People’s Progressive Party stalwart Brindley Benn, CCH, the father of Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, died yesterday after a brief illness.
Brindley Benn
General Secretary of the PPP Donald Ramotar told Stabroek News last evening that the former Deputy Prime Minister of Guyana passed away at his home yesterday afternoon. He died of natural causes. He was 86 and just a few weeks shy of his birthday. Ramotar said the PPP is mourning the loss of the party stalwart who he noted contributed “tremendously” towards the development of Guyana. Speaking on behalf of the PPP, Ramotar said that Benn played an integral role in the political struggles of the 1960s. He said Benn, who held the roles of Minister of Education (1957), Agriculture (1961) and Lands and Mines while serving the PPP, was one of the “giants who stood up against colonialism.” He also said that the father of seven fought consistently against “the PNC dictatorship,” while that party was in office.
Brindley Benn was born Brindley Horatio Benn on January 24, 1923 in Georgetown, the second of two boys. He was a school teacher at the now Richard Ishmael Secondary School before joining the PPP in the early 1950s after attending a political rally and listening to the late President Cheddi Jagan.
After he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Benn conceptualised and formed the Guyana School of Agriculture. He also oversaw the implementation of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Development Project and the Boeraserie, Tapacuma and Black Bush Polder projects.
After the 1964 election when the PPP lost office, Benn left the PPP following differences in opinion with the party. He then formed his own party the Working People’s Vanguard Party. And thereafter, in the 1970s, he joined forces with the late Walter Rodney, Eusi Kwayana and Rupert Roopnarine and others to form the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). He was later an advisor to the Democratic Labour Movement.
After the PPP returned to office following the 1992 general elections, Benn accepted Jagan’s offer to be on the list of candidates of the party and won a seat in Parliament. He was later appointed Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, a position he held from 1993 to 1998.
The last public offices he held were Chairman of the Guyana Lotteries Commis-sion as well as being a member of the Appeals Board of the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Condolences to Robeson and family..A good man
Reddy. Don’t tempt me. Good????
MY Condolences to that GREAT FAMILY.. Like Josh Ramsammy and others this man was a FREEDOM FIGHTER…. oh Guyana why not more like him!
RACE DOES NOT MATTER!!!!
to the Hon.Minister i mourn ur fathers passing RIP brindley !….
mmmmmmmmmmm… reddy i will kept my piece for another time…condolences to the benn family.
Michale Tannassee why all the profanity??
Stabroek News, when people on this site uses my name in their comments you don’t edit it, BUT WHEN I DO THE SAME YOU DOES EDIT LIKE (swearing).
Not knowing Mr Brindley Benn and just relying on the strength of this news article, it appears that Mr Benn was a giant of the Guyana political establishment and a man of firm convictions.
Had he written his memoirs, it is clear that it would have been gripping reading.
May his soul rest in peace.
Correct Satesh,,, My condolences to the Honourable Minister Mr Benn and family and all Guyanese on the passing of this good son of Guyana…
Condolences to the Benn Family.
Brandon, may God bless you . Wonders never cease.
yasuman71, you invoking the name of God !!!! i doubt he is listening to you
…. and john: Are YOU REALLY, REALLY SURE THAT GOD IS LISTENING TO YOU?
Your work here is done, you have lived a long life during which time you made a valuable contribution to your country. You died at your home of old age. May we all be this fortunate and may your soul rest in peace.
Even though I am tempted to break my golden rule, I will not. To those whom I have nothing good to say, I say nothing. RIP.
Be nice.
The ‘grim reaper’ usually strikes in 3’s. Sadly, Christmas is usually a sad time for some households. Stay strong.
BB your contribution helped me carved my political opinions in those early days of Internal Self Government. Your work is done ‘May yo Rest In Peace. My sincere sympathy to the family who mourn your loss and the Guyanese public in general
RIP uncle Benn….Kitty man like me…
I nominate your great son Robson to be President of Guyana.
Condolences to family members::::
i thought u woulda nominate rum and gambling…but we hear that if the ppp win again Benn will be PM
As a youth born and bred in Kitty i am very proud of the Benn’s family for their acheivements. may his soul be with the angels in eternal peace.DD ur golden rule is a rust bucket of sour grapes,we all have to go that way one day.Guyana lost another stalwart inspired by Our Founding Father Cheddi. R.I.P great son of Guyana.
SandHurst First
whe yuh get dat rum ting from??????
Gambling yea but nat rum bro……
me ent like de taste of rum suh no can do….
if i was yuh prezzie den i would have had yuh wokin and gambling….in dat way i get to tax yuh twice……
ehehehehehehehehehe
Brindley Benn. I recall him from a very early age.In the history of Guyana,his name will be mentioned above most of those buried in the selected burial grounds.Why? He was unlike any of them. He did not pass himself off as a leading citizen, and never thought of coveting the seat of honor.In following the great Cheddi whom he loved and respected,he finally found his place among the pantheons of Guyana.
Brutus, who said:’”you can stop the sun from rising, but you can’t stop communism in Guyana”. So entrenched was that fellow in the communist ideology that he was willing to make such a rediculous statement. ISNM
This is one of the better ones (human) that Guyana has produced. Brindley Benn has always projected a very sober headed personality, both as a MP and as a Diplomat. He must be commended for taking a major leadership role as the founder of The GSA. He did had his run-in with Burnham, but Forbes respected him for the man he is. Many if not all of the major water and land engeneering projects in Guyana has his name and stamp affixed. Condolences to his family and trust that his son keep the good family flame burning. RIP Brindley, you have served our country well. Guyana is a better place because of your contribution(s). PEACE.
For those younger folks,it was Brindley who said “Heads will roll”.In my view,he was right,because he was against corruption.He also said,”you can stop tomorrow,but not Communism”.R.I.P.Brindley,the struggles continues.