De Fosto: Jack’s one of the good few

De Fosto: Jack’s one of the good few
*By JOELINE THOMAS*
THE Original De Fosto Himself threatened a hunger strike to protest his sacking by government from the official contingent accompanying Trinidad and Tobago to the World Cup finals. But FIFA Vice-President, Jack Warner saved the day for the calypsonian, awarding him a ticket to Germany, passes to the matches and spending money. This covered De Fosto’s 19-year-old manager LaToya Callender, while, for good measure, the United National Congress deputy political leader chipped in a $6,000 bonus to help De Fosto pay off some outstanding bills. Warner said De Fosto and Callender of Morvant, Laventille, would not have to pay for meals, transportation and hotel accommodations while in Germany. “De Fosto came from the orphanage and has accomplished so much for local culture,” he said of the man who wrote one of the songs in tribute of Trinidad and Tobago’s historic qualification for the World Cup finals, titled Soca Warriors Coming.
“This will show people out there, no matter where you came from or what lifestyle you grew up in, people must be credited for their accomplishments.” Warner became aware of De Fosto’s predicament last Wednesday morning while listening a local talk show on radio. “The talk show host explained De Fosto’s position and Warner promptly offered his services to the calypso veteran.”	JACK WARNER (left) presents tickets to The Original De Fosto Himself (centre) and his manager, LATOYA CALLENDER.
De Fosto (real name Winston Scarborough, who has been a calypso icon for a number of years) staged a one-man protest against what he called “Cultural Discrimination” on the Brian Lara Promenade last Wednesday morning. “On numerous occasions, I would rush to the honourable Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams and beg her to give me a helping hand,” said De Fosto. “Organise a little job for me, help me with my studio recording. “My rent is long overdue, Housing Development Company (HDC) planning to evict me soon. Please help.” He said the minister usually promises “the moon and stars” yet never really keeps her word. Apart from his financial problems De Fosto was also blanked a ticket to be among the 100-plus cultural group sent by government to attend the World Cup finals in Germany. The cultural icon was so distraught that he broke down in tears during his telephone interview on radio. “This is not about the tickets to go to Germany; it is about cultural discrimination,” he said. “Maybe I was blanked because I sang positively about Jack Warner in my song entitled Soca Warriors Coming, for Carnival this year.” He described Jack Warner as one of the few good people in Trinidad today due to his brisk response to the calypso-nian’s plight.

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