ENTER to learn and live, go forth to serve has been the maxim guiding former Flying Fijians captain and Speaker of the House of Representatives Pita Nacuva.
Nacuva led the Flying Fijians in their tour of New Zealand in September, 1980 and fondly recalls the maxim he learnt in Suva Methodist Boys School and how it helped shape the trajectory of his life.
Reflecting on an illustrious record of a career in public service, he found his way into the national team and ultimately the captaincy out of a desire to diversify his capabilities.
“What is your priority in life? First, education and get a job and get a position; that’s what I do,” Nacuva, known in his playing days as Pita Kewa, explained.
The notion guided him to university in Wellington, New Zealand and then Scotland which helped set the path for a career in government.
“That was my vision; to serve in this position and also I thought, well there are other talents that I have – volleyball and rugby.”
In 1979, he was selected to be part of the Flying Fijians that faced France in the latter’s tour of Fiji, New Zealand and Tahiti.
The match took place at Buckhurst Park in Suva on Saturday, June 16, 1979, and the visitors won 13-4.
He would then lead the Flying Fijians a year after in a 12-match tour of New Zealand in August and September, 1980.
Recalling the tour, he said it was a highlight for him since they had a chance to embrace the renowned fierceness and agility of the All Blacks.
Nacuva decided afterwards it was time to step away from the rugby pitch and don the hat of a civil servant once more.
As the years passed, he would ascend the rung of the leadership ladder in government in various key positions, ultimately becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives from June to December, 2006.
Nowadays, Nacuva is retired and devotes time to his family and is a keen tennis player as well.
