PAGEANTS in Fiji seem to be “devolving”. Former Miss South Pacific Alisi Rabukawaqa said this in the wake of the fallout between Miss Fiji 2026 titleholder Dr Peggy Ravusiro and the Miss Fiji Pageant committee.
The dispute was publicised and came under intense scrutiny after the committee named Miss Nasinu and Miss Fiji first runner-up Ailava Samuels as the country’s representative to next month’s Miss South Pacific pageant.
Ms Rabukawaqa said the situation reflects a troubling pattern rather than an isolated incident.
“It (the contracts) was quite different back then,” referring to her participation in the regional pageant in 2011.
“And for the Miss Fiji pageant, I believe there was also a contract, very vague recollection.
“But I keep finding myself coming back because of young women like Peggy and Rhyelle (Aisea, Miss Hibiscus) and others, that when I see them enter the space, I want to ensure that our experiences do not perpetuate, that the whole entire pageant experience is elevated to a better standard.
“Unfortunately, that has not happened.”
She said it was shocking to see the level at which these young women were being treated and stressed that silence was no longer an option.
Ms Rabukawaqa called on former titleholders to speak out against what she described as “injustice within pageant systems”.
“But this is not the be-all and end-all. This is not the entirety of our lives.
“It is important that when we create spaces where we call young people in, we ensure we can say, ‘this is a space for you to speak, to influence, and to make decisions. We want this space for you to be empowered, this is a space for you to influence’.”
The Miss Fiji Pageant Committee has not responded to Ms Rabukawaqa’s statements.
They say they will respond today.
Concerns raised over clauses
THERE were three clauses in the Miss Fiji contract that Miss Fiji, Dr Peggy Ravusiro, had serious concerns over.
Speaking during a press conference, Dr Ravusiro said her concerns centred on indemnity, termination provisions and the lack of transparency surrounding an endorsement linked to the contract.
She said her first issue was with clause eight of the contract, which dealt with indemnity and liability.
“So, I wrote my amendments to clause eight in an email and sent it,” Dr Ravusiro said.
“I asked to please ‘include or draft in similar words the following, that Miss Fiji pageants, including its agents, servants, associates, and or its appointed offices, indemnifies and holds harmless the contestants against all losses, damages, claims, liabilities, and costs from its breaches of this contract’s or schedule, misconduct or negligence, and reputational harm to the contestants’.”
The original clause protected the Miss Fiji Pageant and its representatives but did not extend the same protection to contestants.
Her second concern related to Clause nine of the agreement, which addressed termination.
Dr Ravusiro said she requested a complete rewording of the clause to allow contestants the right to terminate the contract, if the Miss Fiji pageant or its representatives breached the agreement, engaged in misconduct or criminal behaviour or cause reputational harm to the contestant.
“I believe that was fair,” she said.
The third concern was around the endorsement referenced in the contract, saying she had requested to see and understand what the endorsement from the Ministry of Local Government entailed before agreeing to the terms.
She said her concerns were not adequately addressed and that requests for clarification were met with resistance.
Suva Lawyer and aunt to Dr Ravusiro, Tanya Waqanika, said its standard practice for individuals to seek legal advice before signing legal documents, especially where indemnity provisions were included.
She said by the time Dr Ravusiro had approached her, much of the process had already progressed and the issues raised were largely centred on indemnity.
“So they told her, this is the pageant,” she said.
“There was a letter dated 24th of December from the lawyers of the pageant, Nambi AR lawyers to Peggy.
“What concerned her when she came to see me, it was mostly the issue of indemnity.”
The Miss Fiji Pageant secretariat did not respond to questions on the statements made by Dr Ravusiro.
Meanwhile, Fiji will host the Miss South Pacific pageant at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on February 13-20.
