NFP must prepare next generation of leaders: Qereqeretabua

National Federation Party (NFP) vice-president Lenora Qereqeretabua says the party must begin thinking seriously about its next chapter by preparing a new generation of leaders.

Speaking during the party’s working committee meeting in Rakiraki yesterday, Ms Qereqeretabua said respect for past achievements should not prevent the party from planning for the future.

“Every successful political movement eventually reaches a point where renewal becomes necessary. Every organisation must ask itself whether it is developing or not,” she said.

The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs said leadership change was inevitable and the key question was whether the party was preparing for it responsibly and with its long-term interests in mind.

“Strong political parties do not fear succession because they understand that leadership renewal is a sign of confidence, not weakness,” she said.

“They identify capable individuals, give them responsibility, expose them to decision-making and allow them to develop the skills and experience required for leadership.”

She said institutions became stronger when leadership was continually renewed and refreshed.

“We must begin to prepare new leaders to take on greater responsibility within the party,” she said.

“We must create opportunities for new voices to emerge and for new ideas to be heard. We must ensure that the future direction of the party is not determined by circumstance or crisis, but by thoughtful planning and deliberate preparation.”

Ms Qereqeretabua said leadership renewal should be viewed as an opportunity to build on the party’s achievements and strengthen its appeal to future generations.

“The true measure of any leader is whether the organisation remains strong after they have left office,” she said.

“If we are serious about the future of the National Federation Party, then we must be equally serious about building the leadership that will carry the party forward over the next decade and beyond.”

“We inherited it from those who came before us, and we have an obligation to leave it stronger than when we found it,” she said.

“That requires us to think beyond our own roles and beyond our own time in leadership. Renewal is not a threat to legacy, but one of the most important ways of preserving it.”