National Hero and leader of the 1763 Slave Rebellion, Cuffy, at a political rally at the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Friday night. Nandlall, who is a candidate for the party in the September 1 general and regional election, had told supporters that Cuffy “was a proud and upstanding house slave”. In an apparent reference to the statements allegedly being made by those opposing Afro-Guyanese people supporting the predominantly Indo-Guyanese based PPP/C, Nandlall said “They insult you, they call you big batty Africans, they call you house slaves, they call you the nastiest things.

“Well I want you to tell them that the National Hero of this country is Cuffy and Cuffy was a proud and upstanding house slave. Nothing wrong with being a house slave,” Nandlall said. Cuffy has been honoured as a National Hero for leading the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion in Guyana, which was the largest and most significant slave rebellion in the Caribbean’s history. In his apology posted on his Facebook page, Nandlall said his comments did not accurately convey his intention, and “for my lack of clarity, I offer my unqualified and unreserved apology.

“My intention was to condemn attempts at racial division in our country. I regard the unity of our people as indispensable to the advancement of our nation. Again, I offer my humble apologies for any unintended disrespect conveyed or offence committed,” he added.

Nandlall said the public record will reflect that he has always described slavery as, by far, the worst tragedy in recorded history, explaining that his intention was not born out of ill-will or any form of disrespect whatsoever. But in a statement, the coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) headed by the main opposition, the Afro-Guyanese dominated People’s National Congress/Reform (PPNCR), said the statement by Nandlall was “totally ignorant and repugnant. (Jamaica Gleaner)