Eldest Son Drowns, Plans for Ordination Dashed

Seremaia Kalokalo allegedly drowned while fetching freshwater mussels at Nawaka river.

‘I told my son that I will weave a mat, specifically woven for his ordination...’

Sera Rosi’s plan to weave a mat for the ordination of her eldest son, Seremaia Kalokalo was dashed last Friday.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said Mr Kalokalo, 37, drowned while diving for freshwater mussels in the Nawaka River in Nadi. Ms Naisoro said Mr Kalokalo was rushed to the Nadi Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Mr Kalokalo, who was from Nairai in the Lomaiviti Group, came with his parents three months ago to visit their brother at the Nawakalevu Settlement.

Ms Rosi said his son was a member of a church in the settlement. “When we came from Narai, he started attending the church and the pastor and the church members liked him because of his personality,” Ms Rosi said.

“Most of the time he would be with the pastor and his family.” The mother of four said Mr Kalokalo told her last week that he was going to be ordained as a pastor in that church.

“I told my son that before returning to the village, I will weave a mat, specifically woven for his ordination.

“It hurts me so much and I kept asking God why He had to take him so early,” she cried.

“He was always close to us. He said he wanted to farm and started a business so that he could build a house for us in the village.”

She added last Friday her son had planned with a neighbour to go and collect some freshwater mussels from the river.

“According to the neighbour, my son complained of lightheadedness while they were collecting freshwater mussels. He (neighbor) told him to rest for a while on the riverbank while he continued fetching mussels.

“After few dives he couldn’t see Seremaia where he was, but found his snorkel a few metres away. When he came near to it, he found him unconscious underwater. He called for villagers nearby for help and after many attempts, they could not revive him.”

“This was such a sad and hurtful Mother’s Day for me,” she said.

Photo: Mereleki Nai. Seremaia Kalokalo’s parents, Simeli Cokanasiga and Sera Rosi at Nawakalevu Settlement in Nadi. (Right: Mr Kalokalo).