Rita Marley
THE EDITOR, Sir:
WE refer to the article written by Dawn Ritch in The Sunday Gleaner, "There are some benefits to slavery," dated December 16, 2001, where reference was made to Mrs. Rita Marley, O.D. (Nana Addobea Afua1) living arrangements and her consequent support of a neighbouring village in Ghana, West Africa.
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1).
This move by the wife of reggae king, the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, O.M., should not be deemed as a negative and unnecessary one.
Nana Rita Marley has always done - and continues to do - extensive charity-based works in Jamaica and all over the world. She does this under the auspices of The Bob Marley Foundation, The Rita Marley Foundation (which were both founded by her), and Unlimited Resources Giving Enlight-enment (URGE), which is spearheaded by her children Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
She also makes numerous personal monetary contributions to individuals and organisations throughout the island of Jamaica.
Lest we forget, Sister Rita's religious upbringing and strong faith as a Rastafarian definitely allow her dreams of repatriation to her African home, to come to reality.
The family of the Bob Marley Group of Companies extends an open invitation to your columnist Ms. Dawn Ritch, to utilise some of the investigative journalistic skills we hope have been learnt from her years of being in the business, to research and to discover some of the philanthropic deeds done by Nana Rita Marley, in Jamaica and the world.
In the past, Sister Rita and her family have tried to do their good deeds in as quiet and as private a manner as possible, but it seems that this approach may need to be changed in light of some of the sentiments being expressed by Ms. Ritch, and it seems, by many of her readers.
We trust that, after her research, Ms. Ritch will share her findings with her fans and the readership of The Sunday Gleaner.
"Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the life you are living? We know where we are going, we know where we are from." - Exodus.
I am, etc.
BARRINGTON LAING
Manager,
Bob Marley Foundation
