Biography
The Hon. Zane Lightbourne is reputed as a strong unionist, a skilled negotiator and an advocate for teachers and teaching as a profession.
He was born on January 24, 1976, in Nassau. At an early age his parents moved the family to Eleuthera, where he received his early education at Green Castle Primary and Rock Sound Primary. He also attended S.C. McPherson Junior High School (Nassau), Preston H. Albury High, and A.F. Adderley High Schools (Nassau).
Minister Lightbourne holds a BA degree in Computer Information Systems from Sojourner Douglas College, an Associate’s Degree in Social Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Geography and a Teaching Certificate from the College of the Bahamas.
Mr. Lightbourne started his career as a Social Studies, History & Geography teacher, rising to the post of Vice Principal before being promoted into the Ministry of Education, he also served as a Senior Education Officer in School Management.
Minister Lightbourne’s first appointment as a teacher was at Jack Hayward High School in August 1999. His extensive teaching career also includes St. George’s High School and Government High School.
Mr. Lightbourne’s passion for helping people since the beginning of his teaching career led him to run for Executive Member of the Bahamas Union of Teachers in 2010 where he won and successfully served for three years. He served as Vice President and Acting President. He also held the position of General Secretary of the National Congress of Trade Unions and served as the Secretary General, The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union as well as Chairman of Public Relations for the Caribbean Union of Teachers.
He was elected Member of Parliament for Yamacraw on September 16, 2021 and sworn in as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training.
As Minister of State, his portfolio included: Technical Cadet Corps, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), the Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute (CHMI), apprenticeship and lifelong learning.
Mr. Lightbourne and his wife Candice are the parents of two children – a son and a daughter.
On the 11th of September, 2023, Mr. Lightbourne was named the Minister of State for Environment and Natural Resources.
His new portfolio includes: Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Department of Forestry, Department of Environmental Health Services, Protection Conservation and Management of the Environment, Climate, Reefs and Blue Holes, Natural History Specimens, Botanical Gardens, Exploration of Oil and Gas, Landfills, Vector Control, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, Oil and Natural Gas, BNGIS Centre, Relations With Bahamas National Trust, relations with Bahamas Protected Areas Fund, wild animal and bird protection, the Plant Protection Act, Aragonite Mining, Geological Surveys, Environmental Control, Alternative Energy and Public Sanitation.
October,2024