Rabuka leadership
Abendra Ram Tahal, California, USA
SODELPA made the most damaging judgement by electing Sitiveni Rabuka to be its leader, who planted the first seed of the coup.
The foundation and policies which SODELPA portrayed until the election of Rabuka as the leader was formed solely based on democratic principles yet now it seems the party has failed to stand by it.
SODELPA has been very critical on the coup culture yet they have embraced Sitiveni as the head of the party, the very person who is responsible for the destruction and demise of our flourishing and healthy economy and social harmony since 1987.
Sitiveni’s leadership role will not only damage the trust among of the board members but more so to its grassroots supporters and its other political affiliation like NFP.
Now the hypocrisy of SODELPA’s policy has been exposed to all the Fijians, especially to the iTaukei community who have been manipulated for generations by SDL, SVT and now SODELPA to win they votes in the past elections.
Sitiveni Rabuka had apologised many times. The only acceptable apology to be considered in any event would be only when he reveals the name of his co-conspirators and financial supporters of his coup.
Sitiveni also has to unconditionally apologise in the open columns of all the major newspapers in Fiji, especially to the Indo-Fijian community for the, assault, robbery, looting, etc. against them which has traumatised them all their lives. Also they should be fairly compensated for the loss.
Today many of the families like mine are parted from each other and living in different parts of the world due to acts of May 14, 1987.I would like to commend the former SODELPA leader, Ro Temumu and some of the other brave members of her party for voicing out they opinions against Sitiveni’s nomination. Also NFP stance on this has left them with no option but to divorce the partnership from SODELPA to avoid losing in the integrity and democratic principles.
It is very stunning to see Citizens’ Constitutional Forum who is championing for democratic principles is mum on the matter.
It would be in the best interest of the party’s survival from demise, collapsing and crumbling, the SODELPA leader, Sitiveni should resign immediately to avoid the same fate which he brought to SVT.
God Bless Fiji!
Why the fuss about leaders?
Epeli Rabua, Suva
What is the big deal about Mr Sitiveni Rabuka’s successful return to leadership, for the SODELPA political party?
Why are people fretting and gnashing their teeth against a leader, whom from the very beginning of Fiji’s coup culture in 1987 – has admitted to and asked for the nation’s forgiveness, as he carried the ignominious burden of being the very first coup leader of Fiji? Nothing!
Time has moved on. It’s almost 10 years since Fiji’s last “revolution”, as quoted by Mr Bainimarama, when the New Zealand Prime Minister – Mr John Key, visited Fiji two weeks ago. It’s no big deal.
The media and political mileage SODELPA has got from Mr Rabuka’s successful leadership drive, has woken up the iTaukei, who for the last few years have seen their struggle for representation and parity in the political arena, been non-existent or very limited at best. Now, it is every day that we see the new
SODELPA leader, walking, talking and pooling his resources for a new and robust strategy for the party.
And as Fiji has seen fit to accept the Fiji First leadership and Government, so must we all accept SODELPA’s members’ decision to select Mr Rabuka, as their leader. Remember, we have not touched on the biblical side of things yet!
Mr Rabuka’s nomination has brought life into Fiji’s dreary political morass and we all look forward to new life, new decisions and new beginnings for SODELPA and the Fijian people. May Mr Rabuka’s leadership be a fruitful one, not only for SODELPA, but for all its members and Fijians alike in this beautiful nation of Fiji.
Forgiveness
Neelz Singh, Lami
Newly appointed SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka showed his deep regret for the 1987 coups. Rabuka asked for forgiveness from the party president and former leader Ro Teimumu Kepa and other members of the party. What about the people of Fiji and race of other descendent who suffered in 1987?
Rabuka said that this is to ask for forgiveness, those who are still hurt from the coups in 1987 especially from the women of this nation who were victims of brutality. His action in ‘87 got people hurt, and tortured and those who lost their loved ones.
He adds that he regrets starting the coup culture. Do you want this kind of leader to lead Fiji again and this might happen again? The youths of today seek future visionary leaders who are young, dedicated, honest and loyal.
Does he really mean what he says?
Why did the party not include a youth leader in the voting process when the selection was done? Don’t they want youths of today to be part of the party? It seems the party has ignored our youths. Hope our youths have a better say.
Tale of two ships
Malakai Naduva, Malau Road
There is a ship called SODELPA and there was a ship called SVT.
SVT had sunk beneath heavy political waves and turbulences and is no more. SODELPA is currently encountering the same course which sank the SVT and is in the midst of political waves and turbulences. Its captain is trying her very best to keep the ship afloat. The ship’s mate and some crew members seeing the dilemma and fearing for the passengers decided to change the captain and find a new one who may sail the ship out of danger. Five captains were short listed.
The SODELPA mates and crews decided to trust the former old captain of SVT even though his ship had sunk. The old captain was tasked to map out a new course for the ship and keep it afloat.
As tasked, the old captain decided to merge with other ships to keep the SODELPA afloat. Immediately the captains of the other ships showed their discontent and distance their ships from SODELPA since the old captain was the one that started it all, the political waves and turbulences.
Fearing for their future, the former captain, some crews and passengers of SODELPA have decided to abandon ship. The old captain is determined that he will keep SODELPA afloat because as soon as he took the helm, huge political waves has entered the ship. Other ships, their captains and passengers are watching with one question in their mind. Will the old captain be able to sail SODELPA out of troubled waters or will he sink it like his former ship? Only time will tell.
Students and letters
Ashneel J Prasad, Auckland, NZ
I think it’s amazing that more and more students are contributing to this forum and voicing their concerns. More power to them.
I encourage more students to voice their thoughts, your opinion’s are valid – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Healthy living
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
Healthy living seems to be the buzz word in Fiji as it is echoed from our President, the PM and right down to young school children.
It is cute to see the Year 1 to 3 students of Annesley Infant School with their posters during their week long drug abuse, child abuse and non-communicable disease awareness programme that was organised by the Ministry of Education last week.
It is sad to contemplate the reality that all the health awareness drilled into our children becomes worthless, if we adults, parents and guardians, do not walk the talk but continue the unhealthy lifestyle without considering the healthy living our children want to be part of.
Vunimono High
Amrit Singh, Nausori
As an old scholar of Vunimono High School (VHS) I am proud that the school is excelling by introducing E-learning model system for students.
One major overhaul that VHS has taken now also is the introduction of a new projector for one of the Year 13 rooms, which can be accessed by touch.
We would have been proud if there was some technology of this nature introduced at my time, but nevertheless it’s quite pleasant to see the school excelling. Lately, a number of students of Year 13 also took part in the national budget consultation at Marist Brothers High School where the A-G was the chief guest.
These are proud moment for VHS. I hope the school will keep up the potential they have shown of late.
True fan
Wise Muavono, Lautoka
Isa, my friend Emil in Ba.
Now this is what I call a true/die hard Crusaders fan. He is willing to walk to Suva just to catch a glimpse of his favourite Super Rugby team. By hook or by crook, this fellow will be at the ANZ Stadium by 1935 hours today. Godspeed mate!
Godly visions
Lawrence Narayan, Suva
A prominent church pastor recently announced that God had given him a vision showing him that Mr Rabuka would be the new leader of SODELPA.
This was after the results were publicly announced.
Incidentally, the biblical method is that the visionary announcements are to be made well before the fulfillment of the actual events as a guide to believers and to prove whether the prophet is true or false depending on the outcome of events.
Furthermore, visions are to be accurate and precise in every detail as though the prophet had been transported into the future and had seen everything as it happened.
Today, in the Church Age not only pastors but all believers are indwelled by the Spirit of God. There is no mention of visions or dreams being used by God in any of the Epistles to the churches. The Epistles were written to instruct the early churches in all matters of doctrine and practice.
If the visions and dreams that some modern day Christians are having were from God then God would have given us a way to authenticate, interpret and verify them. Obviously, He has not and we must conclude the reason is that modern day visions and revelation are not from God.
It is clear from the above that there is no biblical support for believers having dreams and visions from God in this dispensation. God tells believers in the Bible He now speaks to us through His “Word” (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2Tim 3:16-17).
Rugby tickets
Narayan Reddy, Lautoka
So many of our people complain about cost of living, but they can still afford tickets to watch Super Rugby!
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj