Lasting legacy

Tosh Estate begins work on charity, museum

Jamaica recently bestowed its third highest honour on the late reggae veteran, Peter Tosh - a move which has many tongues wagging.

Tosh now joins the ranks of fellow founding member of The Wailers and reggae legend, Bob Marley and, of course, Jimmy Cliff.

The third founding member, Bunny Wailer, was honoured with the nation's fifth highest award, the Order of Jamaica.

Chairman of the entertainment and advisory board in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Kingsley Cooper, along with the Peter Tosh Estate hosted a few special guests at a reception in honour of Tosh.

The reception, which took place at Villa Ronai, immediately followed the National Honours and Awards investiture ceremony where Tosh and Bunny Wailer were among 157 Jamaicans recognised for their contribution to the development of the country.

Present at the reception was Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Wykeham McNeill and his junior minister Damion Crawford.

McNeill believes the reason Tosh is still being honoured today, 25 years after his death, is because the causes that he stood for and sang about in his music are still relevant today.

Tosh's daughter, Niambe, received the award on behalf of her father. Niambe told The Gleaner that she was filled with joy accepting the award in honour of her father, adding that she herself felt honoured.

The reggae legend's children acquired control of the Peter Tosh Estate some three years ago and, according to Niambe, they are in talks with Cooper to set up a museum for the reggae legend which will display some of Tosh's iconic items like his M-16 guitar and his unicycle.

Niambe added that there are a lot of things that are in the works for the Peter Tosh Estate, including developing Tosh's memorial garden in Belmont. Also, the estate is looking to support some worthy charities.

"We haven't selected any per se but we would definitely like to attach the Peter Tosh name to something that is benefitting a community," Niambe said.

Niambe also mentioned licensing deals, highlighting one in Australia where there will be a Legalise It sandal with, of course, a marijuana compartment.

When asked about her father's affiliation with the controversial herb, which was a recurring topic at the reception, Niambe was quick to defend his stance on legalisation.

Pulse acquired the rights to the video of Tosh's last concert performance at Superjam, and snippets from the concert were shown throughout the reception. Cooper says the concert came at a time when Tosh was at the apex of his solo career and many extolled his performance as the best live performance ever in Jamaica.

(from Jamaica Gleaner)