Fiji FACT 2016
Radhika Prasad
Suva
If this Saturday, Rewa soccer wants to progress further and register the title under its name, then it should field the same players who played in the pool play against Ba in Labasa.
No unnecessary changes should be made unless it becomes necessary.
Against Ba in Labasa Rewans were leading by two goals to nil and because of the last minute changes in the backline, it backfired and Ba came from behind to level the score.
I sincerely hope careful decisions will be made by the hard working coach Marika Rodu.
Soccer fans
Vimal Singh
Nausori
When it comes to soccer in Fiji, the atmosphere surrounding the tournaments gets so hyped up and intense as if we are watching World Cup right here at our own town.
Fans from all teams come in numbers and with them comes their creativity be it the flags, the costumes, the saaj baja (musical instruments) or just a passing comment like Oh Bhaye!!! You can always figure out who is supporting who during these games.
Now, fans from Labasa have always taken pride and are never shy to show support for their team but then, there are two types of Labasa fans. The first type, don number 10 red and white stripes and have a flag in a hand, who will shout from their way in till their way out and then there’s other Labasa fans, whom you will see stand up and jump in joy only when the team scores. The funny thing is they will be seated right next to you the whole time and all quiet.
My best wishes for the four teams that will be playing at Ratu Cakobau Park this Saturday.
#Go Tigers!!!
Bravo Rabuka
Dr. Sushil K Sharma
Lautoka
Some Fijians only appear to have woken up from a slumber since 1987, living in a time-warp as if the 1987 coup d’état only took place this month (Simon Hazelman, FS 29/06/16).
Nearly three decades – yes 30-years have elapsed since 1987 and folks born around that time are even about to become grandparents.
Some have forgotten that Rabuka was accepted back into the fold and became a very charismatic and successful democratically elected third Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1992 to 1999.
He went on to serve as chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, and later served as chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council from 2001 to 2008. He was elected to this position on May 24, 2001 and re-elected for another three-year term on April 13, 2005.
Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, OBE, MSD, OStJ, born September 13, 1948, emerged from obscurity on May 14, 1987 and from the lesser known second coup in Fiji by him, on September 28, 1987.
Rabuka was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1980 and the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1981.
Educated at Queen Victoria School, Rabuka was trained initially in New Zealand army schools, from which he graduated in 1973, and later did postgraduate work at the Indian Defence Services Staff College in 1979, and at the Australian Joint Services Staff College in 1982.
Rabuka became seen as a hero when he overthrew Fiji’s first Indo Fijian dominated government to install an indigenous Fijian ruling class. During the time of the coup, Rabuka was sometimes referred to in the press as “Colonel Steve Rambo.”
In 2006, Rabuka finally apologised for having executed the coups. Fiji Live reported on March 28 that Rabuka had told India’s Ahmedabad Newsline, while visiting India for medical treatment, that he regretted his role in the coups, which he described as “democratically wrong.”
Rabuka has moved full circle in Fijian politics and is very well respected now-days by many, even in the Indo-Fijian community. He appears not to harbour any further nationalists aspirations, and believes in a common identity, universal suffrage and equality for all Fijians.
Like a good wine, he has fully matured over the years, and I strongly believe –whatever anyone says – that he has more ‘grunt under the hood’ than some people give him credit, and that he will remain a very good and formidable politician in Fiji, for many years to come.
Fijians are a forgiving people, and I am sure that many have already forgiven him – and that those who have not; not done so as they have yet to understand him, his visions and aspirations – which do not appear to be any dissimilar to that of the present government’s aspirations.
The style of leadership and government is where we will note differences between individuals. Bainimarama is not Rabuka and vice-versa – and thus we should not be surprised if Rabuka wants to do things at a different pace or style – as people often disagree on that, even if they all agree on the policy platform.
I say to all Fijians that Rabuka has done his “time” and deserves a full pardon by all – even the Constitutions have done that not only to him but others of 1987, 2000 and 2006.
Who are Fijians to argue over this today in 2016 – 30 years after, the pardon, except for academic interest? We can no longer right the wrongs – except learn from the past.
I say let’s move Fiji on and give Rabuka a break and let him lead his party as best as he can. Some Fijians need to get out of the time-machine and stop living in a time-warp. The globalised world in very dynamic and it will not forgive us, if we keep looking back!
I say Bravo Rabuka! Move on and serve Fiji as the best way you can – Fiji needs you too, and others who are still out there on the side-lines! I am forever ready to listen to your grunt too and say – Bring it on Mate!
NFP position
Amenatave Yaconisau,
Suva
Tupou Draunidalo’s rejection of Sitiveni Rabuka as Leader of SODELPA during the NFP working committee meeting in Nadi (FS 28/6) is justified given the feeling of voters who pulled her through during the 2014 elections.
This hurt feeling was widely shared by the Indo-Fijian community and as an elected leader Ms Draunidalo has to respect that feeling.
The NFP is better off with a leader who is sensitive to their feelings and one to whom they can look up to for direction. Learning from past experience is only an indicator of what can happen in the future and the SODELPA management should view this as a right of NFP as a coalition partner.
She’s bound to lose votes as a coalition partner come 2018 if she backs the appointment of Rabuka as Leader of SODELPA. I agree with your Editorial comment by Nemani Delaibatiki that whatever happens in any political party they will go to the people come 2018 to ask for their votes (FS 29/6). The SODELPA party cannot go on with the coalition with contradictions and conflicting issues for starters. It has to have reinforcing platforms on major policy matters.
Meanwhile Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa has opted for a strange bed partner totally opposing his party’s position (FS 29/6) so reminicient of Saul’s encounter with God on his way to Damascus when he was converted to Paul. Rabuka at one time persecuted the community but he must be given a chance.
I agree with Mr Vakaliwaliwa that everyone makes mistakes (FS 29/6) but we must give them a chance to make amends
The current administration calls it the ‘Yellow Ribbon’ approach.
Water problem
Amrit Singh, Nausori
Water has always been a problem for the people in the West during the drought season.
We are entering the dry spell now and the boreholes will dry up, including streams. Rather than making adjustments in the budget for cars or liquor, the budget I wanted to hear first was for water rather than anything else.
I have an idea which may help the Government and the Western Division farmers. Government should allocate a budget to make large water holding tanks for western farmers. What I mean is tanks that are the size of Total and Pacific Energy fuel holding tanks which are along Walu Bay. If tanks of that kind can hold fuel then why not water?
There is plenty water during the rainy season that can be pumped into these tanks and used in sugarcane and vegetable farms around Sigatoka, Ba and Tavua.
Fiji can gain more revenue if Government can allocate budgets to build those giant water tanks in the West. Our agriculture is lagging behind due to water irrigation problems.
Thus, people of West will never face water problems if in next budget money is given to build giant water reservoir tanks.
Let’s all hope this development will take place, rather than Hybrid cars getting a good budget. Then what about the Lowbrids?
Crusaders and Chiefs
Samuela Kailawadoko,
Nadi
The Crusaders and Chiefs have finally both arrived into Suva and the teams are both excited to play here.
There will be some good footy as they both lead the NZ Super 18 conference.
Their arrival at the airport and welcoming ceremony together with their seafront hotel and view will play a greater part in this Super Rugby clash and in their history and folklore than any other single factor in the years of Super Rugby.
Suffice to say at this point that the choice of Fiji for the clash was not only the happiest chance, but also a reciprocation for the generosity of our local fans and players who have represented both the teams.
But,something of a valuable ‘pipe-opener’ for the tourists in preparation for the tougher encounters to come. Not that one should in any way be patronising about the game, as the shock result every year continues to prove.
Few people realise, too, that in the early years Crusaders certainly held their own with the illustrious Chiefs.
I am sure that both teams will put up good display of rugby and may the best team win.
Line up mentality
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa
Canada
We Fijians are catching on fast the lifestyle, fashion, speech, gait among others, that we try and copy from the western world as portrayed in the movies, overseas news etc.
Mere Tubuna compared trying to catch the Suva/Nausori mini bus at Rodwell Road with the chaos of Spain’s running of the bull race.
This is not the first time this concern has been raised in the dailies; Do the authorities want someone to die or be seriously injured before they come up with a solution?
One thing we Fijians have not copied is the line-up or queue mentality that is a joy to watch out here and in a lot of countries.
People just automatically form a queue when waiting or boarding a bus, buy tickets, even waiting to use a public toilet.
It’s a shame to see school children after knocking off from school to line-up single file to board their waiting bus, but adults just push and shove, not caring who gets hurt, as long as they get a seat on the minibus during peak hours.
I call upon the Suva City Council and LTA to start the line up or queue mentality at the Suva Bus Stand and at the Suva/Nausori minibus stand.
Suva is the capital of Fiji, let us act like decent people by forming a line when boarding buses and mini buses.
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