Blooming confidence!
As I read the piece titled “Shaw’s call for healthier lifestyles” (FT: 10/08), I reflected on the 1956 Hibiscus Festival, which was the first ever festival of such magnitude. The smiling picture of Kali Shaw (FT: 10/08) brought memories of Liebling Marlow who was crowned the first Miss Hibiscus Festival Queen. This year’s FMF Foods-sponsored Hibiscus Festival is seen as a significant cultural event which will inspire, thrill, and celebrate beauty, talent and cultural heritage. The Mother of all Festivals is set to resonate and inspire young women to chase their dreams and shatter glass ceilings. Fijians are looking forward to the Hibiscus Festival which has always been a people’s event as it unites Fiji and brings everyone to one location. This year’s carnival atmosphere promises glittering pageantry, food, music and family fun, and I’m sure we will see the best of Fiji’s talent and tradition. I plead with the organisers to be mindful of OHS in terms of stalls, rides and food. Let’s enjoy the festival and make it drug-free. Thank you, The Fiji Times, for the colourful picture of the Hibiscus Queen contestants (FT: 08/08), who looked excited and fired up for the big event! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Late-night noise
Loud music and excessive noise late at night have become a concern in many residential communities. Under By-law 28 of the Town By-laws made under the Local Government Act 1972, a person must not cause annoyance or disturbance through loud music, loudspeakers, shouting, singing or other excessive noise. People have the right to enjoy themselves, but they also have a responsibility to respect their neighbours’ right to peace and quiet — especially during late-night hours. This is particularly important in Housing Authority communities, where residents live in close proximity to one another. The relevant authorities should ensure that existing laws and by-laws are properly enforced when excessive noise becomes a repeated problem. Enjoy your freedom but respect your neighbours. Concerned resident. Ravnil Ram Muanikoso, Nasinu
Drill issue
The account of military cadets passing-out at Natabua High School (FT 2/8) was another reminder of the onward march of militarism and blind obedience, the very antithesis of education. The other newspaper (FS 3/8) could not have put it better with its list of groups awarded prizes at Natabua for drilling (old-fashioned “square-bashing”) and a photo of the top student getting the most “prestigious” of all: an empty small brass shell. In iTaukei society other-discipline overrides self-discipline. Other-discipline is based on fear and public opprobrium; self-discipline is what it says, free-thinking/critical thinking. In one transgression is met with punishment, in the other it is met with self-doubt, or to put it another way by shame (madua) and conscience respectively — the concepts aren’t distinguished in Fijian. Other-discipline is assured by following someone else’s orders and not being “found-out” if you fail. In short, by external force. Self-discipline is internal, it comes from one’s own sense of motivation, sacrifice, and effort. Yes, group life, the collective, is great, indeed essential, but it has its limitations. Until Fijians wake up and see crises — like drugs, crime, corruption, health, domestic violence, unemployment, and education in terms of their own social systems, instead of blaming individuals, change for the better is delusional. Dr Christopher Griffin Perth, WA, Australia
New champions
I’ve been praying for this moment — to see some new schools dominate the Deans Trophy rugby competition this year. With Ratu Kadavulevu School now knocked out by Ra High School in the quarter-finals, we’re down to the final four heading into this week’s semi-finals. I’m really hoping to see Ra High School and Lelean Memorial School make it through to the final. Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Ra High School moves on
Where is Ra High School? How did an unrated team deliver one of the biggest and most painful upsets against a highly fancied side like Ratu Kadavulevu Secondary School, which was almost certain about being declared overall champions? In the spirit of true sportsmanship, let’s acknowledge RKS for their contributions to rugby in 2026. Let’s hope that Ra High School holds their guard and raises the bar come this weekend. May Ra High School move on beyond this week. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Another loss
Another expert resigns from FRU. With Aaron Mauger’s resignation effective immediately, one can only wonder what is happening at the Rugby House. The very poor performance during the recent championship by the team under the acting head coach so close to the World Cup, I think it’s about time the administrators take a serious look at getting an experienced coach and stop beating around the bush. Different coaches, same players, very different results. Edward Kumar Lautoka
FIFA president
FIFA alleges concerted effort to undermine president Gianni Infantino (Yahoo Sports 10/8/26). That’s nonsense. Infantino undermined his own standing with his aberrant conduct. That’s why so many football federations around the world want him gone. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Safety is paramount
As announced by the CEO of Land Transport Authority to educate our responsible drivers (FT 9/8) to save lives, it’s everyone’s concern. Our safety remains paramount. We all have a role to play for responsible behaviour on our roads. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Price control
Second-hand motor vehicle parts imported from China and other countries have been sold here at very high cost. Also, customers have been deceived when buying complete imported vehicle parts from dealers where they dismantle each part to be sold separately. On the other hand, new complete local second-hand motor vehicle parts are much cheaper. The Consumer Council of Fiji and FCCC should comply with the issues on fair prices of complete imported car parts for customers. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Malolo Street, Lautoka
Insane or what?
After a week of listening to and reading the many suggestions about how to increase women’s presence in Parliament, l couldn’t help but recall a quote wrongly ascribed to Einstein, which goes something like this: ” … insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results…”. It’s been 55 years since we gained independence and we still have only five women in Parliament. Since then, we have been saying and doing the same things …. yet I’m sure we aren’t insane or are we? Daniel Fatiaki Suva
Burden on the poor
M–PAiSA has grown from a simple mobile wallet into one of Fiji’s most dominant financial channels. It now carries welfare payments, bus fare subsidies, remittances, bill payments, bank transfers and everyday household spending. In practice, it functions like a national financial utility. Yet its fee structure continues to impose some of the harshest and most regressive charges on the very people who rely on it most — low–income Fijians. The injustice lies in how the fees operate. A flat $2 withdrawal charge may appear small on paper, but for someone withdrawing $4, $6 or $8 at a time, it becomes a 50 per cent, 33 per cent or 25 per cent penalty. In real cases, people withdrawing $1 or $2 pay a 200 per cent effective charge. Meanwhile, a person withdrawing $90 pays just over 2 per cent. This is not a neutral fee — it is a poverty tax built into the system. The burden is worsened because many poor Fijians do not freely choose M–PAiSA. Government welfare, bus fare assistance and other public payments are routed directly into the wallet. Recipients must then pay Vodafone simply to access money that was meant to help them. Part of every public dollar is lost before it reaches the household budget. This leakage is unacceptable in a country where every cent matters. It is also troubling that M–PAiSA now requires full KYC and ID verification similar to banking standards, yet does not offer the fee protections banks provide. If the platform is treated like a bank for registration, it should be treated like one for fairness and consumer protection. What makes this situation even more concerning is that Vodafone Fiji is ultimately owned by the people of Fiji through FNPF. When the Government pays Vodafone a fee for each welfare disbursement, and poor users then pay again to withdraw that same money, the public is effectively charged twice. Transparency on these government–to–Vodafone payment arrangements is urgently needed. A system moving billions of dollars annually cannot operate without scrutiny. The Reserve Bank, FCCC and policymakers must urgently review M–PAiSA’s fee structure. Essential financial access should not come with punitive charges that fall hardest on the poor. Fairness, not convenience, must guide the future of digital payments in Fiji. Dr Sushil K Sharma Lautoka
Congrats to Ba
Ba has clinched their second major title of the season, capturing the Premier League. Earlier, they secured the 2026 Fiji FACT trophy. The Men-in-Black are reviving memories of their past dominance in domestic football. This league title ends a seven-year drought, with their last victory in 2019. The Fiji FACT trophy had also been elusive for several years. Undoubtedly, the entire district feels proud of the team’s bravery and impressive performance. With this momentum, they are poised to claim the remaining trophies up for grabs. I take this opportunity to wish them all the best in their future competitions. Suresh Chand Nadi
Ba ends 7-year wait!
The soccer crazy town of Ba united to celebrate their success in the Extra Premier League at Govind Park after humbling Tailevu Naitasiri 6-0. The Men in Black had one hand on the trophy after defeating traditional rivals Labasa 2-1 at Subrail Park. Ba fans wore black in honour of their soldiers and turned Govind Park into a carnival-like vibrant atmosphere that had fans swinging to the beat of the music. Ba President Praneel Dayal, his executive, coach Ravinesh Kumar, who has that Midas touch, former players and loyal Ba supporters must be commended for having the patience to turn a seven year wait into joy and tears of delight. Ba won the league for the 22nd time after claiming the BiC Fiji FACT title at Subrail Park, ending a 16-year-old drought. This victory is a breathtaking testament that a lot of effort, dedication and hard work was put in by the Men in Black. It shows that Ba is back to where it once was — years of dominance in the league and tournaments and the rich history that Ba has. The unity and bonding within the players and their families, built on unconditional love and unwavering commitment, and the team officials paid off. The long training sessions, sweat and late-night sacrifices culminated in a sweet victory. As an ardent Labasa fan, I congratulate Ba on this feat! Now that Ba will be representing Fiji in the O-League next year, I hope they learn from our champion Rewa who was tamed 1-4 by Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
