Peter Tosh Museum reopened
Published:Sunday | October 22, 2023 | 12:08 AMShanel Lemmie - Staff Reporter
On the night of his 79th birthday, Peter Tosh’s memory was commemorated with family, friends and admirers for the grand reopening of the legend’s museum at the Pulse Centre on Trafalgar Road in New Kingston.
Closing amid the pandemic in 2020, the Peter Tosh Museum offered insight into the life and legacy of the Jamaican singer-songwriter.
Prior to introducing the latest award that Tosh has received posthumously, Pulse’s managing director of fashion and lifestyle, Romae Gordon, greeted the audience with her signature smile. She began, “On his birthday, we are gathered to give more than an ode to Tosh whose presence and impact are as strong today as when he began his advocacy for the liberation of people across the globe through his cutting-edge and decisive lyrics.”
Gordon shared her own affinity for the legend and her deep pleasure sharing her experience with his legacy with students across the island. Quickly segueing into Tosh’s latest honour, she explained that the The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is a national honour conferred by the Government of South Africa.
“The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is awarded in three categories to eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore concerned primarily with matters of peace, cooperation, international solidarity and support and is integral to the execution of South Africa’s international and multilateral relations,” she explained.
While the award has already been placed in the museum, the South African High Commissioner to Jamaica, Lumka Yengeni, was present to further illuminate Tosh’s importance to the African state, especially during the apartheid era.
Named after the South African freedom fighter Oliver Reginald Tambo, Yengeni shared her nation’s gratitude for Tosh’s presence. “The order constitutes an essential pillar of international and multinational relations. Long live the undying spirit of Peter Tosh,” she declared.
As the night went on, the podium seemingly transformed into a revolving door, affording the myriad of guests the opportunity to laud the Jamaican icon.
“I am so proud to be on this journey carrying on his legacy. I’ve been doing it since 2009 and I have learned through the school of hard knocks because when you’re a little girl no one tells you that you’re gonna grow up and take over a legacy and you have to figure it out. But it’s been on this beautiful journey that really I can feel my father’s spirit guiding me through this,” said Niambe McIntosh, Peter Tosh’s daughter.
Marvelling at her father’s lasting and transcendental talent, she explained how earlier this year she was able to meet the president of South Africa, a feat that her father fought for through his music to make possible with the end of the apartheid regime.
“I am truly honoured to be here and I thank you all for showing up today and please do your part. It’s not just my job or this museum’s job to continue to spread my father’s message.”
Ending the night with a multi-generational rendition of Tosh’s Lessons in my Life by Tosh’s son Andrew and his grandson Andre, the audience rocked to his revolutionary music before once again taking in the splendour of his life through the museum.