Ratu Tevita Momoedonu will be remembered as a leader who responded to some of the Fijian nation’s most challenging chapters – even though he held the shortest term in office as prime minister.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama shared this at the funeral service of the Taukei Sawaieke at Viseisei, Vuda yesterday.
He said the sheer number of people in attendance was a testament to Ratu Tevita’s contribution to the nation.
“The year 2000 was one of the toughest Fiji has ever known, our nation was marred in political and deadly violence, amid that crisis and confusion the nation urgently called on Ratu Tevita to serve this country,” he said.
“The late president Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda appointed him as prime minister twice in May of 2000 and March of 2001 to assist with the transition of government and at both times he answered those calls not in the selfish pursuit of higher office but for the simple reason that his nation needed him.”
He said Ratu Tevita was indeed the man that moment in history demanded, a man of peace and a man who above all put Fiji first.
Ratu Tevita, 74, was laid to rest at the chiefly village yesterday in a funeral attended by hundreds who gathered to pay their last respects to the late chief.
He is survived by his wife Kolora Momoedonu, five children, 26 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
(This article was published in The Fiji Times on Saturday, December 05, 2020)
