Lake is the number 8 candidate of the Windward Islands People’s Movement (WIPM). “I plan to focus during the election campaign, and in the Island Council, on Career and Skills Development for all Sabans, especially for our young people seeking meaningful jobs and new career opportunities,” said Lake.
The first-time candidate wants to set up a career development center, and an apprenticeship/job training program with a possible tax break incentive for participating companies.
“The Career and Skills Center would inform and guide individuals with regard to present and new job and career options in Saba. This can work in areas such as IT, telecommunications, construction, administration, and health. This program could also attract Sabans studying and living abroad to return home,” said Lake.
Lake is an Internet and computer technology specialist, and teaches at the Sacred Heart Primary School in Saba. “I also want to see the development of a working agreement between government and the private sector to provide internship opportunities for unemployed youth and young job seekers. A WIPM government would have to look at the feasibility of an agreement to secure tax deductions for companies that participate in the apprentice or internship program,” said Lake.
The leading Saban politician and WIPM principal, Will Johnson, introduced Lake’s candidacy to Saba and online publics on January 25. “We are proud indeed to have the grandson of my famous friend and mentor, Joseph H. Lake, Sr., on the WIPM party,” said Johnson. Sundiata Lake is also the great grandson of Saba’s late commissioner John Arthur Anslyn, said Johnson.
Cross-island candidacies are historically well tested in Caribbean politics but they are never without serious challenges. So Lake takes his connection to Saba a bit further. “I have been visiting Saba with my brothers and sister since I was a child, and lived with my uncle Jimmy Rogers. The people, families, and land of the ‘Unspoiled Queen’ have always been close to me,” said Sundiata Lake.
“My mother, Patricia, is Saban-born. My St. Maarten father, Joseph H. Lake, Jr., and my grandfather, José Lake, Sr. – a great friend of Will Johnson – have always embraced, written about, and defended Saba and her people in their newspapers as a sister nation of St. Maarten,” said Lake.
Sundiata Lake will not have an easy run at number 8 on the 9-member slate, headed by Roland Wilson. “I know it will be a challenge as a first time candidate. I decided to run for the Island Council Election and to voice the concerns of the people. I am working at being the people’s voice. I am ready to serve,” said Lake.
Lake, 39, has lived and worked in St. Martin, England, and the Netherlands, as a graphics designer and IT consultant. He recently took up teaching in Saba, where he lives with his wife and children. Lake has a Bachelor’s degree from Miami International University of Arts & Design.
There are two political parties contesting for the five Island Council seats in Saba’s March 18 election. The incumbent WIPM now holds four seats. The Saba Labour Party, headed in the 2015 election by Ishmael Levenston, holds one seat. There are two commissioners appointed to the territory’s executive branch by the winning party.
The population of Saba is approximately 1,991 people. According to Saba’s Lt. Governor Jonathan Johnson in The Daily Herald of February 3, about 1,000 people will be able to vote on March 18.