South Africans, other expats must respect BVI culture
Talk-show host Claude Skelton Cline has called on South Africans and all expatriates living in the BVI to respect the territory’s culture and protocols, following outrage over the South African flag being flown above the Virgin Islands flag at the Watering Hole restaurant and bar.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline said the incident was more than a simple mistake — it was a reminder that the Virgin Islands’ identity must not be undermined in its own homeland.
“When you are in another person’s country, the first thing you do is respect the culture and the protocols of that country,” Skelton Cline declared on his Honestly Speaking radio show this week.
“If I were in charge, there would have been a season where the only flag you would fly in any public place would be the Virgin Islands flag. Because we have become such an integrated society, there is a need for us to be even more vigilant in preserving and protecting our culture.”
He revealed that according to official statistics, the Virgin Islands is home to 124 nationalities among a population of just 35,000, calling the territory a “melting pot” of the world. But he warned that without deliberate measures, Virgin Islands culture risks being overshadowed.
“We must not have just a one-day outrage,” he added. “Policies must be put in place and enforced if we are going to sustain Virgin Islands culture. It is not enough to be outraged — courage is doing what needs to be done to ensure things like this don’t even become imaginable,” the outspoken clergyman preached.
The Watering Hole faced sharp criticism some weeks ago after hoisting the South African flag above the Virgin Islands flag, an act many residents described as disrespectful. Many rushed to the defence of the owners, explaining the gesture as one of cultural pride, but the controversy has sparked wider calls for rules governing flag protocols in public and commercial spaces.
The incident has also reignited longstanding tensions between Virgin Islanders and expatriates. For decades, some locals have voiced concerns that their culture, traditions, and very identity are being stamped out under the weight of a growing immigrant population.
Expats now make up a significant portion of the workforce and social fabric of the territory, leading to fears among indigenous Virgin Islanders that their heritage is being diluted in their own land.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
The BVI also long had a culture of working hard for what you want and giving an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. CSC seem to either not know about this or either forgot.
You got several contracts where you did not work but pocketed tax payers money. That is a fact.
You seem to be able to tell everybody else to respect BVI culture, are you exempt from respecting the BVI culture of honesty and hardwork? Before you speak, repay the taxpayers their money – the neighbourhood project, the jobs program and the other bogus contracts that you got claiming to be advising Andrew Fahie.
Stick to the point not the person making the point
Your response clearly says who you are
You should not be involved in this discussion
No running water
Bad roads
Bad education
No audited accounts
Crime
Drug trafficking
Corruption
And you focus on hating expats and visitors?
What’s wrong with you?
Calling out disrespect and hate
Your comment is disrespectful in itself and full of hatred
all i see the comment stated was facts that we all experience here on regular basis and yall rdy to fight down that one straight forward comment lmfao
1. yes the flag thing is very disrespectful if they gonna be like that deport them
2. i also agree we have more serious things we need to be pushing in the news and in our country cuzz idk how in big 2025 some places cant have something as essential as clean running water consistently but we have leaders and a small ignorant minority (like u guys…) believe independent is a good thing….and anyone who brings up real issues is haters…. thats real deflection there guys
#Bankofasia
#CovidGrants
#Fakescholarships
#badroads
#NoRunningWater
#BadInfasctructre
#FestivalBigOrgy
#SexDrugsInSchools
#ElectricityOnAndOff
#GreedBill
#HeadCoachScheme
#MinorsDressedLikeGrownWomen
#BuildingsUnfixedSinceIrma
#biwater
#BviAirways
#PierParkScheme
#NoPriceControl
#ConsumerProctection
#eshsWall
#SweageOnRoads
#No24/7ClinicInVG
#FailedPorjectHome
#Barges2PatrolBoarders
#NoFoodsAfterIrma
#HighschoolDropouts
#KidsWithGunz
#MONEYBOYZ
#WESTBANK
#SOB
#88GANG
#GASSSSSSSAF
Deportation seems to be the answer for everything that’s plaquing the BVI. smh
Typical racists’ response. You want to live in the BVI yet hate the people and culture. Go back to apartheid SA. We have enough white apartheid and white segregation here already.
All this man does is cause division among the people of the BVI. Always putting expats against locals. When will ZBVI take him off the radio? This is not helpful to the BVI.
And if he had any shame at all he would not even walk in public. Someone needs to pull his file and give him a good shaming because he seem to have none whatsoever
This matter, when initially reported, was found to have occurred inadvertently and was identified belatedly.
The last official update on this platform made it clear that the issue resulted from an unintentional oversight, not from any directive or involvement by the business owners, who are South African nationals. Once the matter was brought to their attention, they acted promptly and issued a formal apology.
Revisiting this matter at this point may give the unintended impression of underlying xenophobic sentiment. God forbid.
Can you guys report on something else other than what Claude Skelton says on his show? This is not real journalism. Seems like you rely on him for content on this site. Please stop giving another platform to continue to grow division in the community. He’s done enough damage to this tiny nation.
You have expressed my exact sentiments. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired seeing another article about what this guy says or what gauvaberry says.
I like this site, but this is too much for me. Everyday, these chaous agents are been presented for us to talk about.
Surely, there has to be other things that can be reported upon other than what these people say.
The fatigue with these two is very real.
take it down
Shut the hell up man.
Italian restaurant globally fly the Italian flag.
You go to eat at Chinese restaurants.
We drive German cars.
If all of that undermines your sense of culture you may want to go back to catch fish. Don’t accept foreign money (financial services / tourism / third pillar money) and go and love your culture.
Brilliant! Well said 🙂
For the ones who agree with this guy yall will learn. Have a good day.
I can’t believe decent people will go to the house of God and listen to this corrupt man shame less idiot false prophet that calls himself a pastor what a low life .
Not me. I don’t want to get scammed.
If you and your crook friends had your way you would have a day when you would all be flying flags of Andrew Fahie like the Premier.
Thatis VI culture you celebrate. That and hate and division
You are a simple hypocrite: you dodge and duck with your racist friends and sneer- we see you
Anyone going to his church should be called out and cancelled.He wanted to cancel the Detroit zoo,cause he didn’t see any worth, educational or what ever.He said only white ppl benefit from zoos..he wanted to defund the zoo..
What is this so called culture you speak of? Hatred is not a culture it’s a mindset.
THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME. I NEVER KNEW CULTURE WAS BASED ON EVIL, BADMINDEDNESS, ENVY, GREED. JEALOUSY AND VICTIMIZATION.
How would you like foreigners to become the majority in your country. I am sure although you may live here, you wouldn’t like that.
If you were really hated, you would not stay here.
Over the years, I have found that many expatriates actively research, record and promote the island’s culture and history. Without their dedication much would have been lost.
No one who is not from the bvi should go to his place of business and buy his pizza or support him in anyway as a pastor he is also selling alcoholic beverages in his business.
“When you are in another person’s country, the first thing you do is respect the culture and the protocols of that country,” Skelton Cline declared.
THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE REAL ISSUE.
He is so right. I applaud him for speaking passionately about this vexing issue.
Bout time.
The sponsor’s that pay to broadcast and print garbage.
So tell me SKELLY, is part of our Culture keeping a picture of a convicted criminal who was once the leader the Country that was sent to Federal Prison to serve time for drug pushing picture deserve to be sitting in the HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY? IS THAT PART OF OUR PARODICAL AND OUR CULTURE? HAVE SOME DAMN RESPECT. SKELLY, DON’T CHOP OFF YOIR SNOUT TO SPITE YOUR FACE.
Andrew was duly elected. His photo ahs a right to be in the dam house.
And duly convicted. If you are going to have a picture at least use an accurate one with him behind bars and remove the word honorable.
1. Please learn how to form a proper sentence. 2. Yes he was elected. 3. However, he is now a criminal serving time, his picture has no business sitting on the HOA wall. May as well take pictures of the sexual predators and hang their pictures on every office wall. A convicted criminal picture has no right sitting on the HOA wall and should be removed.
which culture we talking about? the ones where the youths say is the new culture which revolves around sex,drugs,half naked minors, gangs, rum, violence, fast life and dry humping events?
or are we referring the proper decent culture shown and Carrot bay every year?
if it’s the latter then yes plz respect cuz the next generation clearly dont.
It is the Expats that is putting the BVI on the map sans no one on the outside knew what/where the BVI WAS LOCATED. Up to this day when I travel and I mention I live in Tortola, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND, most of the response is where is that place, never heard of it.
At Really!! so what?
So what you say? That is why you will remain a back of the bush black ingrate. Yeah I know you area indeed a black like tar Island ninja ingrate.
There are some racists or highly prejudiced people on this site and they are showing true colours. Calling someone black like tar in a derogatory manner. Why are you here? The sad thing is some of our black people are joining in with them simply because of hate for people of the BVI. Reality check: they do not like you either.
Yes, it is the Expats that is promoting the Island when they travel out of the BVI. You guys don’t as much as have your local Athletes that is abroad promote your Island. Stop the ridiculous nonsense already. Respect is earned, if you show respect to the Expats you will receive respect. I recently told someone on a trip to Switzerland that the BVI was a nice place to set up after retirement.
If you look at the photo its clear what happened. The BVI flag was on the bottom and upside down. This was clearly a mistake in running the flag up the pole the wrong way.
This is clearly another way for the division to be stuck between the Expats and the Local Population. Every one loves the BVI who lives here and there are a couple of prominate people who are constantly spouting nonsense. Same ones in the COI shouting loudest and had the most to hide.
I think you all lost the discussion topic. The powers that be need to have a stop at flag raising, and the only ones should be raise should be at the institutions of learning. So take it into consideration. And some one tell me why there is a need to raising another country flag in the BVI?
All you hearing is “wave your flag, rep for flag, lemme see your flag”. So, what you expect?
He is right. However we must show respect to our own culture if we want others to respect it also. The Apartheid descendants have their own cultural view of things which will never be our view of things, and that is to be expected. So respect must be demanded and maintained respectfully.
Respect has to be earned!
When you are in another person’s house or country you have to be show at least a basic level of respect. We cannot go the United States or other country and say they have to earn our respect and we do as we please. It is belongs to them. We are not entitled to whatever we want in other people’s space even you think the owners of that space are not moving right.
OHH Give it a rest. I lay eggs everyday to contribute to our economy and workforce, and yet you say my ducklings ain’t from here. Put a sock on it!
I don’t always agree with Mr. Skelton views but he has a point. I will never ever think about flying a BVI flag in another man’s country. It would be inappropriate for me to do so and it’s inappropriate for anyone from any other country to fly their nation flags in the BVI, period. I see people flying Dominican Republic and other countries flags on their vehicles here in the BVI and it’s totally disrespectful.
ANYBODY WHO GOES TO ANY COUNTRY HAS TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO RESPECT THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY AND THE CULTURE / BUT THESE TWO CLOWNS – VSC & JUDGE WIGGIE IS JUST DRAMATIZING EVERY LITTLE THING YO CREATE DRAMA , THESE TWO HYPOCRITES WILL DO ANYTHING
TO BE IN SPOTLIGHT , BOTH HAVE THE SAME MENTALITY ‘ WRITING AND BLOGGING TGD SAME RACIST NARRATIVES TO SEE EHO CA6 OUT TALK THE OTHER SO SOONER ORR LATER THEY WILL CLASH FOR KING OF THE HILL ( ON YHE STREET ” LORDY CLAUDIE ” IS MORE SOPHISTICATED , BUT THE WIGGED ONE IS NOT GOING TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT / THAT OVERGROWN EGO OF HIS WON’T ACCEPT DEFEAT / AND THE CITY SLICKER WILL ONLY PUT ON HIS MILLION SMILE AND SAY TO HIMSELF ~ LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO SHOW THIS WANNABE WIGGIE ” WAH TIME IT IS “
Respect for me and my culture in my own country doesn’t have to be earned, it is my birthright. Respect for me as human being is also my birthright. Respect for your character has to be earned. Know the difference.
I thought this subject was raised months ago. At the time I said probably a member of staff, possibly a local, had raised the halyard the wrong way up in ignorance, and just needed to be politely told to correct it. By such misunderstandings wars are started.
Virgin Islanders must respect our culture too. Oftentimes it is our hasty embrace of other cultures without putting ours on display which causes ours to be displaced. We could speak honestly and start with NY style pizza!!!
The Expats is the ones that is building up the BVI.
A monk once asked his students, if you are walking down the street with a cup of coffee and someone bumps into you, why did you spill the coffee? The students answered, because someone bumped into me. The monk said, no, you spilled coffee because coffee was what was in your cup. If you had water in your cup, you would have spilled water.
The lesson is simple. Every now and then people/life will bump into you. What spills out is whatever you are carrying. If you carry kindness and understanding, that is what spills over. If you carry contempt and frustration and self righteousness, that is what spills over too.
For a pastor this man needs to be quiet
1. The people apologized when it happened
I2. All the Africans and other expats should leave his church
3. He is yrying to find his niche to run for government
4. He is now the MODERN DAY COLONIAL HATER
He is Clinism Expatism oppresser
Shame on you
Fighting for independence
Can you imagine fella’s like him running government
Modern Clinism oppressor of Caribbeanism people
You are no better than the Colonist who
We black peoples fought against for freedom
The world evolves population growth is not static
BVI young people have embraced US culture more tham their own
Fries
Fry chicken
Greasy lasagna
Mac and cheese
Who eats
Cassave
Tannias
The cooked sugar apple
Do not intermarry
Do not import labour
Do not send away your children
Let them come back and work
Do not expand your economy
Then you will preserve you culture
Racist badnimded hypocrite man
It’s not like we educate ourselves on flag etiquette, a somewhat dated concept in itself. It’s not taught in most schools anywhere, and generally not enforced. The evidence is there for anyone who cares to observe. CSK once again blowing off hot air looking to keep himself relevant.
The Mama Skelton(look it up)was one of the biggest wholesale slave traders on the west Coast of Africa .She fought the English at sea..she had her own ships,when the Brits were trying to stop the trade.Remembercthe name Skelton when your looking reparations.Yes the Internet reveals all.Oh you can be proud to know that she was one of many..black slave owners/traders…Google it if you dare.
The pizza at the watering hole is waaaaay better than Claude de fraud,s..and the vibe and everything..jealous of white ppl is Claudes mo.
Caucasians stick together. That’s the key..try it sometime..it’s not all smiles all the time..but it’s better than fighting…which looks terrible.
BVI is probably one of the most racial countries I have visited. The hate of the white race is clear and obvious every where you go. Keep up with the modern world and accept peoples differences. You want the businesses to invest and employ but don’t allow them to be individuals themselves.
Same religious man spreading hate again, what a surprise.