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A chronological account in words and images
By Tony Mathiot
The Seychelles which consists of some 115 islands and islets in the Indian Ocean were sighted by Arab navigators as far back as 851. In 1501, the Portuguese Explorer, Joao de Nova discovered the islands of Faquhar in 1502, another Portuguese Admiral, Vasco da Gama discovered the island now known as the ‘Admirantes.
In 1609, an English expedition arrived at Mahé and made the first recorded landing. In 1742, a French expedition landed at Mahé and visited some other inner islands which they named the Labourdonnais islands – in honour of Bertrand Francois Mahé de La Bourdonnais (1699-1753) Governor of Mauritius, after whom the main island of the Seychelles Mahé, was named.
In 1756, the French took possession of the Seychelles which they named so, in honour of Jean Moreau des Séchelles (1690-1960), Minister of Finance of King Louis XV.
In 1770, the first settlers arrived on the island of Ste Anne and in 1778 the fist establishment was created on Mahé. It was called L’Etablissement du Roi. Hundreds of slaves were brought to Mahé to work on coconut and cotton plantations. In 1794, the English captured the Seychelles and in compliance with the Treaty of Capitulation the French commandant, Jean Baptiste Queau de Quincy (1748-1827) remained until 1811 after which he was appointed as Juge de Paix. The Treaty of Paris 1814 ceded the islands of Seychelles and Mauritius. It was administered by a series of civil commissioners until when by Letters Patent of 31 August of 1903, Seychelles became a crown colony with a Governor, Ernest Bickham Sweet Escott (1857-1941), Executive and Legislative Councils.
1964
In 1939, the first political party was launched. It was called the Seychelles Tax Payers and Land Owners Association. In 1963, the Seychelles Island United Party was founded with the mission to “deal with the welfare of and take democratic action for higher standard of living for the People of Seychelles”.
Evidently, the early 1960’s would be the period of political awakening for the Seychellois people who were now ruled by their 15th governor.
On the 2nd February of 1964, a movement called the Seychelles Archipelago Group was launched to promote union amongst the people of Seychelles irrespective of colour, class or creed, with the motto ‘union makes strength’ However the national desire to consolidate the aspirations of the Seychellois People became unequivocally apparent three month later. …
Mr. France Albert René and Mr. Philibert Loiseau
1964-Mr. France Albert René returns to Seychelles- the next day he formed the SPUP
Fifty years ago, Seychelles was a British colony with a growing population of 44,000 inhabitants. The governor was Julian Edward George Asquith (1916-2011). At that time Seychelles earned its revenue from an agricultural economy, so hundreds of families earned their livelihood on coconut estates and cinnamon plantations.
The social injustice that had been created by the politics of colonialism during the preceding decades had resulted in much poverty among the general population. Many families lived in abject conditions. Many children could not go to school. There were beggars in the streets. There was malnutrition, impoverishment and destitution.
A young Seychellois lawyer named France Albert Rene (1935- ) dared to dream of changes. As a child, he had himself experienced and witnessed social hardship and inequity. His concern and empathy for the misfortune of the working class induced him to undertake a challenge….
On Tuesday 2nd June of 1964, France Albert Rene created the Seychelles Peoples United Party. The courage of his conviction and his steadfastness of purpose catapulted him to political prominence and defined his campaign to <eradicate from society all forms of discrimination, oppression and exploitation> Inhabitants of everywhere form Mahe, Praslin and La Digue rallied to his cause. The policy statement of the SPUP advocated Independence for Seychelles whilst the only other political party, the Seychelles Democratic Party campaigned to retain the colonial status of Seychelles. Since most of the wealthy landowners and merchants gathered under SDP’s banner, Albert Rene knew that he had to contend against daunting odds for
1966- The first commemoration of Labour Day in Seychelles- under the direction of the SPUP
majority support. His dedication and zeal was relentless. The revolting state of the livingconditions of the poor and the meager salaries of the laborers strengthened his resolve. On the 21st August of 1964, he formed the Transport and General Workers Union in a bid to protect workers’ rights. Later, other trade unions were created.
The SPUP held its first general meeting on Saturday 15th August and its first public meeting the following day on the 16th on Gordon Square (now known as Freedom Square). It was on that particular Sunday that the Seychellois nation actually began its liberation struggle. People suddenly realized that life in Seychelles could be better. After all, when they looked at the SPUP flag, they saw…a rising sun. Hope.
The next day, on Tuesday 17th August, the first issue of the SPUP newspaper THE PEOPLE came out. A month later, on the 3rd September, the first sit- down strike in Seychelles occurred when tracking station workers went on strike to protest against the hour employment policy. The strike ended on the 12th September when new terms of service as demanded by the Transport and General Workers Union were agreed. The year 1964 ended with a significant political victory for the SPUP when universal adult suffrage was granted on 23rd November.