A united Fiji under the noble banner blue
WE are eight days into the 10th month of 2022 and time is fast flowing, with memories lingering behind for Fijians. A lot is at stake in the coming days and weeks. This weekend sees Fijians celebrating the 52nd independence and coming together under the noble banner blue to cheer for the Fijiana which will take part in the Women’s RWC 15s tournament in the Land Down Under. There is no lack of football entertainment as the Courts IDC, which is being played at the HFC Bank Stadium, will bring out the best from players and patrons. Students and teachers take a week’s well-deserved break as the third term will be about preparations for the internal and external examinations. As I pen this piece, I allude to my vision of a united and prosperous Fiji under the noble banner blue. Happy Fiji Day fellow Fijians!
52nd Fiji Day celebrations set to unite Fijians
As we commemorate 52 years of Fiji’s independence, memories from October 10, 1970, when our beloved nation gained independence after being a British Colony for 96 years, come to the fore. The 52nd independence celebration reminds Fijians how far we have come as a strong and united nation. However, it is my hope that when we celebrate Independence Day, more emphasis will be placed on democracy, dialogue and talanoa, freedom of speech and expression, workers’ rights, reducing violence against women and children and impact of climate change, and press freedom, to list a few. This will make the 52nd Fiji Day celebration more meaningful. I’m thankful to God for allowing me to witness this momentous occasion. When we were small, Fiji Day to us was a public holiday – one that allowed us time from school to join our friends and play football, swim in the beautiful and pristine Savusavu waters, go out for a picnic and complete our homework. As I grew older, I realised what Fiji Day was about and the sacrifices that thousands of Fijians had made leading up to our independence. Times have changed and Fijians got ready for today. Shops were full of people buying their kalavata, shirts, tops, children’s clothes and other things associated with Fiji Day. The week has drained energy out of many Fijians as we join hands to celebrate our independence from Great Britain. As I reflect on that piece of rich history, I feel very fortunate and blessed that I was born in Fiji. Our country has seen good and bad days that divided and united us. As we celebrate independence, let us reflect on our past and try to make it better. The principles of love, togetherness and unity, tolerance and the inclusiveness approach must be used to bind Fijians and keep us united despite the trying times we face. This Fiji Day is special. It reminds us that in unity we can achieve so much. I miss my mum a lot as we commemorate this day for I’m sure if she was around she would have so much to share with us and her grandchildren about what she endured to become a teacher and serve her students and the nation. Fijians from all walks of life will converge on Monday to celebrate Fiji Day and as I wish my fellow Fijians a happy Fiji Day, I pay tribute to those who are not with us today, but played a significant role in our 52nd Independence Day celebration.
Saturday, October 8, will go down into the history book as the Rooster Chicken-sponsored Fijiana 15s side will battle England in their opening match of the RWC 15s tournament. In preparation for the tournament, the girls put their bodies to a tough test. They crossed tough terrains, breaking barriers and did not leave any stones unturned. The grueling sessions at the Naval Base in Togalevu will motivate the girls to give their best shot against world’s number one ranked side. The Fijiana 15s will debut in the RWC against former champion England at Eden Park in Auckland today on the opening day in the three pools of four-teams championship. The 12-nation tournament, which was postponed from 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held at two stadiums in Auckland and one in Whangarei in the Land Down Under from today to November
– 12. This is the first time the Fijiana team is taking part in the world event. Our first opponent, England, named a strong squad with the intention to win the tournament. The Fijiana 15s side is aware of the uphill battle they will face when they take on world number one England. It will always be a tough ask for the girls, who are ranked 21, to go up against the world number one side, and to do that in their first every rugby world cup. However, I believe the side has done everything possible in terms of preparations and is ready for England. I watched the Fijiana beat the NZ Wahine Maori and then lose to the third-ranked Canadians and I have confidence in the side’s ability. The Fijiana has only played 19 Tests in its history and won 10 and lost nine. England coach Simon Middleton has named a strong squad for the RWC tournament, boasting an experienced and fluid squad in Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Leanne Infante, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Sarah McKenna, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Lydia Thompson, Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Shaunagh Brown, Poppy Cleall, Amy Cokayne, Vickii Cornborough, Lark
Davies, Rosie Galligan, Sarah Hunter, Sadia Kabeya, Laura Keates,
Alex Matthews, Maud
Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Marlie Packer, Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling and Abbie Ward.
The Sarah Hunter-led explosive side is on an unstoppable 25-match winning streak and has most bases covered. It is powerful up front and has pace out wide and will be looking to go one better than 2017, when the side lost in the final to the Black Ferns. The Roses form over the past year suggests they will be hard to stop. The side won this year’s Six Nations tournament and is a well-oiled machine. In the previous RWCs, England finished runners-up in 1991, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2017, finished third in 1998 and won the Cup in 1994 and 2014. In its last five results, England beat Wales 73-7, USA 52-14, France 24-12, Ireland 69-0 and Wales 58-5. The Fijiana v England match will unite people as Fijians from all walks of life will join hearts to cheer for the Fijiana.
... I wish my fellow Fijians a happy Fiji Day, I pay tribute to those who are not with us today, but played
a significant role in our 52nd Independence Day celebration
Rajnesh Lingam
Teachers Day was celebrated in various schools around Fiji. The largest teacher union in Fiji, the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), celebrated the day at their headquarters on Wednesday, October 5. The chief guest for the function was Govind Singh, who is the secretary general of the Council of Pacific Education and was a robust school administrator. Mr Singh was the president of the Fiji Management Association and was a vibrant member of FTU. Mr Singh delivered an inspirational and motivational speech which was well-received by those in attendance. FTU general secretary, Agni Deo Singh, who is the longest-serving general secretary and is the powerhouse behind the union’s success, also addressed members in attendance. A cake-cutting ceremony was organised as well. Executives and members of FTU Suva, Rewa, Nasinu, Navua and union stalwarts attended the teacher’s day ceremony. At Nabua Secondary School, teacher’s day was celebrated together with Fiji Day on Thursday. The celebration was a success.
The curtain for term two of the academic year 2022 came to an end on Thursday. Time flies and now is the opportune time to sit back and reflect on the academic term that was. Experiences from those good and bad memories should show us the way forward. As the school holidays begin, it is only right that parents monitor the whereabouts of their children and ensure that worthwhile activities are set. Parents must take extreme care if their children would be staying at home by themselves. Looking at the rising incidents, I plead with every parent to ensure their child is supervised by an adult or relative, who is trustworthy. Our children’s welfare and safety depends on our loving and caring attitude. I remember as a school student how much we longed for the holidays. We spent our time playing marble, football, gulli danda, swimming and helping our parents on the farm. I wish our children blessed and safe holidays. I thank our hardworking teachers who gave their best to educate our children. Our gurus deserve a well-earned school break to allow them to prepare for the challenges and expectations that will start on October 17. Wishing teachers and students an adventurous, fun-filled, rewarding and happy holidays!
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