00:00And the young people of Trinidad and Tobago, the African young people of Trinidad and Tobago,
00:05you have a young, able-bodied member of Parliament from Muruga Table,
00:12and that is the proud Minister of Culture and Community Development,
00:15that is here to ensure our culture lives on,
00:19not only in the dance performance that graced this honourable street this morning,
00:24but in all throughout Trinidad and Tobago,
00:28in every theatre space, in every school, and in every village.
00:32That is the commitment of Trinidad and Tobago,
00:35that is the commitment I give to you,
00:36and that is the commitment of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago.
00:39Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin today,
00:42as she addressed the crowd at the annual Emancipation Kambule Observance.
00:48However, her remarks were met with repeated jers and criticism from some members of the audience.
01:03Earlier in her address, Benjamin paused to appeal for unity after being greeted by boos while taking the podium.
01:10It is important that we have that remembrance.
01:14And we remember that emancipation is also emancipating ourselves from mental slavery.
01:21While we may stand in crowds and heckle,
01:25it is important that we remember that united as a people is the only way,
01:32as Sister Zakia rightfully states,
01:35that we can overcome any obstacle that we face.
01:38As an African community, we have so many obstacles that we have to overcome.
01:44We have to overcome the obstacle of fighting each and every one down.
01:49A practicing spiritual Baptist,
01:52the minister says,
01:53she is of the view that the faith holds the key.
01:57I can tell you,
01:58as a practicing spiritual Baptist,
02:01it is the only faith that is capable of uniting this African heritage and this African people.
02:09Because when we call,
02:10we know that our ancestors would hear and would answer that call.
02:16And that call is always a unified call.
02:19And that call is echoing the sentiments of the cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago,
02:24led by Kamala Posad-Picester.
02:27Despite the interruptions,
02:29the minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving African culture
02:34and supporting the work of the Emancipation Support Committee.
02:39I want to tell you that myself and the desk of the ministry,
02:43we are working to make sure that that commitment and that this festival grows.
02:49You have my commitment that every year we will be here,
02:53your crowds will be bigger and the entertainment will be bigger.
02:58And of course, we will help you build.
03:00That is my commitment.
03:02Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
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