117 and registered to vote
Age is no barrier for Adi Dionani Salaivanua. At 117, the woman from Navidamu Village in Macuata, Vanua Levu, is registered to vote in the upcoming 2018 General Election. Adi Dionani is believed to be the oldest Fijian registered to vote. Nacanieli Tuilevuka
Adi Dionani Salaivanua is believed to be the oldest Fijian to register to vote in this year’s general election.
The 117-year-old of Navidamu in Macuata, Vanua Levu, was born just after the turn of the century on January 1, 1901, at Nabouwalu, Bua.
Adi Dionani has 11 children, two of whom have died, 34 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Speaking on behalf of his grandmother, 40-year-old Pita Romaisau said Nau Dio - as she is fondly known - was eager to cast her vote in this election after missing out in the previous one.
“While my grandmother is not able to speak anymore, we interact through hand gestures and actions and she indicated her excitement to take part in the coming election,” Mr Romaisau said.
“A team from the Fijian Elections Office conducted a registration drive at the nearby Cadranasiga District School and that was where she got registered.
“And this was out of her free will and interest to have her voice heard through her vote.”
He said Adi Dionani had not decided yet which party to vote for and planned to surprise her family members when the day came. “But she has expressed her gratitude to the Government for the assistance rendered to her through the social welfare benefits, among others,” Mr Romaisau said. After living through a century on this earth, she has witnessed two of her own pass on.
“It is one of the most painful experiences that we saw her go through, but we are thankful that she still survives,” Mr Romaisau said.