Seychelles Life: an important announcement

By Lewis Betsy

Hello everyone, I would like to announce changes to my website, Seychelles Life, that will take effect from the end of June.

We are taking a sabbatical for a short period and after that date will not be publishing or updating our stories.

The reason is one of necessity: For some years now I have been wanting to complete work on a book about my life and the Seychelles. Due to the demands of the website and other commitments, this has not been possible and consequently the project has been on hold.

I think now is the correct time to amend that.

The book project is dear to my heart and will detail my experiences and events in Seychelles and the UK over my past 73 years as well as my hopes and aspirations for the future. I want it to be as accurate as possible – and that takes time.

Consequently, some of you may hear from me at some stage for requests and/or confirmation on certain facts and details.

Yet, please be reassured that Seychelles Life will return.

There is much happening in Seychelles and my mission to campaign for reconciliation and unity remains undimmed.

Seychelles Life was established to reflect our community throughout the islands in all its many forms.

We reported on politics, tourism, sport, business, but above all aimed to capture the vibrancy and positive nature of the Seychellois people at home and abroad.

I love my homeland. The website was for the people and, because of that, all about people.

With the elections coming up in 2025, and the many issues that defined, and indeed damned, past governments still in evidence today, there will be much to report.

The future of democracy and harmony in our islands is at stake. The Ramkalawan government has a mountain to climb in dealing with among other things justice for the victims of the 1977 coup. The Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission was set up to handle this key issue and the outcome as I write is far from clear.

There are other problems: the sheer hostility of our political life, the national drugs scandal, corruption, government inefficiency, our relationships with other nations, the incompetence of some administrative departments. Yes, the list can go on.
I gather the General Election will take place around November 2025 with President Ramkalawan taking his mandate to completion.

We have seen in the past elections that there have been lots of bargaining going on among the politicians with promises and all sorts of offers. This is taking place right now.

The talk of the town is also that the LDS government is losing popularity and, who knows, President Ramkalawan might call the election early.

We will see.

This time it is going to be a strong battle between the two giant political parties, LDS and US.

Already we have seen smaller political parties closed down and leaders changed and I am sure there will be a lot more of the same to come.

On Sunday 27th May, United Seychelles has organised a rally. It will be interesting to see the outcome.

Meanwhile, my mission in the coming years, as in the past, will be to continue to secure peace and fairness, democracy and respect in Seychelles. We have been through a lot together. We must now ensure the best possible future for our children and their children.

For now, Seychelles Life will observe and hold its tongue, but we will be back soon to comment on the key election issues of 2025.

The website will be geared, as before, to report on what is happening in our beloved islands. Remember, we will always be there for you.