Corey Connelly
PNM candidate for Mason Hall/Moriah/Providence candidate in the January 25 THA election Kwesi Des Vignes says he intends to be an advocate for culture in Tobago.
Des Vignes, the Secretary for Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, filed his nomination papers on Monday. His entourage included bélé dancers, moko jumbies, drummers and fire blowers. Des Vignes said his family is rooted in culture and he intends to devise strategies to preserve the island’s heritage.
“One of the things I want to get going and preserving, my electoral district is the only one where every single community has a presentation for the heritage festival, and it is very important for me, personally, to ensure that we preserve our culture,” he said, singling out the Moriah Ole Time Wedding as an example.
In his first attempt at electoral politics, Des Vignes described the experience of filing nomination papers as “exciting but extremely humbling.
“Because it is not just about prestige or power, but progress,” he said.
“I have a responsibility to the party, the electorate. I have a responsibility to my family and all of Tobago. I am prepared to stick to my mantra of walking the talk.” Des Vignes said he grew up in all of the communities in the electoral district.
“My family is from Moriah. I was born in Mason Hall. I spent some time in Providence growing up. So people across the electoral district know me personally, and that is why we have gone with a very informal campaign slogan: With Kwesi.”
