Cola Oka! In a world filled with challenges and obstacles, there are individuals who rise above adversity, showcasing the true power of perseverance to represent Fiji in sports One such person is Mesake Nalase.
The 18-year-old recently represented Fiji in 7s rugby at the Commonwealth Youth Games 2023 in Trinidad and Tobago.
His photo was captured and splashed over the world by Getty Images but nobody really knew who he was.
Mesake hails from the proud village of Draubuta in the vanua of Noikoro in Navosa. Mesake’s journey is not only a tale of personal triumph but also one that serves as an inspiration to all young people.
From a young age, Mesake possessed an unwavering ambition to make a difference in his community.
With strong maternal links to Namacawa, where individuals are esteemed like royalty, Mesake understood the value of his roots and nurtured a deep sense of pride and responsibility.
Fuelled by his dreams and supported by his loving parents, he embarked on a path that would one day make him don the national jersey.
Coming from Navosa in the interior of Viti Levu, Mesake’s journey was not without its fair share of challenges.
Yet, he remained undeterred. With each step he took, Mesake carried the hopes and aspirations of his entire community, their prayers echoing in his heart.
Mesake, an ambitious Year 13 student at Cuvu College and former pupil of Ratu Kadavulevu School, possesses the drive and passion to succeed both in academics and sports.
Despite the demands of his studies, he has managed to dedicate himself to honing his athletic abilities with the enduring support of his parents, Mesaia and Mereani Rokola.
As the elder brother of three siblings, he has become a role model and a source of inspiration within his family and the vanua o NoiKoro.
Mesaia, Mesake’s proud father said he was proud of his son’s accomplishment.
“It’s truly inspiring and fills my heart with joy to witness Mesake’s incredible journey. He has overcome obstacles and continues to pursue his dreams.
” “Every day, he faces challenges head-on, displaying unwavering determination and dedication. I couldn’t be more proud of him. I firmly believe that he is a champion, regardless of whether he brings home gold or not.
“His hard work and perseverance have already paid off by earning him the opportunity to represent Fiji on the international stage and I wholeheartedly wish him the very best, and our family stands united in our pride and admiration for him.
He is not only a competitor but a true winner in every sense of the word”.
Mesaia made the comment before the finals, when Mesake’s perseverance and hard work were paid off.
His achievement not only brought immeasurable pride and joy to his parents but also sparked a sense of unity and celebration among the people of Noikoro.
Mesake has become the living embodiment of their collective dreams. His journey serves as a testament to the fact that dreams can be realized by anybody anywhere but through serious hardwork.
His story resonates with all of us, reminding us that success is not confined to the privileged few but is attainable for those who dare to dream and persistently work towards their goals.
Today, Mesake Nalase stands tall, inspiring countless others to embrace their own potential and overcome adversity.
His story reminds us that greatness knows no boundaries, and that by embracing the power of perseverance, we too can achieve our dreams and leave an indelible mark on the world.
So let us take a page from Mesake’s book, and let his journey serve as a reminder that with unwavering determination, resilience, and the support of our community, we can overcome any obstacle and carve our own path to success.
“Matju dau hila yali ga na vasu levu ni Lore, na tobu ni vuku ( This what makes us different, we the vasu levu in Lore, the lake of wisdom, Vasu levu ni Lore signifies where Mesake has maternal links to and the fact that any iTaukei person is always proud of where his or her mum comes from. Lore is a lake.
Indigenous Fijians boast or have pride in mountains, reefs and plants etc, any totemic representation of who they are and where they come from).
• AVENAI SERUTABUA is a youth human rights activist and mental health advocate from Nabukelevu Village in Serua. He writes fortnightly articles on rustic living and ‘sights and sounds’ from rural Serua. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.
