The beginnings of a ‘central’ settlement
A DRIVE along Suva’s Ratu Mara Rd can lead to the sight of more than 100 houses built close to each other.
This place is known to most locals as the Muslim League settlement, which houses people from all over Fiji, some from as far as Lau in the outer islands and as close as Nadonumai in Lami.
As one breathes in the air from the Muslim League settlement, you will most likely find the components of poverty and wealth because positioned right above it you will find houses owned or rented by privileged individuals who live at Bayview Heights.
It is unknown the exact date the settlement was first occupied.
According to one of the first settlers those who lived there now were the third and fourth generation of settlers.
Retired police personnel Sgt (retired) Jacob Joseph claims he’s the oldest living resident of the settlement, having lived there for more than three decades.
“The first people who came here are either dead or have migrated overseas,” he said.
“The people that are staying on this land now are the third or fourth generation of people.
“Some of the people may be born here, but the rest of the settlers came from all over Fiji.”
He says people prefer to live there because it is close to facilities such as hospitals, towns and schools.
“Even if you have no money, you walk because it is a central place.”
Mr Joseph was one of those people who had moved from his village to Suva in search of a better future.
Reliving the memories he garnered of when he first relocated to the settlement. He recalls when the place was just bushes.
“I grew up in Macuata, starting as a farmer cutting sugarcane and tending to root crops.
“Then I decided I wanted a better future for myself, so I moved to Suva in 1988 after the coup.
“I met my wife when I came to Suva and later married her and moved into this house, which was owned by my father-in-law.
He said his father-in-law has now migrated to America.
“That time this creek was really deep and all this open space was once bushes.”
Mr Joseph said back then, there weren’t many houses.
“This place was not developed yet and it was like a bush place. There was only a farm which was used by the Chinese people staying near Bayview Heights to plant cabbage and other vegetables.”
Unlike most, Mr Joseph took it upon himself to cut the long grass that would always somehow find its way back to the surface.
He says that then prime minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara had given authority for water and electricity to be supplied to their house.
“Ratu Mara put electricity and water for this house because my father-inlaw, being the chief cook at St Giles Hospital, introduced himself to the former prime minister. They would often drink grog together with other prominent leaders and talk about the issues regarding the people.”
He claimed throughout the years, governments past and present never implemented a proper plan for people living in squatter settlements.