Over the weekend just past…I found myself in the midst of heartfelt conversations, delving into a topic that many Jamaicans seem to avoid — the critical importance of writing a "Will."
This pressing matter came to the forefront and was, triggered by the heart-wrenching situation of a family friend grappling with the aftermath of her daughter's tragic demise. Despite the late daughter’s seemingly organised business life, the absence of a Will is now a stumbling block in the process of finding closure.
As I reflect on life's unpredictable nature, I can't help but wonder why so many Jamaicans shy away from the responsibility of preparing a Will. Personally, I took this step at the age of 25 when I was a single parent, viewing it as a necessary measure to ensure the well-being of my child in case of an unforeseen departure.
Now, well into my sixties, I've maintained this commitment by regularly updating and refining my Will, securely placing it with other important documents. This practical approach ensures that there will be no need for frantic searches or costly legal processes when the time comes.
Despite living in an age filled with knowledge and information, I've observed a prevailing reluctance within Jamaican society to embrace the concept of writing a Will. It's as if the act of putting pen to paper in a Will is synonymous with inviting an untimely end.
The disconcerting stories of family discord over inheritances, locally referred to as the "war" over 'dead lef', only emphasise the urgency of this matter. In this landscape, the absence of a Will becomes a fertile ground for conflicts, with some even resorting to unthinkable acts to secure what they perceive as their entitlement.
I challenge this mindset, questioning why, in the face of chaotic legacies left by iconic figures like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, Jamaicans still shy away from writing a Will. A Will, as I emphatically state, is a guarantee against posthumous discord, ensuring a peaceful rest.
So I implore my fellow Jamaicans to shift their mindset. Writing a Will is not a dance with death but a responsible act that guarantees a serene departure. It is a practical step to ensure that, when the time comes, the legacy you leave behind is one of peace and order and you can Rest In Peace, whatever that means.
Writer, Lois Grant
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As an insurance agent this is something ive always encouraged clients to do, especially parents, but many feel its calling down death on them, others say 'later'.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me, mine needs updating!
It's the fear of death that has cultivated this culture among our people. Interestingly, the ones who call themselves Christians are the ones with the greatest fear of dying.lol. Uno fe write uno will and get real. All a we a go dead. We have no choice and we cyaan carry de house, car or land wid we.so leff dem so others can benefit and mek life easier for them and their families.
ReplyDeleteThe following is a response from
ReplyDeleteTlalle Ntoi in Lesotho,South Africa:
Man, as if Vernon knows the situation am in right now. I've been in an out of Court fro 27July 2023, 7 September and we are back there on 23 January 2023 over the same matter referred to by Derby.
My case is somehow a little different from the case he cites. Prime is that my parents married customarily rather than civilly.
At thè instruction of our Dad who was Commissioner of Police.
Before he departed, he said he and his wife if they depart before us, they should be buried in their yard at our home about 65km from Maseru the Capital of Lesotho where we all live. No one ever thought or claimed our home to be their property.
That problem came up after our elder Brother passed away in 2020.
His wife is now claiming the whole place including our parents graves to be hers.
The issue is that lesotho is ruled under two legal systems being Civil Law and Customary law.
The customary law in Lesotho is meant for the males only.
This sister in law is by birth a Xlhosa and she's never liked the Basotho customs.
It becomes a long story which does not scare me cos she argued in court that she inherited the place from her late husband.
My argument generally is that my late brother did not at all have a legal right to inherit anything on his own without us Siblings cos neither our dad nor mother gave him that family home which at the time had our dad's grave. Culturally, the graves are such an important asset where anyone of us pays a visit once in a while.
This is to say that if one of us would own the entire site, we will rely on her willingness for us to get into the yard. I hope you understand my issue Sir!!!
That response i republished from Ntoi is a heavy lesson in culture,Anthropology and Sociology.
ReplyDeleteLesotho is a landlocked country surrounded by South Africa occupied mainly by one tribe the Basotho people who speak Xhosa as their language.
Lesotho is ruled by a Basotho King who is not a symbol of the colonizer but their own with real power.
When a male gets to 18 the king gives you your own land. The capital of Lesotho is Maseru.
The concept of squatting is non existent in Lesotho and Customary Law is very important.
I await the ruling of this land dispute involving this Sister in Law who is fron the Xhosa tribe.
In SA there are Zulus and the Basotho and Xhosa people have nothing to do with them.As a matter they are fearfully suspicious always of Zulus even outside of the country was my personal experience.
I would like Jamaica to have a real relationship with Lesotho as I realize they have similar challenges like crime corruption, education,economic development and artistic cultural organization.
I see a lot of areas where we could assist and vice versa.
How about having embassies in each other's country.
I must tell you also I named a daughter of mine NTOI in honour of my Basotho friend Tlalle Ntoi.
Interesting connection we attended Rutgers University together.
By the way Freedom Fighter Nelson Mandela is from this same Basotho tribe.