By Amar Mehta | Sky News |
Barbadian singer and businesswoman Rihanna has been declared a national hero by the country’s prime minister.
The 33-year-old was awarded the honour by Mia Mottley during an event to celebrate the island nation becoming a republic.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we therefore present to you the designee for national hero for Barbados, ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty,” the PM said to a jubilant crowd in the capital, Bridgetown.
“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation by your works, by your actions.”
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, before moving to the United States after she was discovered by New York-based music producer Evan Rogers.
She has since gone on to become one of the biggest artists in the world, as well as starring in movies including Battleship and Ocean’s 8, and launching her own fashion brand, Fenty, in 2018.
Since 2018, Rihanna has had the honorary title of Ambassador for Culture and Youth in Barbados.
In 2008, former prime minister David Thompson declared 22 February “Rihanna Day” – and although it is not a bank holiday, Barbadians celebrate it every year.
The latest honour was awarded to the star from her homeland as it celebrated becoming a republic – 55 years after gaining independence from the UK.
In a message to the people of the Caribbean island, the Queen sent her “good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future” and emphasised the importance of the “continuation of the friendship” with the UK as she ceased to be their monarch.
Prince Charles was invited to speak at the transition ceremony formalising the move.
Speaking in front of a crowd in National Heroes Square in Bridgetown, once known as Trafalgar Square, he said: “From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our histories, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude.
“Emancipation, self-government and independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.”
Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the island’s first-ever president.
Am I the only one looking at her boobs bouncing like a tennis ball as she was walking
Chant down Babylon
Lloyd Chigodora Babylon is Iraq not Barbados
Kuno we wait until you are dead
Adio AddieTee Dinika death is a key component of the inclusion criteria
Kkk kuita hero yechitunha.
Adio AddieTee Dinika thought we kill you first….😞
Muropa Clyde B oh well, someitimes
Is she dead?
Trueman Ngwaru Good one. Says a lot about our idea of hero in Zimbabwe.
Ben Caetano I’m a zimbabwean bro so is the author. Kkkkkkkkkk so we were taught that heroes are dead people mostly ZANU pf
Trueman Ngwaru hahaha
Admin ufini kubhala good english, this declared national lapa eZimbabwe sizokufaka enational heroes cementry, kanti why wena ubhale so?
Joel Mutekwa
Akafa here???
She looks like shes demon possessed to me
Kwedu zvingoitwa kana wafa, uchimupenyu hakuna kkkkk
KKKK Living national hero
Those who are asking kut akafa here …what is a national hero ….kkkk I know kwenyu munozongoziva chete afa
Tinashe Mapfeka kkkkkk only in zimbabwa kunonz kana munhu afa anenge ave national hero
Chimwe chirungu chedzimwe nyika chinotirovesa nehama muno munyika yedu ,,,
I didnt know Rihanna was a member of Zanu PF. Anyways R.I.P When did she die?
Kkkkkkkk
Zvavo havo kunyika yokwavo vane magamba mapenyu…
Kwedu ndiko kunonzi, Wafa wanaka🤣
For a moment there I thought she had died, 🤭, so used of people being awarded heroes status after the… https://t.co/38UxIwcG0P
Zita rake rekuhondo anonz Gambaibenyu
Reason Marufu 🤣🤣 musazotidai Sooo munotiuraya🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kkkkk
Reason Marufu amana matomupa zita rehondo kare
Delta Kim Dedza ehe haaa hant igamba kkkk
I’d say it’s more of a treasure. Heros are not always martyrs…
Was declared by zanu pf revolutionary party and politbiro and will laid to rest at national shrine on Saturday morning
Ufe nini?
But paShuwa wese muZimba chatanga kuuya mupfungwa kuzvibvunza kuti asi afa kkk National hero todzoka totya ka
zvaane how many days asi izvi nhai imi