Thoughts on 2014 Elections in Fiji

My thoughts on the Elections in 2014

This September, I will be looking forward to several things aside from the many birthday parties at home on that month, Fiji will also be having Elections for the first time since the Coup D' Etat on December 5, 2006. Fiji has has four coups and one putsche since independence. This will signal the return to rule of law in Fiji.

When the Coup was executed in 2006, I was seated in the High Court as Junior Counsel to Senior Counsel Peter Maiden who is now a Judge in New South Wales where we were defending Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka who at the time was facing multiple charges related to mutiny. The Judge that presided was Justice Winter. I can still vividly recall the room that we were in, was ironically the former Parliamentary Chambers where in 1987 the client we were defending in 2006 had hoisted Fiji's first coup on 14th May, since independence in 1970. We were briefly interrupted to be notified of the Coup. Suffice to say, Rabuka was acquitted and the State's Appeal the following year against the Acquittal was dismissed.

That day in 2006, the memo that was circulated by the Judges and signed by all Judges present at the time that they would promise to uphold the rule of law is still part of my collection to remind me of Fiji's turbulent history.

In 1987, I can recall the divide that I witnessed stemming from the usurpation of authority. Usurpation of authority in any form is wrong. However, given the trend in Fiji where coups are deemed as fashionable, the only way to cease coups is to develop a culture of openness where people can frankly engage in discussions and collaboration but who are driven by common purpose that supersedes their differences. To walk into a mature Fiji, it will require mature leaders who are willing to sacrifice and lay down their enmity for the greater good. I do not want to see Fiji spiral into a South Sudan situation where two leaders who are so caught up in self preservation that they forget that leadership is and always has been about the people. I hope that those who intend to stand in the 2014 elections be willing to lay down their swords, their self interest for the greater good.

Today in January 2014, I declare that I will vote and participate in the elections.

When I vote I don't want to vote for any person holding any resentment, bitterness and grudges because I have seen the toxicity of how it spills over to the country as a whole.

I want to vote for those who genuinely believe in #Fiji and want to see it developed. I am looking to vote for those who have character, integrity and ability to be redemptive to those that have offended them. When I think of Mohandas K. Gandhi (Mahatma) and Nelson Mandela (Madiba), two great men who were imprisoned physically yet their spirits were not imprisoned and they responded with maturity and never with seeds of "bitterness", I know that we can have leaders who have not been contaminated by toxicity and bitterness.

I do not want to see meaningless debates happening in parliament that focus on personality attacks and less on the issues when the ordinary men and women of Fiji continue to suffer.

Whilst I want to see change, I don't want "change" for "change's" sake but that is clear and tangible. I want to know what your thoughts are on economic development, trade, competition, mining, sea bed exploration, en community development, health care, infrastructure, education etc.

I don't want to hear #Whining #whinging. I don't want to elect people who act like they are still in #kindergarten but want to elect #leaders who inspire confidence and show #maturity Change starts with us as #individuals in our own #backyard! I want to see leaders build a #Fiji until she becomes a #beacon of #hope! That is the Fiji I want to see!

The 10km walk - WE DID IT!

I woke up this morning at around 5:30am and quickly got ready for the walkathon. The fresh fruit juice made of lemon grass, lemons was now deliciously semi frozen and made steps to quickly get myself to the Bowling Club. I was accompanied by my cousin, Lujee who was off duty as it was her day off from the hospital. After picking up Mele, we sped through to the Bowling Club to meet Julz who was there with Liam. A good number of people from the community was there for the walkathon.

The air was fresh and cool and the temperature was perfect. For some weird reason, I had high energy and was energetic during the walk contrary to what I was dreading. I did discover that it actually helps to psyche yourself up mentally for something.

It was really great to see people fishing out in the sea. The smell of the ocean lapping against the sea wall and seeing the local community walking was also great.WE DID IT! I am so glad that the walkathon is finally over! Yes, we actually walked 10 km and it was #superawesome

 I would like to thank all my sponsors:
1. Jiuria Fimone Narayan
2.Mele Rakai
3. Lusia Tinairokomokoti
4.Litia  Makutu
5.Priscilla Lockington
5.Hilda Lobendahn
6.Siteri Saro
7.Lily T. Baleimakutu
8.Pulekeria Low
9.Unaisi Tikinatabua
10.Meresiana Tamani
11.Asenaca Tamanikaiwaimaro
12. Timaima Vulimailaucala

Special thanks to three of my sponsors who joined me on the walk - Jiuria (Julz) and Liam, Mele (Loiloi) and Lusia (Lujee)!!! Thank you for the warm support and felt your contribution each step of the way.

I must say that it was only till we had completed the walk that I felt the exhaustion and it was straight to breakfast then home for me! What a day! Today's win was conquering the fear of "exercise". This is deeply ironic coming from a former sports-a-holic! Baby steps for now.

Ides of March - one more day to the Walkathon

There is a newly elected Pope, China has a new President Xi Jinping and a new leader for the Communist Party, the former Leader of the Khmer Rouge Iang Sary is now deceased and European Union leaders are wrestling with austerity as they gather in Brussels to discuss their fears and concerns. These momentous events are all happening in a very interesting time in the Roman calendar - the ides of March.
 
It's amazing how a zillion different events happen at the same time every where - the interconnectedness of our world and the vastness of life never ceases to amaze me.
 
 Meanwhile, in my world, the count down accelerates and it's one more day to Walkathon and all I can remember is my high school walkathon and how much fun it was stopping at refreshment tents for icy cold milo drinks. The weather today is nice and sunny and very breezy where I live. I am sure that if my compound was the ocean and my home was a ship with sails, there would be enough wind to carry this vessel to the next port. If only there was guava juice nearby as I am dying for some cold fruit juice, not the kind out of packets but blended fresh fruit.

One of the best bits about living in a country where it is summer all year around, is that there is an abundance of fresh fruit. The smell of freshly cut lawn, and chirping of birds fills the air. In less than 24 hours, we will begin the Walkathon, I am not excited and neither am I dreading it, now.

Getting Ready: Walkathon - 2 days to go

In less than 48 hours, I will be joining others in the walkathon. I woke up this morning to check my gear. I am wondering whether I will have enough energy to want to swim afterwards or go for a dip. I have got to get some new tunes into my IPOD.

My dread for walking is slowly changing into excitement as I now have two friends and two cousins joining me on my walk. I am more excited about doing this with them. I am off to breakfast, can smell warm toast calling my name.

I have just been informed that the walkathon will not start at 5am but will commence at 7am instead. Not sure whether that's a good thing as I was looking forward to the coolness of the morning as opposed to blistering hot sun. Maybe this calls for freezing some coconut juice the night before. Hmmmmm.....

Walkathon - 3 days to go

 March 13th, 2013
Yes, I am not looking forward to walking 10km as I am unfit and not physically active. I am dreading the walk but am glad that the walk will start from 5am before the crack of dawn. At least, it won't be ridiculously hot and I am making a mental note to psyche myself up for the walk.

The walkathon is a community fundraiser and is for a good cause. I am glad that I will have Julz and Loi to walk with me so that will keep us busy chatting and walking. I miss Julz and have'nt caught up with her in ages.

I am also grateful to all my sponsors who have committed to giving funds to the Drive whilst I walk. My one consolation is that I will now be able to test my canvas which has only seen the gym once since I bought it earlier this year. I hope there will be checkpoints and refreshments as I am sure I will be like "dead on arrival". The walkathon is a fundraising initiative for a Capacity Building Camp during the Easter Weekend in Novotel, Lami which will see Oceania converge.

"Shinem yaar"

Every morning, a familiar sight in front of Dolphin Plaza are sturdy young men with black grease marking their hands, alongwith cheese cloth calling out "shine". Where, once I used to be irate as they would haggle and hassle me for a "shine", I have since changed how I see them. They are earning a decent living and doing the best that they can of their respective situations. A dollar for a shine. Imagine if Suva City Council "SCC" were to give out licences at affordable prices and that booths (professional booths) were set up to allow them to polish shoes to their hearts content. A chap, I met at an Embassy function last year once suggested that cycling should be encouraged in Suva and that it would help reduce parking space, apart from producing a fitter and healthier community, well at least to cyclists. How do we help the majority of our young people who have taken to the streets, what kind of systems do we need to design to cater for them and to ensure that we get the best out of them and for them? I am not even sure, if I am asking the right question. What are the right questions?

1. Why are these young men on the streets [What are the causes?] ?
2. How do we curb this problem?
3. How do we make the best out of the situation?
   

Man on the Street

The other night, not too long ago, I stepped out of my home, I live in the heart of Suva and I saw this Fijian man sweeping the streets in the silence of the night and I thought to myself how the nation is filled with hundreds of men and women who silently contribute to building the nation, many of whom will never be seen, who will never receive standing ovations but whose invaluable contribution to society weaves a tapestry so tight that in it the dreams and destinies of a nation rests.

This man, probably has a family and takes home his meagre earnings, puts his children through school, trains and builds his family. He probably has a dog called "Rambo" or not. He swept the streets, so diligently, that my heart swelled when I saw the robust effort that he put into his work.