In a symbolic move to highlight the need for Jamaica to move past its divisive, violent political history and to restore unity in society, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke revealed today that the nation would introduce a new $2,000 note featuring the likenesses of former prime ministers and political rivals Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.

During his opening contribution to the 2022-2023 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, Clarke provided the country with a first look at the new $2,000 note as well as other revamped notes to be introduced in recognition of Jamaica’s 60th year of Independence.

“Our symbolism must not seed division. Instead it should forge unity and lift us all up in the process,” Clarke said of the move which would symbolically bring together the two leaders who faced off against each other during the tumultuous 1980s when the country was arguably at its most politically violent.

Reflecting on the history of the Jamaican dollar, the finance minister noted that, at the dawn of the nation “it was a deliberate, thoughtful act to prominently place our national heroes on our banknotes to give credit where credit is due and also to remind ourselves of our capacity for self-determination, that we have agency and we can create the future we want; and that we can be self sufficient not be dependent on foreign powers for basic needs”.

JAMAICA PROJECT DRIFTED FROM ORIGINAL INTENT

He noted that it was Seaga who at the time said: “So the very first act is to understand that we have our leaders,
past and present, and understand that they, together, past and present, achieved many things we enjoy today and because they have achieved these things we are a people capable of respect, capable of understanding our own potential and, therefore, one who understands that the meaning of the word independent is that it is to be a body of people in a nation that can do for themselves that which needs to be done. History plays a vital and important role in the creation of our society, in its development and in its progression.”

Said Clarke: “So, we have to upgrade our banknotes for the technical reasons given, and we have a new $2,000 banknote to launch.

“But the Jamaica project has, in this regard, drifted from the original intent – our heroes no longer appear on our banknotes.

“In this 60th year of our independence this aspect of the national project must be restored.

“Our national heroes must, once again, appear on our banknotes.

“We must be constantly reminded of those who came before us and sacrificed so that we can enjoy what we have today.”

Clarke noted that the country has seven national heroes and four deceased prime ministers, including Seaga, but only six banknotes: $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $2,000 and the $5,000.

“That is, we have 11 faces to fit onto six banknotes where faces only appear on one side of each note. This means that we need to have two faces per note.

“Leaders should appear in chronological order subject to no leader appear in a banknote of lower denomination than
he/she was before.

With that in mind, the newly designed banknotes will have Paul Bogle and George William Gordon, who were on Jamaica’s original banknotes, but who today are on none, being restored and appearing together on the upgraded $50 banknote.

Marcus Garvey, who was on Jamaica’s 50c banknote, but who is on no banknote today, will be restored and will appear alone on the upgraded $100 banknote.

Nanny of the Maroons and Sam Sharpe will appear together on the upgraded $500 note.

Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley, who were founding fathers of modern Jamaica, and who were contemporaries, serving over similar periods and who were on Jamaica’s original banknotes are on none. They will be restored and will appear together on the upgraded $1,000 banknote.

Speaking of the $2,000 banknote featuring Manley and Seaga, Clarke said: “Remarkably, through great political and civil society leadership our country stepped back from the brink, and reformed itself.

“Today, Jamaica’s electoral system is a model for the world. However, not all the scars of this period have healed. Persons active in that era are still with us. Families who lost loved ones, who were displaced, who lost homes and jobs due to the conflict are still with here. They remember. They hurt. And, in many cases, those wounds and feelings run deep.

“We validate those experiences, wherever they exist, as authentic and sincere.

“But are we to construct our affairs today in a manner that perpetuates this hurt bequeaths unto future generations strife and division? Or are we to seek constructive, real and symbolic ways of forging the unity, peace and love of which our great philosophers, prophets and artists advocate?

“The latter path has to be the way. We must restore unity in our society. Our symbolism must not seed division. Instead it should forge unity and lift us all up in the process.

“This has been the message of Prime Minister Andrew Holness from his first speech as prime minister in 2011 entitled ‘De-garrisonisation of the Mind’.

“Therefore, with the backing of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Jamaica and with the consent of the representatives of the families of the Most Hon. Michael Manley and the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, we are therefore pleased that The Most Honourable Michael Manley and The Most Honourable Edward Seaga, who were contemporaries and rivals, will appear together on the new $2,000 banknote.”

The finance minister thanked the families of both Manley and Seaga for their consent, as he noted that the country must move forward in unity, peace and love.