How well I remember 1955 when a Labour Government under the leadership of Dom Mintoff opened up the Secondary and Technical Schools. From outdated rooms in private houses to modern purpose built ones with all the required facilities of that time and era.
How the school books were provided free when previously families had to save monies to buy books etc for their children, what a relief this was for one and all. In Gozo the first 100 students that passed the exams were posted to the Lyceum whilst the second hundred were posted to the Technical School.
This was my first introduction to Mintoff’s policy, a policy which continued to gather momentum as years passed by. First from the General Workers Union in which I was very active and later from the Labour Party.
Independence Day
The Independence Day achieved by the then Prime Minister Dr. George Borg Oliver, a person whom I respected very much, was a step in the right direction, but in my view and also many other Labour supporters, it was not enough to state that our Islands were really Independent. How can one be totally Independent when Finances, Telecommunications, Air and Sea, Foreign Affairs, Air &and Sea Ports, Lands/Facilities were still in the hands of our Colonial Masters.
This fight was continued by the Labour Party under the Leadership of Dom Mintoff. It wasn’t achieved only by Mintoff, but also by the Elected Members, Party Leaders and Supporters. If this hadn’t been a total Movement then this “Republic Day” wouldn’t have been possible.
The 31st of March Day – Freedom Day
The 31st of March Day of 1979 was also the inauguration event introducing the vessel “Ghawdex” to service. It was a rough, windy day. The “Ghawdex” left Gozo Mgarr Harbour in the afternoon with hundreds of Gozitans, including many children. This was a nice and pleasant voyage.
As soon as the Ghawdex entered Cospicua, fireworks were set off and sirens were sounded, providing the Gozitans with a masterful and pleasant welcome.
The weather continued to deteriorate and the wind was getting rougher and stronger as time went by, but the Gozitans continued to participate in this so important event and none of them wanted to leave.
Malta and Gozo, which for time immemorial had been conquered, was finally becoming it’s own master, we now held the reins of our own destiny.
No more of the masters and servants mentality, we Maltese and Gozitans would be the ones to decide our own way of life and future.
The Ceremony
Thousand attended the wonderful Ceremony. The sailor taking down the British Flag and the dry dock worker lifting the Maltese Flag in its rightful place. The band, the people present saw and approved when Prime Minister Dom Mintoff and the General Workers Union Secretary Mr George Agius went up the rough path to light the Torch representing the Light for our Freedom.
The Fireworks – Bands and atmosphere were electric to one and all.
After all events were finished it was time to return home for the weary Gozitans.
The Return Home
Not much attention was or is still given to the Gozitans returning back home. As mentioned the wind and weather deteriorated and got so rough that the Irish Sea Captain of the Ghawdex decided not to make the journey back to Gozo.
Gozitans, tired after many hours since leaving Gozo and hungry, bought all the food available at the Ferry’s Canteen. Hours passed and tempers started fraying, a few hotheads went to the Captain’s Area and threatened him physically. The Captain eventually succumbed to these threats and took the Ghawdex out to sea.
The Sea was so rough, that others do say, that the Captain intentionally or otherwise took the Ferry Ship almost to Sicily and back to Malta. Most of the passengers were not only distressed but also very seasick, the canteen area had to be cleaned from the vomit and cleaners were brought in to do this job.
No food or coffee was left in the canteen. I remember phoning Mr George Borg to order these necessities to be made available, which was done.
The Gozitans wanted to return home and this event clearly illustrates the “Connectivity Issue” between the Islands. One simply cannot imagine the crises a Gozitan finds him/herself in when not being able to return home.
In years past when I was still about 4 or 5 years old, I do remember the funeral of those that drowned at Hondoq Ir-Rummien area, these poor people also wanted nothing else but to get home.
Private Company Offer
The Zammit Bros Company offered to make a special trip from Cirkewwa to Mgarr, Gozo, to the stranded passengers by the Vessel “Melitaland.”
That passage went smoothly in the afternoon with no problems at all, finally a day after the Gozitans left they were back in Gozo and home.
Gozo still needs special attention, rules and regulations which can be suitable in some places may not be good for Gozo. Although at present Gozo enjoys the representation of 6 Members of Parliament, out of which 3 are Ministers, Gozo still lacks effective leadership as a whole.
What does Independence of our Islands mean for Gozo and to Gozitans? Decisions of all kinds are still taken by people foreign to Gozitan mentality and habits, Civil Servants who say they know Gozo and the Gozitans, but in reality go by their own mentality and decision making.
Yes we have achieved Independence of and for our Islands, but much more attention is needed and required when such officials deal with and decide about Gozitan affairs.
For example, the Gozitan Mayor’s collective stance against overbuilding in Gozo is admirable and this needs to be urgently followed up by our Parliamentarians.
I am writing about this unique event now as no attention was ever given in any newspaper at the time.
Lino DeBono,
Gozo.