Fijiana rugby
Fiji rugby fans should be proud of our Fijiana 15 for winning against Wales in their last Pool B match. Our Fijiana could have defeated Scotland in their second Pool B match but the Scotland side had experience and played with confidence. So, on record, our Fijiana 15 won one game against South Africa in its first appearance during the last Women’s Rugby World Cup and again won one game against Wales in the current 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. As we build up to the next Women’s Rugby World Cup, what is our Fijiana 15s’ target? How many Fijiana players in the last Women’s Rugby World Cup are still in the current team? Fiji rugby fans would love to see our Fijiana to be a reflection of our Flying Fijians as they build up in the next four years. We all want our Fijiana to reach the quarter-finals or beyond that in the next Women’s Rugby World Cup. Go Fijiana go. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
Israeli connection
Since we are hell-bent on opening up an embassy in a country that is causing genocide and famine, I have a few questions I hope someone can answer (or I hope our journalists can ask the right people). How many tourists come from Israel? And how many Fijians visit the country annually? What is the level of import and export with Israel? How much financial, technical, and military support are we getting? Will they pay the $2million outstanding airfare by any chance? Will the entourage of 17 government officials and spouses also visit Gaza? Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Unproductive issue
Dinesh Jamnadas is too right “Parliamentarians must act in the nation’s interest” (FT 20/9). Often they act in their own self-serving interest as the turncoat FijiFirst parliamentarians demonstrated and as the hefty pay rise and extra perks the parliamentarians gave themselves when half the nation is living in poverty and hardship demonstrate. The people must be extra discerning who they vote for to serve the nation’s interest at the next election. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Teacher imbalance
Fiji is facing a serious imbalance in its teaching workforce. While we have an oversupply of early childhood teachers, there are critical shortages in subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and Primary Education. Each year, more than a hundred pre-service teachers graduate with diplomas or degrees in low-demand areas, leaving our classrooms without adequate staffing in core subjects that directly impact student learning. Despite career guidance sessions in schools and visits from universities and institutions, students still make program choices without being fully informed of employment opportunities, salary structures, and long-term prospects. Currently, much emphasis is placed on allowing students the freedom to choose their fields of study. However, without proper guidance and transparent information on the realities of the job market, many young people select programs that limit both their career opportunities and the country’s workforce needs. The Fiji Teachers Registration Authority has rightly warned that this imbalance could deepen if not urgently addressed. Stronger collaboration is needed between schools, tertiary institutions, and policymakers to ensure students are not only aware of program options but also the employment demands that await them after graduation. To strengthen our education system, students must be guided toward fields where their skills are most needed, particularly in Mathematics, Science, and Primary Education. Only then can we ensure a balanced, well-prepared teaching workforce to meet the future needs of Fiji’s children. If ECE teachers are over-supplied into the system, the other option is that to deploy them into — primary schools; certificate level graduates to teach Year K students, diploma graduates to teach Years 1-3 (the lower-primary kids) and the degree graduate to teach Year 4 to 6 (middle primary). This is the best option for the Ministry of Education to counter imbalances in the primary schools. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua
Music mania!
The words of Plato, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything”, are so true. We saw the success of the Homecoming Music Festival in terms of showcasing Fiji’s ability to host international events and rake in money. Concerts like the Homecoming Music Festival enable businesses to do well. The concert, which was bigger than last year, generated over $1.5million for Fiji’s leading inbound tour operator Rosie Holidays. Music is in our blood, and no musical show will be a failure in Fiji. The Tourism Ministry must use people’s passion for music to organise more musical shows and at the same time promote the talent that we have. I miss The Fiji Times organised the original song competition, Domo Vou Talei, from which emerged Fiji’s most popular music artists. Thanks to The Fiji Times, the Australian High Commission, and a host of other sponsors, the competition unearthed natural musical talent which is in abundance in Fiji. The competition created artists like Juben and Jay Tauleka. The Homecoming Music Festival was a huge success. However, we need all hands-on deck to make the event bigger and better. Let’s do it, Fiji! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Public consultation
The lack of publicity and awareness on the review of the Police Act may be contributed to the low attendees as reported in the media. I hope the consultation team will make use of the social media platform and other media outlets for more awareness and publicity on the venues and issues which need to be addressed. Otherwise people see it as a waste of time and will only be interested if they had issues with the law enforcement agency. After all the Police Act is outdated and needs to be reviewed. It’s been long overdue. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Final solution
Israel issues ‘final warning’ (World News Pages 24/25 FT 10/9) as it embarks on its final solution on the Palestinian people. The apartheid Israeli State has shown the whole world its true fascist character. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Wallabies are back
The Australian Wallabies dismantled the Springboks at Ellis Park Stadium two weeks ago. And again it edged the Pumas from a late rally in Mbombela Stadium, just as it did to the Springboks. It is beginning to show the Wallabies team we used to watch back in the day, in my view. The momentum it has been developing within the past five years, come the 2027 Rugby World Cup, it would be the team to be reckoned with. Greatness takes time and nothing great ever happens overnight. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Soccer tour
The Bula Boys played two games and received two red cards, conceded 11 goals against them and the Bula Boys could not score a single goal. Now this is a good lesson for the Fiji Football Association. The IDC or local world cup in Ba is next for the much needed cash for Fiji FA and districts. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Scammers out there!
In this digital era, what I’ve noticed is that it comes at a cost with scammers everywhere. Because people nowadays tend to believe everything on internet, there are others who take advantage of the system and manipulate whatever is on offer. It’s disgusting and annoying to see people being taken advantage of. So when dealing with anything online, expect scammers fingers to reach your pocket. They are very smart on the keyboard to gain your trust. It’s becoming a hobby to them.
Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Rugby and vegetables
Fresh vegetables
It is really refreshing to buy vegetables free from insects and any other pests from the market. However, is it guaranteed that these vegetables are free or cleared from pesticides or any other chemical? Is there any authority that does regular checks regarding this very important necessity? By the way, is there any means by which this could be checked? Instead of only checking products in school canteens, it should be compulsory to check this very basic need to prevent people consuming chemicals detrimental to their health. People will buy the best quality vegetable, pest free, without checking on the chemical content on these. We need some authority to take charge of this please. I believe there are certain number of clearance days after spraying chemicals on vegetables. How can this be monitored? Who will do this? Can we have answers please? We are talking too much on people dying at early stages of their lives, but hardly anyone seriously talks on this issue of what we are consuming. Added to this is the excessive amounts of processed foods on the shelves of our providers. I have also noted that some fruits become ripe overnight, due to reasons known to the providers. We need clear guide on the chemical being used in our agriculture sector and food processing industry with clear clearance timelines. And not forgetting clearance given by authorities displayed. No wonder, our people’s minds are full of deadly chemicals these days. Can there be checks made on these before we talk about mortality rate. Dhirendra Prasad Lautoka
Quarter-finals rugby
The first 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals will be played at midnight Saturday (Fiji Time), September 14 between New Zealand and South Africa and the second QF at 3am between Canada and Australia. The third Quarter Final will be between France and Ireland at midnight Sunday, September 15 and the last QF is between England and Scotland at 3am. From Pool play, we can predict that the top teams from each pool will make it through to the semi finals but anything can happen. I believe that New Zealand and England will make it to the finals, but again, upsets can happen. As a Fiji rugby fan, I hope and pray that all involved in Fiji Women’s rugby will watch, learn and try to improve our Fijiana rugby standard, while still maintaining the Fijian open running rugby flair, loved by all rugby fans. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
