After the thrillers at the National Stadium in Suva on Friday, a lot of attention yesterday was on the outcome of the SODELPA annual general meeting in Suva.
However, it was difficult to get over the excitement of the Super Rugby matches on Friday.
The Fijian Drua Women anchored a position in the final of the Super W, their third in as many years in the competition, highlighting the growth of women’s rugby, and the position of our women in international competitions.
They were stretched to the limit by the Western Force under lovely conditions in front of a sellout crowd but came good in the end when it mattered.
The historic achievement was extra special considering it was the first time we were hosting a semi-final clash.
Then the Drua men put the unbeaten Hurricanes to the test.
We had some pretty special moments out there, but in the end, experience, a solid scrum, assertive pack, and confidence at pivot and at inside centre saw the Hurricanes pull away.
It was encouraging though to see the likes of Drua openside flanker Kitione Salawa and giant secondrower Isoa Nasilasila come off with some touches of brilliance along the trenches.
On the political front, after Parliament had ended for the week, yesterday was a sort of D-Day for SODELPA.
There was great uncertainty leading up to yesterday’s event, brought about by the SODELPA management board’s move to see Deputy Prime Minister and former leader Viliame Gavoka relinquish his position as Education Minister to Aseri Radrodro.
Mr Gavoka’s response was expected. In the end, yesterday’s event sort of kept the status quo. He remains DPM and Minister for Education. Mr Radrodro takes over as SODELPA leader, charting their course for the 2026 elections.
It has been an eventful week, with our nurses also assured they will get a salary increase.
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu announced this while speaking at the Fiji Nursing Association 65th Annual General Meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva yesterday.
Members of the association erupted with joy when the announcement was made.
The Ministry of Finance, he said, had approved the proposed adjustment in salary steps according to years of experience.
In the face of that, police are concerned with the growing involvement of children in drug offences.
That came from Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew.
A large number of children under 18 years were found with drugs between January to March 2024.
The force is now actively pushing for awareness in schools, through the media and at the community level.
In March, there were 160 cases of drug related offences which was a significant increase of 67 per cent compared with the same period last year where only 96 cases were reported.
Out of the total of 160 drug cases, 151 cases, were related to the unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
Approximately 18 per cent or 28 cases were associated with methamphetamine, two cases related to cocaine while the remaining 130 cases were related to the unlawful possession or cultivation of marijuana.
On the international front, attention is on the Middle East, and how things are escalating there.
On this Sunday, we wish you a happy day of rest and recuperation, ready for another work week starting tomorrow.
