Sosene: Listen to your elders
Lemauga Lydia Sosene, 52, lives in Favona and is a list candidate for the Labour Party.
In the lead up to the general election, we go behind the billboards and party colours to give you a ‘first person’ insight into the aspiring candidates. We are publishing their images in black and white so you can get to see them as people not just as politicians and their political brands. #gettingcandid
Getting candid: How long have you lived here and where are you originally from?
Born and raised in South Auckland attending school and tertiary education. Our family did live in Henderson as my parents purchased their first house [there in the] late 60s; my own family lived in Grey Lynn and Ponsonby for nearly ten years.
Give me three words that come to mind when I say ‘South Auckland’?
Colourful, Courageous, Cultured.
Where’s the best place to buy dinner in your electorate?
Mangere Town Centre precinct.
What’s one piece of wisdom you’d like to pass on to others, particularly young people?
Listen to your elders, they are wise and know what they’re talking about having once lived life as a young person.
What’s one trial or struggle that you’ve overcome?
Public Speaking.
Who is the Kiwi you admire most - and why?
My parents – both migrated from Samoa 1950s and married. My father was a Reverend, and were founding ministers EFKS Otara church mid-1960s, then founding ministers EFKS Papatoetoe early 1970s. Both worked weekly and Saturdays raising their family; Sundays, church duties morning and evening. They provided and sacrificed so much for us kids growing up, including support for many of our extended families here and overseas.
When I’ve got a free few hours I like to…
Work in my garden or sit quietly with no distractions, reflect and read. Otherwise go for a walk or a bike ride locally.
Housing, Health, Education and Jobs. Not enough housing is the greatest problem. How did we get into this situation, not enough houses have been built over the last number of years. Homelessness and sub-standard Boarding Houses in Mangere also needs to be addressed immediately. The overall Health of the people in Mangere is another issue, costs of going to the Doctors and prescription charges. If people cannot afford it they will not got to the Doctors and remain unwell. Some children arrive to school hungry, more work for the most vulnerable families in a coherent co-ordinated manner of the relevant government and agencies tasked with this. Labour has announced a number of policies relevant to everyday circumstances of people in our community.
‘‘Listen to your elders, they are wise and know what they're talking about.’’