Chiefs want national unity

Fiji’s progress requires cross-cultural collaboration to overcome historical racial divisions and build a better future, says Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula.  

Ratu Viliame's call for national unity follows questions on the GCC’s position in relation to the national healing process associated with the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  

In an exclusive interview with the Fiji Sun, Ratu Viliame supported the work of the commission, however said its success relied on participants being honest and accepting apologies.  

He emphasised that Fiji was a traumatic nation, with history of colonialism, cannibalism, and multiple political coups, and the country needed healing.  

“You can't blame anybody for our history. But unfortunately, it's in our blood. It's affected us,” he said.  

However, Ratu Viliame said the chiefs' position was clear, Fiji needed other races to progress. 

“If every other race left Fiji, we'd be doing exactly what we were doing to cause more pain to the country.” 

Ratu Viliame said since October this year, there were 28 young men studying Diploma in Vanua Leadership in Nadave – a hands-on training that allows these individuals to understand and learn the revitilisation of traditional leadership for a modern era. 

“We'll be reaching out to the members of the business from other races to come in to talk to them about the challenges they face, so as young leaders, they understand that not everybody was born with a silver spoon in their mouth.    

“A lot of these Indo Fijian businesspeople, they struggled, they worked hard to get to where they are.   

“We really need to make them understand that they must be leaders of all people, not just for iTaukei.”   

Ratu Viliame said to move forward, we must learn from the past. 

“We can't let history hold us back. We can't let history keep us stagnant where we are because that's in the past.”