Guyana has lost one of its most distinctive voices on African history, identity and culture with the death of Tom Dalgetty, widely known as Ras Tom Dalgetty, who died on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the age of 86.

Dalgetty, born November 24, 1939, leaves a legacy spanning broadcasting, Pan-African activism, historical research, Rastafari and cultural advocacy. For decades, he challenged Guyanese to examine the country’s history through the experiences and contributions of its African population.

He attended Queen’s College, where he served as athletics captain, before studying chemistry and geology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. While at Aberdeen, he held positions in both the West Indian Students Association and African Students Association. The Organisation of American States (OAS) has described him as a Pan-Africanist whose outlook was influenced by his parents and family background.