Alain St.Ange… the man who knows, shows and goes the way

Alain St.Ange… the man who knows, shows and goes the way

 

 
Almasalla, ATP News- Mandy Bertin from the Seychelles News Bureau writes:-

 

 

Spending Sunday afternoon with a pile of paper and photos scattered on my bed, and my laptop can sound boring but it was everything but.

I sat there wondering how I would start this article, so I decided to read about the traits of the zodiac Scorpio and to my surprise, the person I was writing about is a perfect match to these traits. I was amazed at how much my leader as I like to call him matches the description given.

Those born under the zodiac Scorpio are able to attain anything they put their mind to and they do not give up. I smiled as I came across this line while reading, thinking about Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture who always say that he is a dreamer.

Indeed he does dream…a lot, but he is a dreamer who knows the way and goes the way. He knows how to make those dreams become real, and I have been fortunate enough during my times as a journalist to witness many of these dreams have been realised. Seychelles could not have chosen a better Minister to head the Tourism and Culture portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minister St.Ange   ̶  a man who has been in the tourism industry for many years and who has taken it to great heights.

Recollections

Growing up on a farm can be seen as a gift for many of those who have experienced it. Not only do you develop a love for animals but also great values. One may learn to become more disciplined, committed, hardworking and develop a strong work ethic.

“I was a young boy growing up on an agricultural estate. My parents were working on a farm so I was very much an agricultural boy,” the Minister said.

“I had the chance to grow up and enjoy the beauty, space and tranquillity of La Digue as an island. There I learned how to swim and I spent all my youth days there.”

Minister St.Ange describes himself as not a city person, adding that you can take a boy out of his surroundings but you cannot take the surroundings out of the boy.

Coming to Mahe for further studies at the Seychelles College and growing up with his grandparents had him missing his birth land La Digue.

“In those days we had to take a four-hour boat trip to La Digue, and during those few hours I had sea-sickness,” Minister St.Ange said.

Even as a growing boy, I had to go work in the vanilla and coconut plantations, but we still had time to enjoy with other kids of the island.

“This is why I cherish my days on La Digue and I enjoy going back as I have so many memories there,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a break

As a man who truly believes in tourism in all its aspect, and who believes in promoting domestic tourism, Minister St.Ange prefers his ideal peaceful holiday to be on La Digue, Praslin, Denis island and Bird island. All these places bring so many great souvenirs.

“The ideal holiday for me is going to a place of peacefulness and with the job that I do. Being somebody who does not drink or smoke, I can enjoy sitting and writing things down, but it is that moment of peace that I do not have in the office.”

Reading is also how he unwinds and keeps his mind ticking, generating ideas all the time. Through these readings, he has been able to understand that Seychelles has made the right decision to merge tourism and culture together.

What better place to unwind than in the garden. The sweet smell of roses, the pretty little petals swaying on the melody of the wind, and peace the garden provides can surely chase the stress away.

A round in the garden, spending time planting and nurturing the plants, and developing his own style of gardening, have provided our minister with the perfect stress-free moments away from the tourism and culture work.

Driving up the road up to Sans Souci, enjoying the panoramic view and greenery of the mountains always bring a smile on his face.

Minister St Ange also enjoys writing books and collecting old historical photos of Seychelles. It is apparent that he is a patriotic man, as he has during his time in office mark historical events of the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being Alain…

“I am a people’s person and I will remain like that. I can feel comfortable talking to anybody, and I can adapt to any circumstances,” he said.

“I can raise to the level of my counterparties and come back home and be myself.”

Surely being like this, it is a blessing. I have been a witness to this, on his door-to-door visits on Praslin, meeting and spending time with general managers and their staff. It is amazing to see how people admire and respect him, for his down-to-earth qualities have made him a man who is well-respected wherever he goes.

He is always being seen in the media, and this is proof of the work he is doing, and the passion he has for his job  ̶  one he enjoys greatly.

His father…his inspiration

 “My father Karl St.Ange has inspired me greatly. He was a great political figure and brought me into politics. If I am able to mix with different people and I am who I am today, it is thanks to my dad,” he said proudly.

But his dad was not the only one who has brought great joy in the minister’s life. Marrying Ginette Michel and having his two daughters Christine and Michelle, have been the best things in life.

Ending, Minister St.Ange had this to share ‘You need to be truthful to yourself and remain who you are. Do not try to change. Do not try to be somebody else because you will fail. Be you and do what you do well.’