Macuata cousins admitted as lawyer

Semi Qamesa,23 from Qelemumu in Macuata achieved a major milestone following his admission as a new legal practitioner in Suva on Friday.

A good fraction of his early years at university was familiarizing himself with the new urban environment.

This was because he schooled in Bua until he completed his Year 13.

Then he was not the first from his village to do law.

Mr Qamesa soon discovered there was another student in his class also from his village.

“As relatives we vowed to be first lawyers from our village – so today (yesterday) there are two of us, marking an important milestone,” he said.

“Our achievement is not only personal but significant for people back home, as it could help improve access to legal knowledge and justice for those in rural areas.”

Mr Qamesa hopes his journey will inspire other young people in Fiji, especially those from rural communities, to pursue their dreams.

He encourages youths to face challenges with determination, maintain a positive attitude and remain strong in faith while working towards their goals with.

Maternal links to Nasavu in Lau, Mr Qamesa said the moment was both exciting and nerve-wracking as he prepares to begin his professional journey.

He said completing his studies was made possible through faith and the constant support of his family, who encouraged him through prayers, guidance and motivation.

However, the path to becoming a lawyer was not without challenges. Growing up in a rural area, he said one of the biggest hurdles was adjusting to life in Suva when he moved there to study. The change from village life to the busy urban environment was difficult at the start.

Despite the challenges, he remained focused on his goal and successfully completed his studies.