Annual rugby awards
THE 2019 Rugby World Cup will culminate with the presentation of the awards.
And little Jerry Tuwai will rub shoulders with some of the rugby greats.
These include World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year 2019 nominees Joe Cokanasiga (England), Herschel Jantjies (South Africa) and Romain Ntamack (France) and the Coach of the Year Award nominees Eddie Jones, Rassie Erasmus, Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland, along with Jamie Joseph, who guided Japan to their first RWC knockout stage.
England, Japan, NZ, South Africa and Wales will also contest the World Rugby Team of the Year Award.
Jerry will battle it out against USA’s Folau Niua and Stephen Tomasin and I’m sure Jerry’s CV will take him through.
All the best to the nominees and I pray that players are rewarded accordingly.
Jerry deserves an award for his performance this season leading Fiji to five back-to-back tournament wins and the overall WRSS title.
Go Jerry, go!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Fashion collection
TO the general eyesight, torn clothes depicts poverty.
That is old and worn-out clothes.
Strategically, torn brand new clothes is fashion.
Who would have thought that we were to live and witness this?
When we come across people, on most occasions, we are able to quickly identify what they are wearing.
At times we struggle.
But, it’s fashion.
In already expensive affairs, it is becoming clearer the reason behind setting up the new special administrator system to run the local councils and extension of boundaries.
As stated by the Local Government Minister, local municipal councils have not been able to generate revenue.
Is this statement related to what we hear that the town and city rates might go up from next year?
After the implementation of this latest revenue generation tactic, some will go around in upright skyscraper collars because of growth and development while others will start to fetch for pocket-less attire.
Tops, shirts, skirts or pants.
Not to forget, as part of our latest fashion collection, students have already started to treat school uniforms as picnic attire.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Oceania Rugby’s stand
FORMER Fiji 7s player Amenoni Nasilasila, who was convicted for rape, has been sentenced to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of six years.
Now I read (FT 30/10) that the former national 7s playmaker and serving prisoner is training with the Wardens team and was part of the scrimmaging session against Tuvalu 7s team at the Suva Grammar grounds.
He has just been sent to jail for a crime that is heinous and has been talked about in almost all quarters of our beloved country.
Is he a person, that the very people who are supposed to be meting out punishment have given him a privilege?
I find it shocking that we talk long and loud about violence against women and children and we read this?
I thank Oceania Rugby for making a stand and I quote this from their website, “The scrimmage session between the Tuvalu 7s team and the Wardens team on Tuesday, October 29 occurred outside of the Oceania Rugby Sevens tournament window, so we, therefore, were not aware of Amenoni Nasilasila’s involvement with the Wardens team.
“In light of this, we have advised all participating teams to make right decisions in the interest of the tournament and our legacy and advocacy programs.
“Furthermore, we are extremely disappointed that Nasilasila has been connected with unofficial scrimmage sessions, as we strongly advocate action to reject all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls across all our member unions.”
Allen Lockington, Lautoka
Daylight saving
ONCE again daylight saving will commence soon.
Once again those who do not like DST will have to deal with it every day until it ends.
Once again we won’t get the opportunity to celebrate the festive season (Christmas and New Year) in the normal time.
Once again it will be time to bear those extreme hot weather in the odd hours.
Once again we have to abide to the so-called manmade time change.
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
Defending democracy
WE read in the article “Our democracy is at stake”: House formalises Trump impeachment inquiry (Mathew Knott, The Age 1/11/19) that Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this had to be done to uphold the country’s constitution and democracy.
I can’t think of a more valid reason for the impeachment.
It’s a crying shame that no Republicans voted for the resolution to proceed with the impeachment.
Speaker Pelosi said “I don’t know why the Republicans are afraid of the truth”.
Neither can I and I suspect that’s the case with all straight thinking people everywhere.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
United marches on
MARCUS Rashford was on spot as he guided the Red Devils to an emphatic win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup.
After a disappointing start to the season, United got the much-needed (3-1) win away from home at Norwich City and then to beat an uneaten Chelsea team is indeed remarkable.
The (2-1) win was sweeter than the (4-0) demolition that the Blues received at Old Trafford.
This win has ignited Ole Gunner’s fading career and I’m hoping that the momentum lives on.
All the best Man United!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Cyclone season
AS we officially enter our cyclone season, we trust the folks responsible are working on clearing the debris from the drains.
Nigel Fiu, Lautoka
Civil service
I BELIEVE the current civil service structure and policies are not achieving the desired results.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Very true
I TOTALLY agree with the madam Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar’s statement in The Fiji Times (1/11).
She said most times people appointed to positions of authority abused their powers.
Very true madam.
Allen Lockington, Lautoka
Sevens coach
I THINK our sevens coach is very right when he said those who wanted to play in the Olympics had to be with the team.
I have noticed most coaches in soccer and rugby keep looking for better players all the time.
Most coaches keep changing the players and in the end they have to look for another team to coach.
All the best to Gareth Baber and John McKee.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Cancer drugs
ON my latest visit to New Zealand, I found out that cancer drugs are funded by the Government.
In Fiji we just finished the Pinktober awareness month and I am wondering if our Government will fund cancer drugs for the cancer patients?
John Brown, Lautoka
Player safety
IT appears to me that the approach of officials with relation to player safety at the 2019 Rugby World Cup toned down from the quarter-finals onwards.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Convicts and privileges
AFTER talking to friends about Nasilasila taking up a role in training the Wardens 7s team, there were different views.
Here are the responses:
1. He has been sent to prison and is punished with an 8-year sentence, non-parole period for six years. There is no issue.
2. He shouldn’t be given any privileges because of the nature of his crime.
3. I wonder what the victim will be saying?
4. The prison authority can do whatever they want. The police and the courts have done their part.
5. Well, it would be a waste not to use his talent. For me, where do we draw the line when punishing someone convicted of a crime. Do we at least make them serve at least one year and then start with whatever?
Allen Lockington, Lautoka
The ides of September
On Monday, September 20 of 2019, a majority of school students and a number of workers in Fiji did not attend school and work because of rumours that something was going to happen in Fiji’s political arena.
Nothing happened and some people and a number of government departments declared that the reports were dangerous.
The reports or rumours were not dangerous, as they actually gave people a chance to decide and err on the side of safety.
What is more dangerous is Fiji’s parliamentary decision on the alleged assault of the president of a political party.
The repercussions of the said decision are already making headlines in Fiji’s dailies.
A case in point is the Nasilasila saga.
Nasilasila on being convicted of his crime, had apologised to the victim.
Five days later he is seen in a scrimmage with the Wardens 7s team against a Tuvalu national team.
People may say the crimes are different, however, the only distinction is the name given to the abuse being perpetrated.
Any layman’s understanding of Fiji’s parliamentary decision on punishing the victim for being assaulted, opens up legal precedents that allow abusive perpetrators only to say sorry or apologise for what they have committed and they can go free.
As Fiji’s legal standards are being tested morally and ethically with that parliamentary decision, the victims of abuse in all its forms will be trialled like never before.
They would continue to be asked to apologise to their perpetrators for being the victims in the first place!
May God Bless Fiji.
Epeli Rabua, Tamavua, Suva
Safety in public transport
WHERE was the bus driver when the student was getting harassed and assaulted in the bus?
This is a very serious issue that needs attention.
It calls for safety measures for the general public while using public transport.
I hope that the student recovers soon and the perpetrators should be taken to task.
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
End impunity, free expression
IN remembrance the (UN) initiated the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.
It is being recognised since 2013.
Every year many journalists are attacked, abused, mis-treated, tortured or killed.
Today, I believe journalism is one of the most dangerous professions, the job comes with a lot of responsibilities before news makes the headlines.
I believe one way to address this state of affairs is by talking about it.
Three recent examples highlight the risks journalists take to report news, and underscore why publicising their plight is the only way to bring about change.
Our media in Fiji and the Pacific has contributed with intense coverage of news and achieved new heights that has been recognised with awards toward their hard work.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists can be seen as a request to all the member states of the UN to work against the still far spread habit of impunity for crimes against journalists.
The countries are asked to take concrete action.
The safety of journalists has to be protected as they are doing the important job of informing the whole world about what is going on in conflict areas for example.
On this day, I pay tribute to journalists who do their jobs every day despite intimidation and threats.
Their work – and that of their fallen colleagues – reminds us that truth never dies.
Neither must our commitment to the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
I live you with this quote “Fake news is cheap to produce. Genuine journalism is expensive” – Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
Neelz Singh, Lami
Truancy impact
IN our school days (primary), the first lesson was usually mathematics.
For relevant reasons, if students got absent for a day, the next day would turn out to be challenging.
As mathematics topics are broad and cannot be covered in one lesson, it became important for the absentees to put in that extra effort.
The same applies to the other subjects.
Nowadays, I believe it makes no difference if students get absent for a day, week or beyond.
So why is it necessary to go to school everyday?
Yet, despite the acknowledgement from the Ministry of Education of the struggle to contain unruly student behaviour, some still believe that our curriculum needs further changes.
If there is to be an arrangement which allows employees to continuously receive pay and increments irrespective of performance (attendance included), your guess is as good as mine of what will happen.
Changes should be to what is necessary.
Not just anything.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Daylight saving
WHY do men interfere with nature.
When will they learn?
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Failure is success
DOWNTRODDEN, defeat destroying me
Foundering failure staring at me
Catastrophic failure engulfing me
Frustrating failure grinding me
Jungle of disillusionment ruining me
Turning me into a useless underachiever and non-performer
Propelling me into a broken-down loser
Failure it is all over
How to undo my failure?
But failure is the key?
Failure is the key to success surrendering to failure?
This cannot happen
Once I got the feel of failure, I knew the meaning of failure
Drowning into deep contemplation and taking it step by step by step
Checking my flaws, my blunders, my weaknesses and my faults dissecting every stage of the failure and studying every minute detail
Working out all the mechanics and visioning the various possibilities
Overcoming all my own misunderstandings and misdoings
Looking at all barriers and blockades
Fixing the errors to find solutions to the problems
Slowly finding out how to manage and deal with this failure
Against all odds, I challenged myself to confront my deficiencies
Combatting my demons and conquering my obstacles and fighting battles
Discipline determination dedication drive devotion desire
Sacrifice concentration commitment persistence resilience
Pushing the limits?
These are the qualities needed to generate success
Success is all that matters
But it is failure that leads to success
Failure leads to soul searching and deep realization
Resulting in in-depth analysis and self-evaluation
Failure guarantees and propels success
Failure defines and determines success
Failure realises and transforms success
Beginning of failure is the realization of success
From the lessons of failure evolves the triumphs of success
From the depths of failure rises the height of success
Failure is the key to success
Failure is success.
Bhagwanji Bhindi, Nasinu
$92m RFMF camp
GREAT to see Australia financing this $92 million RFMF camp (FT 01/10).
I believe the Australian government won the bid over China to construct the project.
It seems like we are building back our relationship with the Aussies after the aftermath of the 2006 coup.
It would be great if Australia channelled such support to the many areas that are in dire need of help.
What a wonderful Fiji that would be!
Simon Hazelman, Savusavu
2022 Rugby World Cup 7s
IT’S pleasing to note that our 7s rivals South Africa got an opportunity to host their first RWC 7s. South Africa did an excellent job in 1995 as the RWC 15s united a nation torn by racism and discrimination and the hosts went on to win the Webb Ellis Trophy.
The RWC was the first major sporting event to take place in South Africa following the end of apartheid and it was also the first RWC in which South Africa was allowed to compete.
In the final, held at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 24th June, 1995, South Africa defeated New Zealand (15-12) with Joel Stransky scoring a drop goal in extra time to win the match.
What happened after the match has become an iconic moment in the history of the sport as Nelson Mandela, wearing a Springbok rugby jersey and baseball cap, presented the Webb Ellis Trophy to South African captain François Pienaar to the delight of the capacity crowd.
The moment is thought by many to be one of the most famous finals of any sport.
Watching the South African 7s drives excitement as the atmosphere is bright and wonderful and I know that fans will be thrilled with South Africa’s organisation in Cape Town.
I hope that the FRU will realise that the Melrose Cup, which our boys won in 1997 and 2005, is special to every Fijian and preparation must start immediately!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
National ID card
WHILE reading the article in The Fiji Times (01/11/19) titled “National ID by 2021”, I begin to question the many identities we currently have such as birth certificate, passport, joint card, drivers licence and some others; where do they fit?
In obtaining these ID cards there are costs that are accounted for which are relatively high and now introducing another form of ID card called National ID, I wonder what will be the cost associated with it?
I sincerely believe that the many new systems introduced into our society today are just creating more gaps between the rich and poor for they are making the poor get poorer and the rich get richer.
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Navua
Waste disposal
I THINK there is definitely a need now to really review the way we collect and dispose of waste particularly at the Naboro Landfill.
This is necessary, to avoid the capacity issues, the emission of noxious fumes and the possible environmental contamination being faced at the landfill.
Most of us will recall, that when the Naboro Landfill was created in 2005, that it would be a sanitary landfill, where only biodegradable waste would be disposed of in sanitary pits and buried.
Other non-bio degradable waste were to be discharged elsewhere for recycling and so on, and not disposed of at the landfill.
The amount disposed of at the landfill, would therefore not be as much as previously dumped at the Delainavesi garbage dump.
The landfill would also be more environmental friendly, without any noxious fume pollution.
Now we are told that the amount of waste being disposed at the landfill has increased tenfold since its establishment, which is over and above previous projections.
There is also the problem of air pollution from the noxious fumes emitted.
Of course the success of the landfill is largely dependent on the use of a system which separates wastes at the collection points (eg households) and disposed of separately in accordance with degradability.
However, the news that we now have a capacity issue at the landfill, is to me, a direct reflection of the fact that we have never really implemented the waste separation system that we often talked about.
This is despite the vigorous promotion of the very popular 3R slogan (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle).
It now appears that all household waste — whether degradable or not, are currently dumped into the same bags and all disposed of at the landfill without the intended separation.
We have to be serious about putting in place and using a workable system which would really separate waste at the collection points and at the separate disposal sites.
Otherwise, we will just worsen the capacity issue at the landfill and increase air pollution in the area.
Apart from burial of waste, some serious thought should also be directed to converting the waste collected, into a usable alternative energy source, such as electricity, which can then be fed into the national grid.
In this way, we could resolve the capacity issue and make the landfill really sustainable and also generate energy in the process.
A win – win situation for everyone.
In the meantime, the Lami Town Council must be commended for its separate waste bin initiative, which it has recently put in place, with the generous assistance of the Japanese government.
At least someone has started the ball rolling.
Time is not on our side.
If we do not act now, the landfill will truly become unsustainable and defeat the very useful purpose for which it was established.
Edward Blakelock, Pacific Harbour
Corporal punishment
Mareko Vuli’s piece on the prohibition of the corporal punishment issue (ST 27/10), brought to the fore, with such eloquence, the stark realities we are now facing because of the path we are taking today –– or made to take –– by implementing this prohibition.
I doubt whether we all need to be further convinced that the type of corporal punishment metered out at home and in the schools, back in the day and before the prohibition, shaped our character and instilled in us, in a very positive way, some sense of responsibility and respect for the authorities and our elders.
I am sure, that it also made us painfully clear (literally speaking) of the boundaries between what is socially acceptable and what is not.
I am of course, referring here to the “normal” kind of corporal punishment (cane, strap, etc) and not the one that is overboard and tends to be of the abusive kind.
The latter kind certainly does not need to be condoned and definitely is the one to be prohibited by law.
It appears to me, that with our adherence to the universally accepted human and children’s rights, the “normal” kind has also been caught up as well in the prohibition basket.
Largely because it has also been deemed and seen, to be abusive in nature and not in compliance with the universally accepted rights that we have adopted.
It’s a debatable subject, but definitely there are diametrically opposite views.
The jury is most certainly still out!
One thing, however, is quite clear to me.
Not all corporal punishment is abusive, some (the normal) I believe definitely have their advantage and positive effects.
We just have to look around us today.
There is a clear difference between our yesteryears and today –– in terms of obedience; respect for the law and the elders; discipline; drug abuse; social ills; knowing one’s place and responsibility in the family, the community and in the country as a whole; and an understanding between what is right and acceptable and what is not.
Moreso, the understanding that there is a penalty one has to pay for a wrongdoing.
With the rule of the “rod” back in the day, we all kept in line and when punished, we made sure we did not do that wrong deed again.
Well at least some of us – but that’s another story!
One can then surmise that, with the disappearance of the “rod” and the over-arching effects of “rights”, the boundary line has been blurred.
Disobedience, disrespect, non-adherence to the law and ill-discipline, in our society, especially among our youth, has become the norm today.
Rights are a good thing in any society, but it should also be contextualised to the needs of society and to the customs and traditions.
Likewise, the “normal” form of corporal punishment is also a good thing for shaping a society and should not be totally brushed aside and prohibited, as if it were also the “abusive” type.
The solution is right there in front of us.
Determining that is not really rocket science.
Anyway, thank you Mr Vuli for the timely wake-up call.
We rest our case.
Edward Blakelock, Pacific Harbour
We never learn
I BELIEVE getting rid of corporal punishment in schools has resulted in what is happening at QVS.
I believe similar circumstances is happening in other schools.
It’s time for new strategies if indiscipline is to be controlled.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Municipal councils and rates
I can attest to Premila Kumar’s view on how municipal/town/city councils, especially in Australia, contribute to the development of urban centres.
The difference of course is that these are ratepayers’ representatives who are running these councils, according to open, transparent and accountable governance practices.
I note her comment on naysayers’ concern about possible rate increases.
I also note, the not uncommon myth perpetuated, about lack of data.
How can a city council, which rakes in millions of dollars in rates, and runs its city business, not have the necessary numbers.
I, as a former ratepayer in Suva, who has been religiously paying well over $1000 pa for the past 25 years, have the data to verify this.
Why wouldn’t SCC have records of how much money has been received and spent?
May I suggest that the learned minister has the town/city councils to openly publish their accounts for the past 10 years or so.
I believe this has been clouded in mystery since 2006.
The ratepayers surely have a right to know how the money they have paid has been used, before any discussion on rate increases is contemplated, even if these are for ‘special projects’ which is a diversion!
Altauf Chand Minto, NSW, Australia
Special projects
The Local Government Minister wants to charge special rates for projects undertaken by the city or town councils.
Who approves these so call special projects, the ratepayers or the ministry?
Good example was the swimming pool project, budget busted by more then 100 per cent I am told.
Who will take the blame Hon. Minister?
An investigation should be carried out on the new swimming pool project to find out what went wrong.
If the ratepayers ask for a special project then they will agree to pay special rates but not projects which are forced upon us.
Some of the families are actually eating curry tavioka with boiled tavioka so please don’t make our lives more difficult.
John Brown, Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
104 days
THE revelation that it takes 104 days to get a business licence (FT 1/11) came as no surprise.
This was exactly my point madam minister.
The bureaucracy exists because of the old work culture.
The municipal councils need to put their house in order first before talking about any increase in rates.
They must first undertake to strengthen their institutional capacity and modernise their operational practices and processes to efficiently deliver the services to the ratepayers before venturing into new projects.
And this can only happen if there is a paradigm shift in mindset.
I am eagerly looking forward to the public consultation on this issue.
Selwa Nandan, Lautoka
England’s final test
ENGLAND produced one of the greatest performances against New Zealand in RWC history as the “Roses” rightfully advanced to the final thanks to their dominant display.
South Africa, on the other hand, were able to grind out a scrappy win over Wales and will look to do the same in the final as they attempt to disrupt England’s flow which should earn them the Webb Ellis Cup.
As I put pen to paper, memories from 2015 flood my eyes as NZ secured back-to-back titles after overcoming Australia (34-17) at a jam-packed Twickenham Stadium.
That final between Australia and New Zealand was the highest scoring RWC final ever.
The man of the match award was given to All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter, who in his 112th and final appearance in international colours scored 19 points and engineered his side to victory.
Sadly, it was also the last time rugby icons Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Kevin Mealamu wore the famous All Black jersey.
Tonight’s cracker, however, is the most eagerly-anticipated rugby match and for the seventh time in nine RWCs, the final will be a contest between the northern and southern hemisphere.
If England wins it could become the first team to beat all three tri-nations teams (Australia, NZ and SA) at a single RWC.
The Springboks, on the other hand, scored 15 points to win both their RWC finals (15-12 against NZ in 1995 and 15-6 against England in 2007) and ironically, the ‘Boks have yet to score a try in a RWC final and they also have yet to concede a try in a RWC final.
England will get the chance to avenge their 2007 RWC final defeat as the two nations square off.
The Springboks will prove a difficult opponent but having beaten the might of the All Blacks, the English will be confident and can lift the trophy for the second time.
Hence, it will be important for England to keep their discipline and composure against the physical Springboks.
The likes of Daly, Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell May, Ford, Youngs, Billy and Mako Vunipola, Underhill, Curry, Lawes, Itoje, Sinckler, George, Dickie, Marler, Cole, Kruis, Wilson, Spencer, Slade, and Jonathan Joseph will battle Willie le Roux, Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, de Allende, Mapimpi, Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Vermeulen, du Toit, Kolisi, de Jager, Etzebeth, Malherbe, Mbonambi, Mtawarira, Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, Jantjies, and Frans Steyn so it’s going to produce fireworks.
Last year at home England beat SA (12-11) while during their tour to SA England won one Test match (25-10) and lost two (42-39 and 23-12).
South Africa beat England (44-21) in the ’99 RWC quarters but lost in the 2003 RWC pool play (25-6).
In 2007 the ‘Boks skinned England (36-0) in pool play and then defeated England in the final (15-6).
Hence, an upset is likely on the card but then England will not rest easily.
My best wishes to all the England and Springboks fans here at home!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
All Blacks’ loss
IT’S a lesson to all.
Sports or politics.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
