Fiji Day- Honouring Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi
Earlier this morning, I was enveloped by the chorusing voices of a Methodist choir and a deep sense of mourning that spanned far beyond the docks of the tiny island I stood on. Had it been another time, I would have been in a state of wonder, mesmerized by the elements of history and culture emanating from within the island of Bau. Instead, I felt a deep sense of loss, watching the diverse crowds gathering to farewell the late Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.
I didn't know him personally. Everything I knew about him came from his writing, different television clips during his time as Vice President of Fiji, public panels and now, from tributes and reflections shared by those that loved him. A true son of Fiji, they called him. Someone who stood for what was right. Someone who believed in standing for what was right. This man was very much admired and loved by many people, some of whom I know personally and look up to.
Surrounded by all this sadness, I thought for a moment about what this meant for me and others from my generation. It's sad to realize we'd lost a bright star that many in this country over-looked for gem mines that would only leave us barren and waste in the future. Here was a man, who believed in the kind of progress that meant inclusion, peace, justice and respect for human rights. He was steadfast in this, even when the tides turned against him, he never compromised his stand.
For me, he was a light in parts of our history that was overcast with political struggles and division. As a lover of poetry and writing, Ratu Joni's eloquence was something I greatly admired. I'd read anything he'd written and attended panels that he spoke at, awed at how brilliantly he would unravel the critical and national issues we faced without an ounce of bitterness. Instead, he seemed always to have an enduring love and patience for this country.
So while I stood in the wooden church building, situated on a hilly top of Bau island, awaiting the casket overlaid with the banner blue, I reflected on myself and some that I knew from my generation. Somewhere along the way, we helped put bricks into the wall of illusion that we were going the right direction. We are the generation of acceptance and compromise, but not for each other and not for diversity. Instead, we've crossed over into the realms of complacency for a flawed ideology of progress that's been fed to us since birth. We have a lot to learn from Ratu Joni and sadly, from now on, that would only be through the pages of history books and reflections. He is someone we should all aspire to be like because he lived what he preached.
I saw this as a wake-up call for young people. We can't abandon the dark tinges of our current reality with the older generation to deal with. It's also ours to bear and I'm not saying, we have to stand on hill tops and wave play-cards (which would also be awesome) but we can live as an example. We can build bridges in the background, the way Ratu Joni did. We can lead and be empowered without compromising our integrity and character.
It's an important lesson for me, especially with Fiji day just around the corner. It's not just another day to puff out our chests in patriotism and wave blue flags. We have a habit of shrugging off reality on that day contrary to it's significance in our history. We've come so far since Independence but remained in a loop since 1987.
This Fiji Day is already tainted with the loss of greatness but it's a chance to change the narrative. Let Fiji Day be the time of reflection and truths.
Rest in peace, Ratu Joni,
