Former minister Alain St Ange to publish his autobiography |06 January 2023
A mock-up cover of the soon to be published autobiography of Alain St Ange
“This is a personal story, not only about a life that I’ve been proud to live, but about my family that helped shaped me into the man I became.”
Alain St Ange, Seychelles’ former minister for tourism, among other portfolios, will soon publish his autobiography ‘Alain St Ange, My Journey’. After his long journey in tourism and an active political life, the author comes out with his autobiography. “Today, I realise more than ever before, the pains and tribulations of past generations. From as far back as those who were slaves, where even the family names were adapted to the one who freed them, to today, only six generations later, to participate in the Nation's Presidential Elections,” he shares.
Seychelles NATION: Mr St Ange, please update us on your new adventure?
Alain St Ange: My autobiography ‘Alain St Ange, My Journey’ is currently in its final stages prior to going to print. As extended family members find old photos and information on our shared ancestors, it allowed me to revisit previous chapters to ensure that they are properly recognised. A recent addition that I just received is an old photograph of the 1930 Seychelles Police Force when Samuel Worsencroft (whose daughter married the first Charles Saint Ange) was part of the force.
Seychelles NATION: What inspired you to pen your autobiography?
Alain St Ange: My autobiography chronicles my life from the La Digue island boy who was brought up to become a loving father and grandfather, and who rose through the ranks with hard work, tenacity, and an unwavering passion for Seychelles.
My love for history is why I’ve attempted to place on record not only my life, but also the family tree from which I descended as well as that of my wife Ginette St Ange née Michel. This work is inspired by the desire to continue to document and preserve the rich history of our families for future generations. It’s said that most of us will be forgotten within four generations; hopefully this book can help our descendants understand where we came from and to not forget those that came before us.
I am writing my autobiography now as time waits for no one, and I’m at the best stage of my life to reflect and dedicate the time required. I’m proud of my story and felt it may well inspire others. This knowledge kept me working and kept me digging through family historical records. Today, I realise more than ever before, the pains and tribulations of past generations. From as far back as those who were slaves, where even the family name was adapted to the one who freed them, to today only six generations later, to participate in the Nation’s Presidential Elections.
Seychelles NATION: What are the main chapters you talk about in your book?
Alain St Ange: The book documents my life from birth, to education, through to my employment years including my time at the Ministry of Tourism. It includes details on my self-exile following termination of employment by Albert Rene in the early 1980s, and subsequent re-employment into the Seychelles Tourism Board following a call by the Islands’ Tourism Private Sector Trade, through to my appointment as Minister for Tourism by James Michel.
The book covers my bid for the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) position and the subsequent saga that ended with a court case against the Seychelles government. The book ends with a section dedicated to politics in Seychelles, from the family’s participation in the colonial era, right up to my own bid at the last Presidential elections.
‘Alain St Ange, My Journey’ documents the construction of the ‘Cabanes Des Anges’ Hotel on La Digue in 1972, including never-seen-before photos forwarded by previous guests from the 1970s, until it was acquired under duress by the government of Albert Rene. This section includes extracts documenting what transpired in the recent sessions of the TRNUC (Truth, Reconciliation & National Unity Commission).
A large part of the book has been dedicated to documenting and preserving the family historical lines from the different branches of my extended St Ange (Saint Ange) family of Seychelles, including the Mellon, De Charmoy Lablache, and Savy families. I’ve also taken the opportunity to document and preserve the rich heritage of the Michel and Hunt families (through my wife, Ginette St Ange née Michel).
This section includes as many birth and death certificates that we could find, their final resting places where available, as well as photos and some of their individual life stories. It was important that they weren’t forgotten, and my book gave us the repository to properly preserve their legacies.
Seychelles NATION: Where is the book being published, where will it be sold and at what price?
Alain St Ange: We are in final discussions with publishing houses, and I am still finalising details around the final size of the book which will impact on the final costs.
More information will be shared as soon as we go to print.
Seychelles NATION: Mr St Ange, please tell our readers what are you doing now?
Alain St Ange: I continue to be actively involved in World Tourism through my consultancy and participate as speaker at many conferences throughout the world.
The research undertaken for my autobiography enabled me to discover myself, as well as my family’s achievements, ensuring that the St Ange family generations to come will better understand their proud legacy.
“YOU MAY SAY I’M A DREAMER, BUT I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE. I HOPE SOME DAY YOU’LL JOIN US, AND THE WORLD WILL LIVE AS ONE.”
I re-echoed these famous words of John Lennon at the opening of the first edition of the ‘Carnaval International de Victoria’ in 2011, and even today, these words continue to guide me. I’ve lived a full life with no what-ifs and have remained true to myself throughout. What more can one asks from life?
Vidya Gappy
