Nepani footpaths
Tomasi Boginiso,
Suva
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Its seems our prayers have been answered as this week we noticed that our roadside has been cleared.
We, the Nepani residents have noticed that the new Nepani subdivision is almost complete with footpaths, driveways and walkways. It would have been better if the old Nepani Housing subdivision had, had the same development.
With the Laqere Market near completion and maybe with more development around the corner, there is no better time than the foreseeable future to have the footpaths ready.
It will also be a boost for the school children walking home comfortably. Drivers would also be cautioned of where to go and where not to go.
Vinaka to the relevant authorities for making this possible.
Provincial Council Meet
Tukai Lagonilakeba,
Nadi
I was very fortunate to be able to observe at the Nadroga and Navosa provincial Council Meeting at the Nahigatoka Village on Tuesday and I was also present at the Ba Provincial Council Meeting at Viseisei Village respectively on Wednesday.
On both occasions the weather was perfect with both the traditional ceremonies performed to perfection by both their Yasana youths under the supervision of their elders.
It was great to witness the passionate and responsible slow change of batons and those present were guaranteed that the iTaukei traditions and customs at least from these two very large provinces, would definitely survive well into the future.
It was also great and reassuring to see the high chiefs of both the provinces freely mingling, and sharing their concerns with our Prime Minister. He knows the chiefs’ names and their traditional titles by heart, which makes a lot of difference in his capacity as Minister for iTaukei Affairs.
Sitting next to each other in front of the chiefly meeting house at Viseisei was the Taukei Werelevu Vunisei the Turaga Tui Vuda Ratu Kitione Tavaiqia with the chief guest and Minister for iTaukei Affairs Voreqe Bainimarama.
It was good to see them laugh away at their jokes and discussions. Great support was shown and accorded to the PM indeed on his leadership from these Western chiefs of the two provinces.
I observed on both days that many Fijians of Indian and Muslim descent together with Fijians of European descent turned up at the village boundaries to enquire if they can be allowed to enter the village and be part of the PM’s talanoa session on Day One simply because the PM was the chief guest and they wished to meet him personally to bring their issues to his attention, but they were turned away as I heard explained to them that it was for the iTaukei only.
These Fijians are all part and parcel in the development and success of these two provinces for more than one hundred years and they should never be shunned, but allowed to partake in the talanoa sessions held anywhere in the country, irrespective of the venue or which province it is in.
They have every right as stakeholders and should not be discriminated against. Better still, a resolution can be obtained from all the 14 provinces of our republic to determine their participation.
These Fijians are always welcomed in any iTaukei village during a chiefly installation, death, wedding or a during the birth of a new born.
There are inter-marriages between all races which makes every Fijian inter-dependent, inter-denominational, inter-religious and inter-related as guaranteed in our 2013 Constitution. So what is the difference? Or aren’t we a multiracial society for that matter?
May be the iTaukei Affairs Act and Policy should be amended to accommodate the change. There is nothing to hide as we all live side by side in our everyday lives, but let’s face the truth, a majority of these Fijians are very successful business people and sugarcane farmers of the Western Division and there is a lot we iTaukei from these provinces can learn from them.
Those that live and work in these two provinces can proudly call themselves Kai Valley Road, Kai Nadro, Kai Baravi and Kai Nadi, Kai Vuda, Kai Vitogo, Kai Tavua or Kai Ba irrespective of what province in Fiji they originate from.
When Fijians unite, Fiji becomes a better productive country where we will all equally share in our many collective successes.
iTaukei voters
Amenatave Yaconisau,
Delainavesi
Elections tackle many issues, one of which is the loss of customary laws and application of equality and liberty to all which we all want in a competitive party system.
Nemani Delaibatikis's analysis about SODELPA and challenges to get iTaukei votes suggests that there is some degree of control over political rights. Despite the stirrings within, let's see their policies.
Military dictators reflect dominant ethnic powerful classes. With skills learned in India, it may be used to suppress others.
Fiji and FIFA World Cup
Sukha Singh,
Labasa
I am just wondering why Fiji can't go and play in the soccer World Cup.
I have seen a lot of players score goals from afar just like they do in the World Cup.
I always remember a shot I took while practicing at the Suva Grammar School ground, which went through one goal mouth into the second ground and hit a guy jogging on the opposite ground and knocking him out cold for more than half an hour.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj
