Speight, Turner march on
AFTER serving his term in prison, George Speight has started afresh. Speight was a recipient of a gold medal in the 2026 Masters IV bench press 93kg category at the Oceania Regional Powerlifting Championships at the FMF Gymnasium. Speight etched his name in history books, becoming the first athlete from Fiji to win a gold medal. Speight also set a new Oceania record with a 107.5kg lift. This guy is full of life and energy. A smiling Speight (FT: 03/11) has taught readers that age should not be a barrier to sporting achievements and should never prevent anyone from pursuing new interests, staying active and testing their limit. Good on you, Speight, and congratulations on the win! Apart from Speight, 73-year-old veteran powerlifter Sainimili Turner also etched her name in the record books of weightlifting, scooping two gold medals. The iron lady competed against younger lifters, demonstrating that her passion for the sport remained undiminished. Turner claimed gold in the Oceania Masters squat, bench press and deadlift total before securing another gold in the bench press. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Things fall apart
THE general Secretary of the National Federation Party, Kamal Iyer, is too right about things falling apart as PM Rabuka dogmatically pursues his agenda “that involves replacing the 2013 Constitution with a fast tracked and equally imposed new constitution” (FT 7/11/26). Iyer says: “That is not how to pursue politics in the national interest and ignore transparency, accountability and good governance”. It’s good Iyer and the NFP realise this albeit rather belatedly. Many critics of the Rabuka government, which included NFP, have been pointing that out for a long time — the departures from the norms of democratic good governance, too many to put down in a letter to editor. Hence, for Fiji and its people, things have been falling apart under the Rabuka coalition government just as it was under the previous FijiFirst government. The people of Fiji deserve better from those who govern them. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Teaching economics
THERE seems to be a shortage of teachers in many countries but a lesson in economics might help solve the shortage. It is reported that Elon Musk donated about $483m during the US midterm elections without any real success as most of the candidates he backed didn’t get elected. If we use a salary of about $50,000, for a younger teacher, $483m would pay almost 10,000 extra teachers. If he made the same donation each year to pay for teachers’ salaries, he would be praised by all. Other billionaires should think about that too. DENNIS FITZGERALD Victoria, Australia
Recursive self-improvement
Anthropic – an American AI safety corporation – has warned that AI is getting very close to improving itself, also known as (aka) Recursive Self- Improvement (RSI) or self- building AI. This is more than a double – edged sword scenario. While it has the potential for becoming a tool for unimaginable productivity, scientific discoveries and so on. On the other hand, it can also become an existential threat to humans, if not properly managed and controlled, and its unimaginable capabilities harnessed. RSI is just a few steps away from AI quickly becoming self-aware and sentient and inevitably slipping away forever from human control. One might think that this is a far-fetched fairytale- like notion that can never happen. But the very likelihood it can happen in our own lifetime, is very, very horribly real and only just a few clicks away! EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Democratic governance
FORMER PM Bainimarama being allowed to travel to NZ to accompany his wife for urgent specialist treatment is a big plus for Fiji’s judicial system at a time when it has come under considerable criticism for its failures. The judicial system is and must remain the last bastion of democratic good governance in the country. We forfeit our claim to being a decent society when we fail to show compassion. I applaud the court for its enlightened decision. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
El Nino
EL Nino started to become a reality in Fiji in 2023. We’ve basically had it for the past 3 years, according to the Fiji Meteorological Service. Only now (election around the corner) are some individuals taking, what the Prime Minister said, out of context. As a nation, we’ve survived so many hurricanes, and natural disasters way worse than this. We are a resilient people and we will overcome any adversity. El Nino or El Salvadore, we will defeat it head on. Peace! MS KALECA Vishnu Deo Road, Nakasi
Drought for Christmas
DOES Father Christmas have water supplies in his gift bag this year? Given the worsening drought conditions, the most practical gift many of our people could wish for is rain. Until then, we must all do our part by using our existing water supplies sparingly and wisely. Our thoughts are with the elderly, young children, and people with special needs, who often bear the greatest burden when water becomes scarce. Farmers, too, are feeling the impact of the prolonged dry conditions associated with the El Nino. As Christmas approaches, many households will be hoping not for presents, but for much-needed rainfall. For now, we keep our fingers crossed that Father Christmas brings rain, a gift that would provide welcome relief to communities across the country. FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia.
Different perspectives
PEOPLE say we have developed for the better, while others say we certainly have not. People say living is now so much harder, but others say we’re now far better off. Different people, different perspectives. Different standards of living, different views and motives. While the reality is really the same, we all tend to see it differently. It’s how we actually play life’s game, is what determines our own destiny! EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Ronaldo retires
FANS were saddened as one of football’s greatest stars Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football with the Portugal national team. This means that Ronaldo will conclude a 23-year career with the Selecao das Quinas (Five Shields). At 41, the great Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring a record 146 goals. With the national side, Ronaldo won the UEFA Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He played his heart out for Portugal and like every other good player, the curtains have been drawn on his international football career just like Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from international football with Argentina. Messi and Ronaldo have left behind an extraordinary legacy, one that will take generations to match. They have been great football ambassadors and role models. Upcoming football stars have a lot to learn from them, humility being one of their biggest and most valuable lessons. Ronaldo and Messi will be dearly missed by fans of Portugal, Argentina and the world. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Never again
SUE Cauty’s letter on Sunday restrictions and repression following the 1987 military coup is a vivid reminder of the rot that engulfed our beloved country during those dark days in our history (FT 7/11/26). The accompanying photograph of soldiers patrolling the streets alongside the NBF building sums up the rot the country experienced. Like Sue Cauty, I hope we never again witness such a dark period in Fiji’s history. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Local workers
Minister Filimoni Vosarogo is absolutely correct in saying that there’s no proof that locals refuse jobs. I believe he said this when replying to an Opposition question. Locals don’t refuse jobs. They take the job, sign employment contracts and even start working. After a short period of time, some of our locals fail to meet work expectations and don’t show up for a full week. Many of them even steal and sell company items and materials. This compels employers to seek workers from overseas. Productivity, profitability and overall economic performance are priorities, and it is difficult to achieve these when businesses rely entirely on the local workforce. There’s work but no force! DONALD SINGH Nausori
Tonga and Samoa’s rise in rugby league
OUR Pacific neighbours, Tonga and Samoa, will face tough battles against New Zealand and Australia in the semi-finals of this year’s Rugby League World Cup tournament. I saw the match between Samoa and Tonga at the CommBank Stadium in Sydney, which was won by Tonga 20-18. It was a titanic battle as Tonga’s Addin-Fonua Blake scored the winning try to send the sea of red into frenzy. The two semifinals will be thrilling, and the physical battle will keep fans at the edge of their seats. I’d love Tonga and Samoa to create an upset and grab a spot in the final, but NZ and the Kangaroos will be tough customers. Tonga and Samoa’s rise in rugby league is great. I hope it doesn’t affect their performances in 15s. All the best to our Tongan and Samoan brothers as they prepare to play the biggest games of their lives. It’s now or never! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Regime change
US President, Donald Trump was pursuing regime change in other countries, but the United States itself has undergone a regime change. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
