Former political leader, music composer and singer, Ratu Manunivavalagi Korovulavula has passed away at the age of 89.
The family of the late Fiji army war veteran confirmed his passing in a statement saying Mr Korovulavula passed away after a short illness.
Mr Korovulavula who was also a former senator, was appointed Minister for Transport in the interim Cabinet in 2007, following the military coup on December 5, 2006.
He had also previously served in the Interim Cabinet after the 1987 coup.
He also held several government positions, among them was the CEO of Land Transport Authority.
Mr Korovulavula Korovulavula has also held positions as a sports administrator, being the chairman of the Fiji Sports Council in the 1980s and is a Life Member of the Fiji Basketball Federation.
He was leader a famous Fijian band the Southern Brothers in the 1950s to 1970s.
His hits included “Nuku Vulavula“, (Ena Veivei Gauna) “Vakanananu Lesu“, “Au Moce Buna Au Qai Tadra“, (Ni Lutu Na Yakavi Ena Toba Ko) “Suva“.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Fiji in the Republic of Fiji Honours List in the early 2000s for his services as administrator in the field of music, having co-founded the Fiji Composers Association and Fiji Performing Right Association and holding chairmanship of both organisations and helping improve the livelihood and welfare of Fiji musicians and composers.
He started as a soldier and fought in the Malayan campaign against the Chinese Communists in the 1950s and in 2014 he wrote a book about the Malayan campaign.
A funeral gathering will be held at his residence at 1 Whippy Street, Nabua from tomorrow, November 8, 2023, and a funeral service will be held at the Butt Street Wesley Church, Suva on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
The late Mr Korovulavula will be finally laid to rest at the Suva cemetery.
