Rita Marley and Sizzla Will Be Honored At Jamaica's Independence Day Grand Gala

Reggae artists Rita Marley and Sizzla Kalonji are going to be honored by the Jamaican Government at this year's Grand Gala on Independence Day, August 6, at the National Stadium in Kingston.

The Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Gender Affairs, and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, announced the honorees during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House last week.

Minister Grange believes that both Rita and Sizzla are deserving of their honors. Past honorees were Jimmy Cliff, Freddy McGregor, Marcia Griffiths and Damion ‘Junior Gong’ Marley.

The minister also announced that the budget allocated for this year’s Grand Gala is $85 million, up from $79 million which was expended for last year's event.