Nadroga girl fulfils late grandmother’s dream
Zeba Ali travelled daily from Laselase Village to the University of the South Pacific to attend law classes
Zeba Ali’s hours of daily travel to attend law classes at the University of the South Pacific has finally paid off.
The Nadroga girl was among the 37 law graduates who were sworn into the bar on Friday marking the start of their legal career.
During the four and a half years that Ms Ali pursued her law degree and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, she travelled daily from her family home in Laselase Village to the University of the South Pacific.
Her ambitions to pursue law, she said, were borne out of her late grandmother’s dream for her. “I took up law because it was my grandmother’s dream for me and I am glad I have fulfilled her dream. Though she is no longer with us it is a privilege to be able to do something for her,” Ms Ali said.
“There were a lot of ups and downs while I was doing law. My grandmother passed away in 2016 and we also had a lot of land issues that we had to deal with and on top of that the COVID-19 restrictions hindered my travels.”
She said although travelling was hectic, as the only child, her responsibility of looking after her 38 cats and dogs and being close to her parents made it all worthwhile.
“I tried to look for a house to rent in Suva but nothing was within my budget so my dad advised me that he will cater for me so that I can travel daily and I am forever grateful to him for that,” she said.
“He gave me faith, hope and support to continue with my studies regardless of the struggles.”
Her advice to aspiring lawyers is that there is no substitute for hard work and, “If you strive for excellence you will reach your goal.”