people. A peace-loving people, at peace with itself and the rest of the world. A small nation relentlessly fighting for the cause of small island developing states and the emergence of the Blue Economy in the international order.

In this year of 'I Love Seychelles!' let us appreciate what we have in our country and strive to empower Seychelles – in every aspect. We may have our disagreements and differences – which is normal in every democratic society – but do not allow them to separate us. Let us honour the national symbols and institutions of our country, and let us teach our children to do the same. They shall become the new torchbearers of Seychelles.

This year's theme encapsulates all that we hold dear as a nation. Let it inspire and motivate us to do yet greater things for Seychelles – for the love of Seychelles!"

Against the background of the above sentiments which I do share, I became convinced that you are the right man, in the right place, at the right time. For this reason, I had no hesitation to proclaim this belief, for all to read, in my recent book SEYCHELLES – The saga of a small nation navigating the cross-currents of a big world. In the circumstances of today, I wish to assure you that I remain firm with respect to this conviction and therefore wish to assure you of my full support in the discharge of the challenges and tasks which lie ahead for you and the 'new team' which constitute the new Cabinet.

The key word in the title of my book is "Navigate". Navigating through what? The answer is clear – "The cross-currents".
As an experienced statesman and political animal, I am aware that heavy is the burden on the head of the man who wears the crown. That is why I commend you for keeping a "cool head" as you navigate through difficult and uncharted waters. At the end of the day, there can be only one captain on a ship (and by Jove, the job can be a very lonely one).

Seychelles can indeed consider herself lucky to have at the helm of the Ship of State, a man who is determined to bring lasting changes to the country despite the enormous challenges before us.

Best regards.
Yours sincerely
Sir James R. Mancham, KBE

 

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