A Mentor And A Trainer To Budding Reporters
Leone Cabenatabua is Fiji Sun’s managing editor publications/sports.
He has seen the tough earlier days and then the better days. The 46 year old started as a sports writer in 2000. Sixteen years later, the Cakaudrove man is still at it – but this time he is more of a mentor and trainer to budding reporters.
Here are some answers from our Q&A sent out to Mr Cabenatabua.
List some of the significant changes you’ve witnessed at the Fiji Sun?
We were the first newspaper to introduce colour. When it started it was only the front and back pages. Now almost all pages are coloured.
How our press unit has changed over the years…now it’s much, much bigger compared to the early days
Introduction of Digital, which is the future.
One of the toughest lessons you’ve learnt while here?
All things are possible through Team Work!
What has kept you at the Fiji Sun all these years?
Loyalty
What is unique about the company?
The family- like atmosphere.
What inspires you?
The early beginning! At one stage the company was a sinking ship. Many had jumped ship and I would not blame them for doing that. But it was only a few of us- perhaps we were hard nuts too crack back then, stayed with the Captain, the late Sundip Patel.
It was not easy but we managed to keep the ship afloat. For me it was the leadership qualities of our Captain during those tough times where we were right on the verge of closure- that inspires me right to this very day.
How has the Fiji Sun contributed in your career development?
A lot… but the Fiji Sun has taught an important lesson in life, you’ve got to be strong during tough times.
List three things that your colleagues don’t know about you?
- I had to cut cane and work in boats in order to pay for my tertiary education
- At home I’ve Edwin Louis Cole, Robert Kiyosaki and Sun Tzu books. When I need encouragement I go for one of Cole’s books. For business, real estate or investments, I turn to Kiyosaki’s collections. For strategy purposes it is Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
- I can’t stand holy, holy and boastful people.
This was published as part of the Fiji Sun 17th Anniversary Lift-out.
