At a commemorative gathering held on Monday evening to honor what would have been the 80th birthday of Desi Bouterse, President Jennifer Simons, chairperson of the NDP, spoke candidly about the solitude and responsibility that leadership entails. ‘There are storms in which I have no power, because they are greater than I am,’ she remarked. ‘Yet, we must trust each other to do the best we can from the positions we hold.’
Simons described Bouterse’s life as ‘complete, yet meaningful to many,’ praising his perseverance despite the adversities he faced. ‘He meant something to everyone in Suriname—though not the same thing to everyone. He was controversial, yet deeply beloved. The place he stood was a lonely one. No matter how many people surrounded him—it was a solitary position. And he endured it for decades. Respect.’
The president acknowledged that she, too, experiences similar solitude in her current role when making difficult decisions. According to Simons, mutual trust is essential, both within the party and the nation. ‘If we do not collaborate—within the party and the country—we will not succeed. But if we stand together with a shared goal, Suriname will become the remarkable country we all know it can be.’
Simons referenced Bouterse’s own words as an example of his life philosophy: ‘When you sleep, I do not. And when you do not sleep, I sleep.’ In this, she recognized the burden of leadership but also the dedication to a greater purpose. ‘The life he led was not easy. Yet, he persevered, even in his solitude. That requires courage and trust.’