A young woman’s dream to follow her mother’s footsteps and fulfill her father’s last wishes before he died came true yesterday.

Temalesi Buatoka, 26, could not express her emotions as she was hugged by her mother and principal lawyer at the Volavola Consultancy International, Kelera Buatoka-Volavola, during the admission with 29 other new lawyers to the Bar at the High Court in Suva.

Ms Buatoka said she had always wanted to be a lawyer and could only wished her father, Rokelei Buatoka, was around to witness the event.

“My dad died on my first year of doing my Bachelor of Law at USP. One f his final wishes was for me to complete my studies and I have fulfilled that. I can only wish he was here to see me finally be called a lawyer,” she said.

“I felt excited and emotional as well especially having my own mother here to support me. She has been a driving force for me.”

While moving her daughter’s name for admission before Chief Justice Anthony Gates yesterday, an emotional Mrs Buatoka said it was a proud moment for their family.

“She’s finally made it. She’s a fighter. She is one of my four children who have made life possible for me and just someone I can rely on to do anything for me,” she said.

Ms Buatoka will soon join an Australian regional organisation, Pacific Islands Law Officers Network in Samoa. She is expected to start work next month.

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