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The Bahamas 2014: A Year in Review with Nathaniel Lewis
Dec 31, 2014 - 3:10:45 PM

Nathaniel Lewis of Grand Bahama feels that Her Excellency, Dame Marguerite Pindling is the most inspirational / influential person of 2014.

TheBahamasWeekly.com has once again selected Bahamians to canvas their opinions on highlights of The Bahamas over the year 2014, as well as ask about the direction of the country. Their comments will be shared over the coming weeks.

Through this exchange we hope to also highlight Bahamians in our community, and share their personal triumphs, that may or may not have made the news.

Here is the opinion of Nathaniel Lewis:

1) What event do you feel was the most important for The Bahamas in 2014?

By far, the passage of the Gaming Act was the most important event for The Bahamas in 2014 and in my view, it is to date, the most profound Act of Parliament since 1973. It symbolically ushered in a new era of progressivism in The Bahamas. For some it was simply about the act of gaming, but for many Bahamians it was about far, far more and ran much, much deeper. This was about human rights, social justice and equality. More so, this is the first time since the Pindling era, we’ve had a government that stood up to the extreme conservative/religious elite in this country, put their foot down and said doing what is right for the country is more important than pandering to a few self-serving clergymen and a selfish minority. This Act was about the turning of the tides and the changing of the guards; not only in our politics, but in our society and way of life. Gaming is just the beginning of what is to come. The reason I deem this Act the most profound, to date, is because should the hands of time allow, 100 years from now in the year 2114, this would have been the Act that changed not only the way the Government deals with certain sectors of our society, but it will be hailed as the Act that cracked the glass and opened the gate for the era of modern, forward-thinking laws.

2) Who passed away this year that you feel will be 'most missed' and why?

Every single life lost to violence. It seems with each passing day and each life lost, our society becomes more impassive. Their lives must never be forgotten nor must we ever lose our passion to work together to find solutions.


3) Who was the 'most inspirational / influential Bahamian' in 2014 and why?

Her Excellency, Dame Marguerite Pindling. The day she was sworn in was a joyous and historic day for our country and our people, and one of celebration and inspiration; not only because the amazing woman that our new Governor General is, but also for what she represents. She's a champion for majority rule, the loving and devoted wife of our nation's first Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Sir. Lynden O. Pindling and a noted philanthropist. Above all, her entire life is a testament to all Bahamians, especially our youth - that no where you come from or what your social status may be, with a heart that loves your fellow man and country and an attitude of hard work and service, the possibilities for your life are endless, even that of ascending to the highest office in the land.


4) What were some of the hottest topics for The Bahamas in 2014?

- Gaming Reform
- Immigration
- The implementation of VAT in 2015
- Women’s rights and Gender equality
- National Security
- Tourism in The Bahamas with relation the upcoming easing of US embargo with Cuba

5) What was the toughest problem faced in 2014. How do we find solutions to correcting it in 2015?

Crime – There’s so much to be said on this topic, to limit it to a single paragraph and I’m currently working on an essay to fully express my thoughts. I will say however crime in and of itself is not a “problem” but a “symptom” of much larger problems we face in The Bahamian society, inclusive of but not limited too – a struggling economy and income inequality, lack of proper social development, failed parenting and broken homes, lack of proper societal safety nets, prohibition in the 21st century, religion without common sense and a long-overdue overhaul of the penal code.


6) Is there an 'unsung hero' you feel should be recognized from 2014 or prior? If so, who and why?

Our very own 2014 Bahamian ICON Award for Health winner – Olivia Curry. For months now, Olivia has told me non-stop about the Grand Bahama Childhood Asthma Management Project and each time she does - I hear and feel her sincerity and passion for these children and their families. She is a silent champion that never asks for recognition, she simply serves. She is an incredible woman with a very amazing spirit and full heart and most deserving to be honored and celebrated for the life-changing work that she does, and the impact on so many lives she continues to touch in the Grand Bahamian community.


7) Do you have a personal highlight from 2014?

I was actually in a police station asking for directions in Nassau during the live broadcast of the passing of the gaming bill. After Speaker Kendal Major announced the results, I looked over to the officer, smiled and said “I guess y'all can no longer arrest these innocent persons.” The officer smiled back at me and said “We were never really interested in doing so.” It was a true sign of how much we’ve progressed and how mature our nation has become.

Nathaniel Prince Lewis is a Bahamian film producer actor, screenwriter, social-entrepreneur and author born October 22nd, 1989 in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas. In summer of 2014, he launched the very first Grand Bahamaian brand of wine called Nahtanýel Wines. Today, Nathaniel serves as Founder and CEO of the leading Bahamian film studio, Prince Lewis Projects which finances, develops, produces and distributes short and feature motion pictures. In his spare time, he enjoys theatre, traveling, nightlife and public speaking.


More:
The Bahamas 2014: A Year in Review with Terneille Burrows
The Bahamas 2014: A Year in Review with Youri Kemp

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