BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, 18th December 2025 – In an emotional second through the second day of the 2026 parliamentary finances debate, the Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister of Inventive Economic system and Tradition, led a solemn tribute to the late Janet Johnson, a revered determine in nationwide pageantry and tradition, following a second of silence noticed by your complete Home.
The minister’s tackle started by celebrating the colourful success of the current Carnival launch and the Republic Financial institution Proficient Teen present, which drew 1000’s.
His remarks turned emotional as he recalled celebrating the brand new Proficient Teen winner’s victory alongside her mom, Janet Johnson, solely to mourn her passing lower than a day later.
He then formally requested a second of silence for “the extraordinary Janet Johnson, who has given her life to service of pageantry, of tradition, and of creative improvement. She has given her total life to it.”
Sharing a private perspective, Minister Duggins recounted realizing Johnson for over twenty years, from his personal early days in leisure. He remembered her as a perpetually vibrant and supportive power throughout the cultural sector.
He remembered Johnson as a “bubbly, full of life spirit” who “exuded vibrance” and was “very supportive in so some ways.” In honouring her reminiscence, Minister Duggins inspired the nation to embody Johnson’s celebratory spirit. He instructed one of the best ways to pay tribute is to proceed fostering the colourful cultural life she devoted herself to, echoing the carnival sentiment she would have championed: to let the celebration play on.
“I need to encourage us as we honour her to proceed to rejoice as she did. Be as vibrant as she was,” Duggins urged his colleagues and the nation. “After I regarded on the video together with her on stage celebrating her daughter’s success, you noticed her in residing shade.”
The tribute highlighted the profound private connections throughout the nation’s cultural group and underscored Janet Johnson’s foundational position in nurturing creative expertise. Parliament’s collective pause served as a strong recognition of a life devoted to elevating St. Kitts and Nevis’s artistic spirit.
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