Fig 5 Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam being sworn in as the Governor-General in
December 1983 at State House, Le Reduit
(Source: GIS)
On 12 March 1968, Mauritius gained independence under his leadership. Against expectations of violence and division, independence was achieved in peace. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam’s cabinets reflected the island’s diversity, and his inclusive leadership prevented division at a critical moment, demonstrating that negotiated representation was stronger than imposed dominance. He famously warned, “We cannot build a nation on fear and domination.” This conviction guided him throughout his political career and gave Mauritius a democratic culture rare among postcolonial African states.
Between March 1968 and June 1982, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam served as the country’s first prime minister. From December 1983 until his death in December 1985, he served as the country’s fifth Governor-General. His decision even at the ripe old age of 83 to continue serving his country marked him not just as the Father of the Nation, but as a true guardian of democracy, committed to the principle that power must serve the people.