Sacred Heart College Dux aims high: "Why not Fiji's first female PM?"

Sacred Heart College’s dux Anna Matawalu once dreamed of becoming Fiji’s first female Prime Minister, and at 19, she refuses to call it far-fetched.

“When I was in primary school, I learnt that we never had a female Prime Minister before,” Matawalu said after scooping the prestigious award yesterday.

“I’d always tell people I would become a female Prime Minister. Now that I’m older, it might seem far-reached but hey, there's always time to overcome that.”

The eldest daughter from Maumi, Tailevu, took home nearly every subject award except English, excelling in Mathematics, History, Geography and Economics.

She achieved 96 per cent in History, 95 per cent in both Geography and Life Mathematics, 80 per cent in Economics, and 70 per cent in English.

Matawalu also scooped the highest achiever award for the 2024 Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination.

She said her achievement stemmed from watching her family struggle to raise her and her sister.

“I made a conscious choice that I was going to choose every day to make myself better,” Matawalu said.

“It was an everyday thing where I’ll wake up and choose to go to school, choose to show up to class.”

The Pure Arts student overcame mental health challenges during her journey.

“The biggest challenge would have been getting over my fears of what people might think if I just step out,” Matawalu said.

“Don’t sell yourself short. You can try and you can choose to try each day.”

She dedicated the award to her grandmother who raised her.

“She gave everything to us, not to spoil us but in an intentional way of knowing that we need those things,” Matawalu said.

“She has taught me so much about morals and my culture.”

Matawalu encouraged young girls to seize opportunities.

“We live in a time where success is so easy for girls and that’s what I love,” she said.

“I implore all young girls to take the chance.”

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