Seruvatu: PM’s Tie Maker

If you wondered where the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama got the colourful neckties he was spotted wearing in Parliament this week, ask Marica Nukutabu Seruvatu and she’ll tell you.

The caterer-recently-turned-tailor is doing this for her five sons, one of whom will be starting tertiary studies next year.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, and leader of Government in Parliament Inia Seruiratu, with matching neckties in Parliament on December 8, 2020. Photo: Parliament News

Ms Seruvatu got a pleasant surprise when she spotted the PM as well as leader of Government in Parliament, Inia Seruiratu, wearing matching Fijian flag-inspired ties on Tuesday.

She had gifted Mr Bainimarama four of her newfound creations and a few days later he contacted her and ordered 30 to pay for.

“I am a caterer and I love to cook. That was how I earned money from the catering that I did,” said the woman from Nukuloa Village in Gau.

“When the pandemic struck I saw that there were many people reverting to the catering business. So competition was stiff.

“I told myself I had to do something else, something unique, something not many people were doing because I have a family and a husband to support.

“I went onto Pinterest and YouTube and I was really interested in the making of neckties so I thought of trying it out.”

She said she was grateful and humbled by the enthusiasm of the Prime Minister in supporting cottage industries like hers to sustain her family.

Mrs Seruvatu sells neck ties from colourful unique bula prints for $15 a piece.

She operates from her family home in Raiwai with the help of her mother and sister-in-law as orders are beginning to pick up.

Call her on 7578979 to place your orders.

Feedback:  inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj