Niumaia Rakaleba was named winner of the Radio Fiji One Father’s Day singing competition, while Moape Vuladua was the winner for Bula FM.

Mr Rakaleba, 74, a former musician and Mr Vuladua is a retired welder who took part in the competition.

Mr Rakaleba, who is from Tokatoka, Tailevu, felt happy to share with the audience a gospel song he had learned when he was six-years-old.

“I used to sing for a local band called Caucau Ni Waimanu in 1964 and from the 14 people that were part of that band only three of us are still alive,” he said.

“I just wanted to see if I could do those things I used to do in the old days.”

The band started in 1964 and did their last recording in 1984.

The song that Mr Rakaleba had sung was Just a closer walk with thee, which he last sung with his Sunday school group in 1949.

“Before I never used to like gospel songs as a young boy and I used to sing all sorts of songs. But as I grow older I liked listening and singing gospel songs. I felt I was fulfilling something when I saw that people were singing along with me,” said Mr Rakaleba.

He acknowledged the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation for organising such an event saying that many fathers are never treated during Father’s Day celebration.

Mr Vuladua, 63, who had sung again after three years, said he heard about the competition over the radio and decided to give it a try.

Three years ago he used to sing for the church and he felt happy that the song he sang at the competition was a gospel song.

The song was Never been this homesick before.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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