MR RAMDUTHSINGH JADDOO

Hon. Prime Minister!

Madam Speaker, it is with deep regret that we learnt of the demise of Mr Ramduthsingh Jaddoo, more popularly known as Ramduth Jaddoo, former Member of Parliament, on Monday 28 April 2025 at the age of 87. Born on 31 December 1937 in Dagotière, Mr Ramduth Jaddoo completed his primary schooling at St Enfant Jesus RCA. He then attended New Eton College and Universal College for his secondary education and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of London. Mr Jaddoo started his professional career in 1957 as a Primary School Teacher. In 1962, he joined Mauritius Times as a journalist and in 1970, he served as Rector of the Eden College. On the political front, Mr Jaddoo contested the 1976 general elections for the Legislative Assembly under the banner of the Movement Militant Mauricien in Constituency No. 10, Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East. He was then returned as first member. In April 1977, he was elected Municipal Councillor and subsequently, became Mayor of the town of Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, a position he held until 22 December 1978. He stood for the 1982 general elections for the Legislative Assembly in the same constituency, that is, No. 10 under the banner of the alliance MMM/PSM and was returned as second member. After the election, Mr Jaddoo was appointed Minister of Education, a portfolio which he held until March 1983. He was then appointed Ambassador of Mauritius to France from 1983 to 1987. In August 1987, he stood for the general elections in Constituency No.13, Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac under the banner of Alliance MSM-Mauritius Labour Party, and he was returned as second member. In September 1987, he became Minister of Works, a portfolio which he held until the dissolution of Parliament in August 1991. He contested the 1991 general elections in the same constituency, No.10, under the banner of Alliance MSM/MMM and he was returned as first member. He was reappointed Minister of Works, a portfolio which he held until 1992. I must add, Madam Speaker, I was the Leader of the Opposition from 1991 to 1995, and I remember him as being very courteous towards the Opposition and always answering questions that we asked and did not dilly-dally with long answers as we had become used to afterwards. Madam Speaker, Mr Jaddoo was thereafter assigned the portfolio of Minister of Manpower Resources, and Vocational Training and Technical Training and served in that position until November 1994. He then served as Minister of External Affairs until November 1995. Madam Speaker, Mr Jaddoo’s political acumen was acknowledged by the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, when he was tasked to be in a very select group of mediators to unravel the political turmoil in Burundi in 1995. He also played an instrumental role in the adhesion of Mauritius to the Southern African Development Community, that is, SADC. Madam Speaker, Mr Jaddoo was one of the founders of the Mauritius Economic Society, which was set up in 1962 with a vision of preparing the youth to face post- independence challenges. He remained until recently an active member of that Society. He was also the author of the book ‘Gaining a Competitive Edge’. He was very active in the Global Rainbow Foundation, an association which supports the disabled through education and training. Madam Speaker, may I now kindly request you to direct the Acting Clerk to convey the deep condolences of the Assembly to Mrs Jaddoo and the bereaved family. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, hon. Deputy Prime Minister!

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I join with what the hon. Prime Minister has said. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Leader of the Opposition! The Leader of the Opposition (Mr G. Lesjongard): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Opposition, I fully associate myself to the tribute paid by the hon. Prime Minister to late Ramduthsingh Jaddoo. Madam Speaker, may I kindly request you to direct the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly to convey our deep condolences to the bereaved family. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Leader of the Opposition. Hon. Members, I associate myself with this tribute paid to the memory of late Ramduthsingh Jaddoo, former Member of Parliament, by the hon. Prime Minister, the hon. Deputy Prime Minister, and the hon. Leader of the Opposition. I have known, of course, late Ramduthsingh Jaddoo personally in the various capacities mentioned by the hon. Prime Minister, and I, therefore, direct the Acting Clerk to convey my personal deep condolences as well as those of the Assembly to the bereaved family. Thank you. FCC ACT – PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE – COMPOSITION Hon. Members, I have an announcement to make in regard to the Parliamentary Committee set up for the monitoring of the Financial Crimes Commission. Pursuing to Section 129(2) of the Financial Crimes Commission Act, Dr. the hon. Prime Minister designated the following hon. Members to serve on the Parliamentary Committee – (i) Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance; (ii) Hon. Chitraduthsing Lukeeram; (iii) Hon. Chetan Anand Baboolall; (iv) Hon. Ms Marie Roxana Collet, and (v) Hon. Dr. Ms Babita Thannoo. I also have to inform that pursuant to the same provisions of the Financial Crimes Commission Act, the hon. Leader of the Opposition has designated himself and the following hon. Members to serve on the said Committee – (i) Hon. Adrien Charles Duval, Opposition Whip, and (ii) Hon. Jean Patrice France Quirin.

(Interruptions)

This is according to law, hon. Members. Moreover, pursuant to section 129(3) of the Financial Crimes Commission Act, Dr. the hon. Prime Minister has designated hon. Dhaneshwar Damry to act as Chairperson of the said Committee. Thank you.