Rugby showdown
Fans are looking forward to the titanic battle between the Vodafone Fijiana XV and South Africa tomorrow at the HFC Bank Stadium. The match will run parallel with the Deans quarterfinals, and one can expect a bumper crowd when we host South Africa for the first time at home. The Fijiana played the green machine at the 2022 RWC Women’s competition and came out victorious 21-17. The Ubuntu-Bula silverware will be contested in the historic first Test match. Our captain and star performer Kolora Lomani looked determined (FT: 06/08) to maintain our unbeaten run against South Africa who has so far been enjoying the Fijian hospitality. South Africa is ranked 10th, while the Fijiana is ranked 13th. Wishing both sides all the best for the battle. I plead with the Fijiana to play their hearts out and record a scintillating victory! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Next Prime Minister
I met Na Gone Turaga Na Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, Na Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara, in Newmarket, Auckland, on 19/09/2025, one week before the All Blacks-Wallabies Bledisloe Cup Test at Fortress Eden. I can only hope and pray, like most others, that the “Humble Giant”, Ratu Tevita Mara, gets to contest the upcoming national election. If he does, let’s all vote for him. Some may ask: “What about the rest?” Tou qai ‘inky-inky ponky’ taki iratou. I believe, Ratu is the most worthy, trusted and most deserving leader, to lead us into the future. Go for it Ratu. O kedatou vata qori, Lau, Levuka, Lomaiviti. L for love, L for legend and L to lead. Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
COI cost questions
Recent news has the Prime Minister defending the high cost incurred by the COI process last year. Critics are reportedly citing failed prosecutions to call the COI cost a waste of money. The PM is correct. I believe the outcome of some of the cases that proceeded as a result of the COI report did not go according to the liking of a few, hence the criticism. To put my point into perspective and proper context, I could also call most of our judiciary costs a waste of money. But no, there is always a price to pay to get to justice. Some prosecutions end up in convictions, some acquittals. If there’s no fire for a year, will we decide to shut down our fire stations? You see? Or no crime for a month, don’t pay our policemen and women their salaries and bills? You see? Donald Singh Nausori
Why do people complain?
There is a misguided perception among many that changing the Constitution will solve all of Fiji’s problems. I am not sure how many constitutions we have already had since independence, but what has any of them solved? So why is there this false enthusiasm that another one will solve all the problems? Remember the enthusiasm and exuberance when this government came into office? Now the reality has set in. The reality will set in again after a new constitution is formulated. The problem in Fiji is not the Constitution. The rubbish about the Constitution is all a distraction from the real issues. I believe the problem in Fiji is arrogance, prejudice, sense of entitlement, self-servers and religious bigotry. This, combined with a population and leaders with a Third World, third rate mentality — even God will not be able to do anything about this, because that is exactly what the people want. But then, why do they all complain so much? Perhaps they do not realise the error of their ways. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Golden man
I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Mr Terrific, Taniela our Commonwealth gold medallist. I will once again ask our honourable Sports Minister if the Fiji Government intends to reward him for his spectacular achievement. This very humble family man has truly struggled to get the gold for Fiji. His struggle was real. He worked to feed his family and trained twice as hard to ensure his success. His success was ours Fiji. We are now all very proud to have a Commonwealth gold medal. Thank you coach Henry Elder and president of Weightlifting Fiji for your unwavering support of all the weightlifting family. The struggles endured to get our young athletes to competitions both locally and abroad. Prior to the games, I had approached companies for sponsorship to help Weightlifting Fiji as they continue to strive getting our athletes to competitions but I guess they couldn’t see the value in investing in our weightlifting youths. Your teams have always returned home successful. God bless you both. I am now putting it out there that I can see Taniela going even further to the Olympics but we need to get behind him. I can see Weightlifting Fiji continue to bring home gold. Stanley Simpson, can you please bring in Taniela and his coach and president and ask him to show you the clip on our golden man. Tai J Smith Nasinu Sec Sch Rd, Kinoya, Nasinu
Different situation
The new 25,000 capacity One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch finished construction six weeks ahead of schedule and roughly $26.6million under budget. In Vitia, a 50 metre swimming pool remains incomplete after nearly a decade and $10million over budget. Freaking unbelievable. Kemudou! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Water project
Fiji artesian water is a refreshing drink in demand abroad as The Fiji Times reports. I hope we will have pure green coconut water available in the global competitive market. Some Fijians believe it’s a natural medicine and prevention for many illnesses. A market vendor selling green coconut, ready for drinking fresh from tree, “Tamana! which one you want? For prevention for kidney or heart disease. I bought both. A perfect thirst quencher and the best medicine keeping doctors away. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Recycling in Fiji
I notice recycling in Fiji is happening in a big way on two fronts. One is the recycling of waste matter for environmental sustainability. The other is the recycling of politicians because they are apparently indispensable. The benefits of the former is in no doubt. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Useless post?
Friend Sukha Singh (FT 6/08) says that the position of Deputy PM is a useless post! Suhka is quite correct. It is a title awarded to the Coalition parties in order to gain co-operation. A title that no doubt also comes with a suitable stipend. It is on par with the position of acting minister, as if a minister with the backing of an entire department needs assistance. More often than not, it is the PS who steps up in public in assisting a minister. Terry Hulme Yadua
Diplomatic dancing
We read in The Fiji Times article “Roberts dismisses China rivalry claims” that Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts said in an interview that “Australia’s focus was on strengthening its long standing relationship with Fiji”. We understand where the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji is coming from. I believe being economical with the truth is part and parcel of the diplomatic thing he has to do. But, I believe, intelligent Fijians and Australians and others know this strengthening of ties with Fiji and other Pacific nations is designed to keep Australia and America in and China out. No wonder China is pissed off by it. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Six decades strong
Reading the article celebrating FNPF being “Six decades strong” leaves a bitter taste for the approximately 1400 elderly pensioners who are still waiting for what they believe is justice. For FNPF, 60 years is a milestone worth celebrating. For these pensioners, it’s six years overshadowed by unanswered questions, broken promises and a fight they never expected to spend their retirement pursuing. The article proudly highlights a $12billion portfolio and 447,000 members. Those are impressive numbers. But a simple question remains. How can an institution celebrate financial strength while some of its oldest and most vulnerable members still believe they were denied a fair outcome? A true measure of any superannuation fund isn’t merely the size of its investment portfolio. It’s how it treats the very people whose lifetime savings built that portfolio. Many of these pensioners have spent years seeking restitution, accountability and closure. Some have sadly passed away before seeing their claims resolved. Others continue their fight well into old age, not because they seek charity, but because they seek what they believe is rightfully theirs. If FNPF wishes to celebrate sixty years of success, perhaps the greatest tribute it could pay would be to finally resolve this long-running dispute with compassion, transparency and fairness. A celebration is only complete when no one has been left behind. The question Fiji should ask isn’t whether FNPF has become financially successful. The question is whether financial success can truly be celebrated while some of its oldest members still feel justice has been deferred and denied. Kemudou! Fix it! Colin Deoki Australia
Insult to injury!
FNPF CEO Viliame Vodonaivalu added insult to injury when he said the 60-year (FNPF) milestone was not simply a celebration of longevity, but a tribute to the trust that generations had placed in the fund. (FT 6/8/26) He said, and I quote: For 60 years, FNPF has stood alongside the people of Fiji through every stage of life. So, the FNPF stands alongside those members who had their pensions cut? Behind every member account is a personal story of hard work, sacrifice, and hope for a secure future. So, the FNPF ignores the hard work, sacrifice and hope for a secure future of those members who had their pensions cut? This milestone belongs to every worker, every employer, and every family that has entrusted us with their retirement savings. Beware all of those who must entrust the FNPF with their retirement savings — a pension cut could happen to you! Our achievements are the result of dedicated stewardship; Does the FNPF consider the appropriation of members’ funds to be ‘dedicated stewardship’? Could the FNPF achievements have been realised without those funds? No! … and the confidence our members continue to place in us. Surely those members who lost much of their pensions — the likes of Ronnie Chang of Martintar and his fellow sufferers — have zero confidence in the FNPF. All FNPF members should be extremely sceptical of placing their trust and confidence in the FNPF. Mr Vodonaivalu said the fund would continue to deliver value over the long term. Please, members, be aware of that phrase “over the long term” because in the “short term” you might find yourselves in the same boat as those who placed their trust and confidence in the FNPF years ago — sinking! In 2012 the FNPF claimed that pension cuts were necessary for the future viability of the fund — that is debatable — but — the fund is now in possession of a $12b portfolio and it would be a gesture of confidence and trust in the members it deprived to reimburse them for their sacrifice in enabling the continuance and growth of the FNPF. Sue Cauty Pacific Harbour
