CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – I heard he was an author and a poet, and while admitting that he was flattered by the accolade, Hanzel Manners quickly illuminated my darkness by explaining that his major contributions to the Nevis society were very much in the business field.
“I think it is correct to say that I am several things. The author/poet thing is really just peripheral.”
Modest words from the man who is credited with writing the words of the Charlestown Secondary School Song Industria et Virtute; the words and music to the folk song Nevis Lovely Nevis; and the book Bamboo Shay: A Collection of Short Stories of Nevis, among other works.
But then I learned of the accomplishments in other areas of his life and I think that he may indeed have a point.
Hanzel Fitzroy Manners was born in Hull Ground, Gingerland, Nevis in 1944. He received his early education at the Gingerland Boys’ School, the Gingerland Senior School, the Charlestown Secondary School and, since there were no sixth form schools in Nevis, the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammar School.
He started his working life as a teacher at the New River Primary School in 1964, and two years later went off to the Leeward Islands Teachers Training College in Antigua.
Manners returned to Nevis in 1968, but since he had never planned to be a teacher all his life he was soon writing the University of the West Indies scholarship examination. He won a scholarship in 1969 and went on to study Economics and History. Among his peers at the Cave Hill campus were Premier, the Hon. Joseph Parry and former Premier, the Hon. Vance Amory.
After graduating in 1972, Manners was – much to his disappointment - posted to St. Kitts where he taught ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels at the Grammar School.
“There weren’t many teaching positions around,” he said, “Nevis didn’t have its own constitution at that time. It was one education system so you could be placed anywhere. I wasn’t happy because I wanted to be back in Nevis, but I enjoyed it.”
His request for a transfer to Nevis was granted after he got married in 1974. He then spent the next three years at Charlestown Secondary, where he taught English, History, Commerce and Accounts at GCE Ordinary Level. He took a keen interest in accounting and soon registered with the ACCA and started studying to be a chartered accountant.
“It appeared to me that a degree in Economics and History would not take me where I thought I wanted to be, so I started looking around for something else to study.”
He revealed that he had never done accounts when he started teaching it, but thought that the best way to practice for it was by teaching the subject. He even wrote the ‘O’ Levels alongside his students!
He resigned from teaching in 1977 and went to work with an auditing firm in St. Kitts. He explained that rumors were spreading at the time that he left school because he was overlooked for the principal’s position at Charlestown Secondary in favor of Amory.
“The real reason however was, unknown to other people, I was well into my studies towards being a chartered accountant and had decided it was time to break.”
Manners spent five years at the firm in St. Kitts and it was during that time he journeyed to England to pursue his dream.
He described that period as quite an experience which would stay with him forever. It included working at the Vauxhall car factory during the summer.
“For me as a teacher who was not accustomed to that kind of work, it was very interesting. Going to work five weeks of day and five weeks of night, that is the other part that intrigued me.”
“I learnt a lot from that and that experience will stay with me until I die,” he said.
He returned to the Federation in 1981 and qualified as a CPA in 1982.
Manners went to work with TDC and spent 10 years contributing to the growth and development of the company, first as Chief Accountant and then in various capacities including Company Secretary.
Manners broke new ground in 1985 when he was appointed first Chairman of the new Bank of Nevis, although he had no banking experience. He served as Chairman until 1999 and it was during this period that he decided he wanted to qualify himself as a banker.
So, it was back to studying for this perpetual student, and by 1998 he had become an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB).
He then succeeded in having the directors appoint him to the position of Chief Financial Officer and returned to Nevis in 1999. Taking up the position meant he had to quit as Chairman of the Bank, but he remains a director to this day.
Manners, who retired last year, was recently honored for his years of service to that institution.
Arts
Manners described himself as someone who was always arts oriented. He became business oriented much later. His mother played the organ and he taught himself to play the guitar and piano. He always loved singing and also taught himself music. One regret he however has, is not taking music seriously as a boy.
“I think I would have made a great musician.”
As a young man he helped established the Delta Youth Club in Gingerland and wrote the Charlestown Secondary School song as a 16-year-old in 1960. Nevis Lovely Nevis was produced in 1974 but Manners lists “Bamboo Shay: A Collection of Short Stories of Nevis” as his biggest contribution to the arts. He said it took a lot of effort because short stories have to be really good in order to keep the reader’s interest.
Manners also has a diploma in theology, along with his wife Annette, and is part of the prison ministry at his church. He justifies his continuous studies by saying he is someone who does not like to waste time. Thus, he has not put down his pen as yet, but plans to continue writing poetry and at least one other book.
He has been honored twice, by the Department of Culture and, last year, by the Public Library.
Manners enjoys playing chess, and tennis for recreation.
