Fijian Drua hooker Zuriel Togiatama is a player to watch this season. Togiatama, who shares maternal links to Bua in Vanua Levu, is a dedicated, skillful and strong player, having been born to Niuean and Fijian parents.
Sharing his story (FT: 04/01), sportswriter Anasilini Natoga shared that, “His unique heritage is a source of pride and inspiration. Being half Niuean and half Fijian, he brings a multicultural perspective to the game, embodying the spirit of rugby as a unifying force.”
Togiatama brings with him heaps of skills and expertise, having represented the Counties Manukau Steelers, being part of the Chiefs development squad and captaining the Counties U19s.
As the Super Rugby Pacific season approaches, Togiatama aims to build on his experiences, striving for excellence and leadership within the Drua squad.
I’m glad that the versatile hooker has been a work in progress, refining his skills on the field and maintaining a balanced lifestyle of it.
He aims to be better than he was last year, and I’m adamant that he will deliver and strengthen his performance and leadership, both on and off the rugby field.
All the best!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Mayor of Martintar
I think the Minister for Tourism has done a knee jerk reaction in Martintar.
I suggest he should appoint Ronnie Chang as the “Mayor of Martintar”. We all know that Ronnie has all the solutions to the problems in Martintar and because he has lived there a long time.
Once he has fixed the problems in Martintar and every household there has an extra loaf of bread, he can then move on to Nadi and all other cities and towns one by one.
By election time, Ronnie will be set to become the next prime minister. And rightly so, because we all know the current prime minister and his government are totally useless.
Jan Nissar, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Way forward
I see 2025 as promising but it will only be promising if our leaders look very seriously and addressing the issues I will raise in parts.
Part One- Rape: Can the prison terms of rapists be raised to life imprisonment without any chance of parole?
Our families are being torn apart — our Fijian way of life is being threatened by fathers raping their children, grandfathers raping their grandchildren, relatives raping relatives and the scariest of all is our children have already adopted the rape culture.
This is a very serious issue.
The start of the year saw a rape occur that will have a detrimental effect on our tourism industry — imagine the number of families employed by the tourism industry and how adverse reports may impact on them.
People often term a rapist as an animal. Hello, even animals know when their fellow animals are not yet matured enough to engage in sexual activity so don’t belittle animals, they should just be called lowlifes or kawaca!
Imagine the life of a victim — they will be traumatised for life!
The victims’ innocence can never be restored for life.
The family unit is destroyed for life.
The social impact remains for life.
So why not issue the life sentence?
Please for the sake of all victims, review the legislation!
Tai Smith, Nasinu Sec. Sch. Rd., Kinoya, Nasinu
Crime rate
It is becoming more and more evident that crime is rapidly increasing in Fiji.
Is it as a result of the lack of proactive engagement or the inability to provide such involvement, due to lack of manpower?
If the Police Force is indeed hampered by insufficient personnel, and not bound by ineffective policies then there is an alternative.
There is a very large under deployed workforce available, I refer to the RFMF which undeniably contributes handsomely to the gross income of the country by way of its peacekeeping services, but beyond ceremonial duties, what other services are provided to justify the very large portion of the annual budget.
Some might say the sponsorship of their rugby sevens teams.
If the Fiji Police Force was to seek the help of RFMF to provide special constables it could close the gap on criminals who seem to be winning the on ground battle.
I am not proposing the appearance of personnel in battle fatigues, we have had enough of that in the past, but to be re uniformed in police attire and receive their direction and orders from senior police officers, not the RFMF.
There will be no need for the carrying of weapons as this is not a military action but an assistance to what appears to be an out manned security force.
If accepted this may prove to be getting a more obvious and positive return to the taxpayers of Fiji who indirectly underwrite the maintenance of both forces, so why not join together and defeat crime.
Derrick Wadman, Deuba
Fiji rugby
The leadership in the Fiji Rugby Union was changed recently. So, what has changed?
As a start, will the players stop praying for divine intervention at the start of every game? Is it a Christian game?
Will diversity be brought to the game?
If not, I doubt anything has changed.
I have asked these questions many times, even writing to the FRU previously, but there has been no response.
I have a feeling they are scared, or they are burying their heads in the sand or both.
Jan Nissar, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tourist infrastructure
The number of tourists visiting Nadi Town has significantly dropped despite the fact that the town is surrounded and has the presence of so many international brand hotels and tourist apartments.
What could be the reason for the tourists shying and staying away from the town is the question that needs to be asked. I think it is do with the rapidly falling condition of the town and facilities like public toilets, streets, footpaths and the general upkeep being pathetic to say the least.
Tourists don’t leave their homes to come and stay in the hotel, they come to explore, observe and experience the local scenery, our food and culture and living conditions if you like. Tourists would never want to miss seeing or visiting a place which is attractive and has something to offer.
At this juncture, I think it is worth mentioning that one such place is the Nadi Temple which many tourists visit because of its attractiveness and value. Nadi is regarded as a tourist destination. In order to support tourism, a destination needs to have adequate infrastructure to support a large influx of visitors. This includes transportation, accommodation, and reliable access to basic services like restrooms, recreational facilities etc. The more modern the infrastructure, the more likely tourists will feel comfortable visiting a destination.
From mountains to beaches to cityscapes, landscape alone can be enough to draw tourists to a destination. Tourist destinations with landscapes that are considered more attractive are likely to see a higher number of visitors. Alternatively, destinations that do a poor job of maintaining their landscape may see a decline in tourism as travelers are put off by the quality of their surroundings and decide to go elsewhere.
We will have only ourselves to blame if this happens to us. The visitor arrival thus far is not so bad, but it might get affected if we don’t act now. If our Nadi Town remains motionless and doesn’t do anything to improve and uplift its outlook and appeal, I am sorry to say that in time to come we might see the visitor arrival number declining. Deliverance is in your hands.
Suresh Chand, Nadi
Respecting one another
Before I share my first reflection to open my contribution to this column, I would like to wish every Fijian a prosperous 2025, praying and hoping that we will work together as Fijians to make Fiji a safe haven for everyone.
First and foremost I would like to share a reflection of mine on the first day of 2025 which I hope would assist us Fijians as we move into the new year.
“They grow together, but they grow on their own.” This idea came to mind as I was having a sea bath with my daughters at Naitonitoni in Navua on January 1, 2025.
I was actually out in the sea looking at the coconut trees lining along the sea shores.
I marvelled at the way they grow together and dance the same pattern as the wind blows, yet I also noticed how they grow on their own in their togetherness for not one tree is looking or judging the other.
There are some tall trees and there are some short ones, there are some full of fruits while others do not have many or none at all, there are some full of leaves while others hardly have any, however, no one seemed to notice the difference as they stand and dance together peacefully.
They appreciate their individual life growth in their togetherness by not judging the other if it is short, fruitless or leafless.
To me it signifies deep respect among one another by growing together and not judging the another.
I urge all Fijians, regardless of our differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender and class, we must show our utmost respect to one another by not judging the other.
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
New political party
Sami set to form new political party (FT 6/1 ). I am not sure that is what is needed to take Fiji forward.
What I am sure about is that Fiji needs new leaders — good leaders — committed to serving in the best interest of the country and the welfare of all its people. And not the self-serving kind that have come to dominate Fiji politics.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Where is PWD
Where is PWD? Two years of the Coalition Government that I voted for and many promises remain to be fulfilled.
Our roads are full of potholes. Do the people of Fiji have to wait for another two years for these potholes to be filled?
Geoffrey Chand, Lautoka
Taking a break
We have not heard from or of the A-G in recent weeks. What happened?
Too much to do to put out the fires of your own creation? Maybe he is just taking a break like the rest of us in the holiday season.
Jan Nissar, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Honourable title
Nishant Singh has rightly questioned why sacked Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya continues to be addressed as “honourable” after her “disgraceful act”? (FT 6/1).
In fact why are the parliamentarians who voted to give themselves a hefty pay rise and additional perks referred to as honourable when they acted so dishonourably?
Every Fijian and his dog know that and like “senile coconut trees” (got that term in a Fiji Times report) there is a strong sense that they need to be removed.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Social problems
As a new year begins, unfortunately for Fijians, the same problem remains.
We still have the same three-legged government which I believe is not only incompetent but divisive. Just see the many serious social problems we are facing today. Sobo!
Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka
Mr Jack of all trades
Meanwhile, I have been exposed to a social media video of a local PSV driver who appears to be Mr Jack of all trades.
Shall I assume the presence of the white piece of cloth to be an act of surrender?
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
