Tui Yasawa Funeral Today
Tui Yasawa, Ratu Jone Cakautavatava, will be laid to rest today at his ancestral burial ground of Vatanitawake, within his village in Yasawa I Rara. Ratu Jone, 77, is the chief of Bukama, Yasawa-i-Rara, Teci, Dalomo, Nabukeru, and Tamusua villages. According to a family member, the late chief died at home last Tuesday following a brief illness. Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru offered his condolences to the family. Mr Saukuru said Ratu Jone served his vanua and the province of Ba well. “Thank you very much for your service to the vanua, the province of Ba, no doubt you will be missed as you touched our hearts,” he said.
Ratu Jone was recognised in 2015 after his predecessor, Ratu Etuate Vatanitawake Cakautavatava, died in March 2012.
In 2016, he was installed as Tui Yasawa.
Government tribute
team pays
Meanwhile, a Government delegation, led by Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, and Education, Viliame Gavoka, paid their respects on Wednesday night at Namoli Village in Lautoka.
Eparama Laba Cakau of the Ba Provincial Office expressed the Government’s sincere condolences.
“We bring the condolences of the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Cabinet Ministers, and civil servants.” “Despite ongoing parliamentary sessions this week, the Coalition Government promptly came down today to pay its last respects to the late Ratu Jone Cakautavatava, na Turaga na Tui Yasawa.”
Ratu Jone served as Tui Yasawa for 15 years, demonstrating his commitment and service to his community. His lasting impact and leadership have left a significant imprint.
Kamenieli Matai Sadrata, the spokesman for the Yasawa-i-Rara community, thanked the Government delegation. Ratu Jone is survived by his wife Ana, eight children, 14 grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild