Castries South East has emerged as a seat to watch in the lead-up to Saint Lucia’s general election, with two candidates offering sharply different visions for the future. The Saint Lucia Labour Party’s (SLP) new candidate, Lisa C. Jawahir, is focusing on sustainability, and former MP Guy Joseph of the United Workers Party (UWP) on practicality.
Lisa Jawahir: A New Face, Broader Vision
Lisa Jawahir, who was officially launched as the Labour Party’s candidate on September 21, is seeking to succeed outgoing MP Joachim Henry. Jawahir has outlined a development agenda aimed at “unlocking the constituency’s full potential” she said at her launch.
Her plans include upgrading sporting facilities, promoting agribusiness and positioning the area as a hub for eco-tourism. She described Castries South East as the “gateway” of the nation and urged residents to believe in the promise of progress under Labour’s leadership.
Jawahir, who grew up in Forestière, has already earned national and regional recognition. According to the Government of Saint Lucia, she was recently elected vice president of ParlAmericas Caribbean’s Gender Equality Network, becoming the first parliamentarian from the OECS to hold the post. Known for her focus on inclusivity and sustainability, she has pledged to continue advancing community-centred initiatives and climate-conscious development.
Guy Joseph: A Return to Practical Projects
Joseph, a three-term former MP and long-standing figure in the constituency, has based his campaign on community-based projects he believes will have an immediate impact. According to the Saint Lucia Daily Post, Joseph argued that his focus is on “practical” development and tangible economic benefits for the people of Castries South East.
“We were buying five acres of land next to the two Bexon playing fields to create a track for the dirt bikes using the river banks,” he said.
Joseph also promised community-centred events to spur local business, believing such activities would generate real opportunities for local businesses and residents. “For my supporters in Marc, we are going to do a fresh meat festival,” he said.
Born in 1966, Guy Joseph’s deep roots in the area are well known. According to uwpstlucia.com, before entering politics, he built a successful career as an entrepreneur and later earned degrees in Business Management. During his parliamentary tenure from 2006 to 2021, he spearheaded major infrastructure works, including the Morne Liberty and Bexon/Odsan Parks, footpaths, drains and roads across communities, and the Forestière Housing Development, which provided affordable housing for residents.
Castries South East: Place of Promise, Pressure
Castries South East is one of the largest constituencies within the Castries District which covers communities including Fort Charlotte, Morne Fortune East, Goodlands East, Forestière, Marc, Bexon East, Crown Lands, Sarot South and Barre d’Isle South. According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, it has 16 140 residents across 6 011 households, a mix of rural and semi-urban settlements connected by winding hillside roads and river valleys.
Despite its potential, the constituency continues to grapple with a range of challenges. Drainage and flooding remain recurring issues, particularly in Bexon and Marc. According to Govt.lc, a 2018 drainage improvement programme and an EC$6 million slope stabilisation project were implemented under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) to reduce the impacts of climate change. Official World Bank reports confirm that these drainage and slope works were completed by mid-2023, though maintenance and performance during heavy rainfall remain concerns.
What the People Are Saying
Residents say that while some progress has been made, pressing issues persist. “Every day, residents travel on pothole-filled roads that make commuting difficult and damage vehicles,” a 26-year-old registered voter told St. Lucia Times. “It’s not just inconvenient. It’s unsafe, and it’s unacceptable.”
He added that many young people lack opportunities to develop their skills, and the community “needs proper facilities, youth centres, sporting grounds and community programmes”.
A 20-year-old first-time voter said that while physical infrastructure has improved, the community now needs activities to sustain it.
“In Castries South East, what we desperately need is programmes for young people,” he said. “We have received a lot of physical infrastructure… but what we need at this point is the programmes to go alongside these infrastructures.”
Other residents also noted the deplorable condition of roads, limited housing assistance, and although it has not occurred in a while, flooding in Bexon during heavy rain still occurs. Under Joachim Henry’s tenure, two community centres were constructed, but residents say more needs to be done to improve living conditions and ensure the area’s full potential is realised.
Two Paths, One Future
As the election approaches, the debate in Castries South East has evolved into a choice between two competing visions: Joseph’s call for community-driven economic projects and Jawahir’s push for sustainable development and eco-tourism goals.
