Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley and Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley are set to become the first Jamaicans to be awarded the newly created Order of National Icon, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced.
During his National Heroes’ Day message on Monday, Holness revealed that the groundwork for the new national honour has been laid, and the legal process to formalize the recognition will soon be underway. Once completed, both cultural icons will be officially conferred with the title.
“This will be a most well-deserved and long-overdue recognition of their legendary contributions to Jamaican culture and music. Both Miss Lou and Bob Marley stand as towering figures in the preservation and global elevation of Jamaica’s cultural heritage,” Holness said.
Both Miss Lou and Marley currently hold the Order of Merit, which grants them the title “The Honourable.” The new designation as National Icons reflects their extraordinary influence in shaping Jamaica’s cultural identity and global legacy.
Holness highlighted Miss Lou’s pioneering role in promoting Jamaican Patois and folk traditions, while Bob Marley’s music, with its messages of resistance and unity, continues to resonate globally.
“Their impact on the world stage is immeasurable, and this recognition honours not only their individual legacies but also the indomitable spirit of Jamaica,” Holness added.
Bob Marley and Miss Lou died in May 1981 and July 2006, respectively. The two are members of the Order of Merit, the third highest national honour.
The island currently has seven national heroes, all of whom were political activists, and in some way, linked to either slavery and colonialism or political independence. But according to the National Honors and Award Act of 1970, the only criteria for a Jamaican to be named a national hero is that they “at the time of his or her death was, a citizen of Jamaica and rendered to Jamaica service of a most distinguished nature.” The honor can also be awarded either posthumously or on the occasion of the recipient’s retirement from active public life.
An annual debate
The debate over whether icons like Miss Lou, Bob Marley, and even Usain Bolt should be named national heroes has persisted for years, especially after Barbados named pop star Rihanna a national hero in 2021.
Earlier this year, while attending the ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ premiere in Jamaica, the question was posed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness on whether or not Marley will ever get national hero status.
Holness answered by saying that recognition for iconic personalities is something being considered.
“We did put together a committee to look at it [naming Bob Marley as a national hero], and believe me, there were commissions before that, established a criteria for national hero. I think the conversation has so far evolved to having a category that identifies iconic personalities, people who have added great value to our countries. So there may be a designation. But, who knows, the conversation continues,” Holness said.
In March of this year, Jamaica’s leader of the opposition Mark Golding committed to making Bob Marley a national hero if the People’s National Party (PNP) forms the next government.
Golding said that Marley, a global icon, deserves to be Jamaica’s eighth national hero.
“One commitment that I have, which is in keeping with our seriousness about culture and the creative industries, when we form the next government, I commit to conferring the Order of National Hero on the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley for his service of a most distinguished nature in advancing Jamaican culture and his global impact as a liberating inspirational force for oppressed people across the world,” Golding said during a budget presentation.
Before then, in 2021, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris announced that he would be tabling a motion in the Upper House for Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Miss Lou and Usain Bolt to be named national heroes.
Making the case for the conferral, Senator Morris said that he believes that these four icons have all given distinguished service to the country across various fields.
Related reading: Diaspora Push for Bob Marley to be Named National Hero
