SODELPA seek blessing from vanua
Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka said this had to be done before campaign starts
The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) earlier this week visited Bau Island seeking the blessing of the vanua before their 2018 election campaign proper kicks off.
Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka said they were simply adhering to traditional iTaukei protocols.
“We went to Bau to ask for clearance to enter into the Tailevu area.” The SODELPA delegation was received by Ratu Epenisa Cakobau. He approved of their visit.
Last week they visited the four chiefly households of Ra - Gonesau, na Tui Nalawa, Tu Navitilevu and Ratu i Natauia. The party was also given the go ahead to begin their campaign.
The party will be visiting other provinces to do the same.
In Narewa on Tuesday, the SODELPA Nadi Youth group was formed. Today Mr Rabuka will be travelling to the United States of America to speak to Fijians there. He will be accompanied by his wife Sulueti and party general-secretary, Adi Litia Qionibaravi.
Mr Rabuka is expected to hold discussions with Fijian church members, Queen Victoria School old boys and ex-servicemen. SODELPA candidates will be named in June.
“This is to get everyone to go out and not just the headquarters - the sooner, the more help we have on the ground,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Rabuka has been active on Facebook, replying and commenting on issues.
He said that using social media is a call for politicians like himself “to be savvy to information technology and use it to our advantage, noting that we are also vulnerable to being abused or to have our input into social media conversations twisted or used in counter attack. “The use of social media is very important, because those you may not be able to meet, you can access by social media.”