Sir James Mancham launches new book |13 September 2014

‘SEYCHELLES – The saga of a small nation navigating through the cross-currents of a big world’ is the title of the last book written by Seychelles first President Sir James Richard Mancham.

Published by Mahé Publications, the 450-page book was officially launched yesterday evening at the Espace building by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton in the presence of the President of the Republic James Michel. The launch also coincided with Mr Mancham’s 75th birthday.

Also present were Vice-President Danny Faure, government ministers, judges of the Supreme Court, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Honourable David Pierre and other members of the Assembly as well as Mrs Mancham and friends of the Mancham family.

Minister Meriton described the publication of Sir James’ latest book as timely and addressing many of the pressing issues of the day, as our small island nation continues to find its way amid the maelstrom of an ever-changing world. He added that it depicts the challenges that a nation such as ours inevitably faces in this era of globalisation with the optimism and belief that Sir James has for his country, added to the sense of opportunity that lies ahead – if we are able to skillfully navigate these cross-currents.

Mr Meriton highlighted that the book is a reminder of the difficult decisions that the Seychellois nation has faced – from the Cold War world into which independent Seychelles emerged in 1976, to our contemporary globalised world where civil conflicts challenge the ability of the United Nations to be the force for peace that we all wish it could be.

“Sir James’ book is a reminder of the power of ideas and that one does not need to be big to have good ideas. […] Through this book, Sir James also reminds us of the power of unity,” he said.  

Mr Meriton concluded by thanking Sir James for reminding through the book that even if we are small we can make a big difference, and for his contribution to nation building, to which the book represents another milestone.  

Other speakers at the book’s launching included two of Mr Mancham’s political companions who have since become successful and respected lawyers – Daniel Belle who was also the evening’s master of ceremony, and Nichol Gabriel. Incidentally both have at one point of their political career succeeded Mr Mancham as leader of the Democratic Party. One of Mr Mancham’s schoolmates, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church French Chang-Him, also had a word to say.

While Mr Belle called for a national literary award which will inculcate the culture of writing in our nation in a year of “national record” when the country’s current president and ex-presidents have all published books, Mr Gabriel referred to Sir James as “a simple man, but the dinosaur of Seychelles politics who at the same time believes in world peace”.

“People of all political horizons attending tonight’s event shows how he is the master of national reconciliation,” Mr Gabriel said.
Archbishop Chang-Him also called for a repository of books by Seychellois authors.

Mr Mancham has also judged his book as “very timely”. He has revealed that the work which he started working on in January this year came as a result of his son Richard wanting him to share what is still unknown to the young people of Seychelles.