- WINSTON SILL PHOTOS/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
From left: Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva, Argentine Ambassador José Pino and Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva at Kenny Benjamin's birthday party.
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
IN A society where the un-cool seems to be the one being lauded every day for achievements built on dubious foundations; where role models are few and far between, it is really and sometimes quite a bit of a task to identify those who have not earned their keep and reputation the old fashion way - by toiling when their companions slept - and lauding and/or celebrating them in the process., as against, 'bigging-up' those of suspect credentials, and even more suspect achievements!
It is seemingly no longer fashionable to want to work and build on a foundation that would yield that which 'we' aspire. It is the culture of instant gratification and consequentially, the fact that the 'over-night success' stories being celebrated now all have their genesis in seedlings planted some 20-odd years ago, that is completely lost on those who need to learn the virtues of patience, diligence and perseverance. Alas, we continue to wallow in the mire!
It's all not doom and gloom as there are those who took command of their own personal circumstances and not only rose above the fray, but today, shine like beacons, illuminating the darkened social and cultural landscape, and thus offers hope for the state of our people.
One such beacon shining brightly in today's mire of mediocrity and stalemated atmosphere of berating those who would put their shoulder to the wheel is Kenneth Benjamin, founder and chair of the Guardsman group of companies.
NATIVE OF INDIA
A native of India, Benjamin has made Kingston, Jamaica his home for just about the last three decades or so, and in the process, built a security empire that now boasts a six-thousand employee base here in Jamaica, and in more recent years, has expanded their services to cover some other Caribbean territories.
To be sure, Kenny Benjamin is lauded today and is much celebrated, but no overnight success here; just the solid foundation laid some two decades ago now coming into their own and bearing the fruits for which he is now being acknowledged and celebrated!
A do-gooder at heart, Benjamin is the father of many a unheralded philanthropic act, as well as providing a solid support structure for many friends and colleagues and their extended families, and through their empowerment, has earned their respect as well as of those looking on. Gracious to a fault, he looks to no greener pasture anywhere and is a wholly and devoutly committed Jamaican.
He does, however, enjoy a good party, and parties with the best of them! Known for his fab parties and partying, what better time to party, than at your own birthday!
Well, last Friday, it was Kenny Benjamin's turn to party, because it was his birthday, and even he would not have it any other way!
And so it was that the invitations went out a few weeks ago, reminding friends, clients and acquaintances of the partying date for the Cancerian, and did they attend!
Hosted at his Guardsman group corporate headquarters along Old Hope Road, the party was a charmer! Guardsman group in-house decorator, Cindy Breakspeare, did honours and as the Lily that is the Guardsman group, needed no gilding, the emphasis was that of maximising the leisure space for those guesting.
FLAWLESS EFFECT
Well, my daahlings, that was done and to flawless effect as indeed, with the deck and out-lying courtyard of the property done in café-style seating and yards and yard of white cotton fabric streaming strategically, it was clear the mood was not one of standing on ceremony here. Simply put, it was not that kinda party! Airs was not required nor welcomed, but a sense of chic and elan were and they were there in fabulous abundance!
The evening began lazily enough and progressed like that with some guests laa-de-dahing around the luxuriant property, others kissey-pooing, and ooh-ing and aah-ing in the wake of each other's resplendence, while some even hung out by the fabulous Koi pond discussing the plusses of the upcoming Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Sunsplash festivals in St James and St. Ann respectively.
Truth is, up until then, the music was fabulous for listening, but not enough to make you want to get up and dance! Well, all that changed when musical selector, Steve Smith, started spinning some Latin rhythms and then everybody, or most everybody, 'jus-bruk-wey to the hot sounds, of Latin and Central America!
We are talking Caliente here! Hot like that and then some! But the hottest flavour of the party was without a doubt the sensational chocolate birthday cake! And to call it a birthday cake is really to do an awful injustice to what was truly one sensationally tasting creation!
And then there were the guests! A feast of the fabulous, with among those out were his children, Nicholas and Brooke Benjamin, in from Canada from College; their mom and his former wife, the tres-fab Suzie Benjamin; his companion, the lovely Aloima Suarez; brother-in-law, MP and Junior Minister Dr. Hykeham McNeill and his stunning wife and doyenne of haute-glamour Sheila Benjamin-McNeill; Ron Brown and his lovely wife, GM of the Guardsman group, Mrs. Valerie Jugging-Brown; retired PNP president and former prime minister, The Most Hon. PJ Patterson; Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and Sandra Phillips; Opposition Leader, Bruce Golding; former Health Minister, MP John and Urla Junor; Opposition MP Audley Shaw; Indian High Commissioner, HE Kailash Agrawal; Canadian High Commissioner, HE Claudio Valle and his fab wife Mrs. Louise Valle; German Ambassador, HE Volker Schlegel; Spanish Ambassador HE Jesus Silva; Chilean Ambassador, HE Alfanso Silva and his fabulous daughter, Natalia Silva.
Argentenian ambassador HE Mario Jose Pino; wife of the Belgian ambassador, Joaquim Portacarero, Myriam Portacarero; Honorary Consul of Iceland, Robert MacMillan; the elegant Jennifer Lim; Dr. Henry Lowe; Howard Hamilton; the gorgeous Sophia MaxBrown; Richard Lake and the fabulous Lisa Hanna; Laurie and Ruth Hussey; Robi Suboki; Anthony Harris and his fab wife Angelie Harris and their fabulous daughter, Christel Harris; Tanny Shirley; the charming Carol Charlton; Aubyn and Tamara Hill; the lovely Betty-May Ashley; NCB's Patrick Hylton; Mr. and Mrs. William Craig; Janet Farrow and her fab daughter, Gabrielle; Charles and Brunetta Matthews; Ulle Bangerter; Terry Shoucair; James and Marina Gill; David Reavely and his lovely wife, Dianne Reavely; Alex Dropinski and belle Dr. Saphire Longmore; Howard McIntosh.
TV host and dancehall queen emeritus, Carlene Smith; Charles Campbell; the lovely Kayleigh Malcolmson; Wayne Sinclair; Nadine Thomas; Nick McAdam; Robert Haughton; the fab Valerie Smith of Pulse; Howard Barton and wife, Nancy Kalb-Barton, visiting from N.Y.; the fabulously hot Stacy Moses; cricketer and publisher, Ricardo Powell and wife, Alicia John-Powell, in from Trinidad; and the lovely Audrey Miller; plus several scores more, making it a fabulous do!
