AT JUST 23 years old, Alipate Verenalewa Nakasava Radrodro, or Pate, has already lived a story that blends hardship, faith and relentless determination.
He is from the village of Jiliva, in the district of Nakasaleka on Kadavu.
Through his mother, he also has roots in Navutu Village, in the province of Nadroga.
As the youngest of four siblings, Pate’s name carries a special meaning.
“My parents lost a son before me, and they named me after him,” he said.
“That connection is something I hold close to my heart. It’s a constant reminder to give my best in life and make my parents proud.”
Pate’s early life was shaped at Suva’s Wailea Settlement, a place often talked about for the wrong reasons. But for him Wailea has been more than the headlines.
“Yes, it had its challenges, but it also had good, strong people who worked hard and supported each other.”
His upbringing was deeply rooted in faith. His father Manoa Radrodro was Methodist and his mother, Asenaca Namoce, was Pentecostal. Together with his siblings – Manoa Jr, Paulini and Vasemaca – Pate learned to find joy even in the toughest times.
“We didn’t have much and we faced plenty of struggles, but we always found reasons to smile.”
Pate attended John Wesley Primary School and later John Wesley College, walking to school most days, rain, or shine. The journey wasn’t always easy, but it built resilience.
“I still remember the games we used to play, zuru, pani, touch or down, butako sui, sipi, tag, netball, fairy, and so many more,” he said with a laugh.
“We’d get scolded for playing under people’s houses, but those are the moments I treasure.”
He describes his childhood as the last of the old ways from the ’80s and ’90s, mixed with the beginnings of modern life.
As a child, Pate dreamed of becoming a teacher, inspired by the way teachers guide students, prepare them for reality and support them in every way, but his interests evolved.
In secondary school, he discovered a love for commercial studies, which led to accounting and economics, and later a deep interest in human resources management.
“Helping people has always been a part of me, especially growing up in a community where many were looked down on. But as I got older, my career path shifted, even though the heart behind it stayed the same.”
His turning point came in 2018 during an attachment at Narsey’s Plastics.
“I met Mrs Elena Civoniceva, a HR officer.
“At first, I didn’t even know what HR meant, but seeing her work inspired me. I decided I wanted to be in HR one day, helping organisations succeed by finding and developing the right people.”
Life wasn’t without challenges. Pate’s family faced financial hardships, and he had to take breaks from studying to clear debts and ease the financial burden on his parents.
“Seeing what they went through made me promise myself that I’d work hard to build a different future.”
That promise has fueled his journey toward a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in human resources management and finance.
He describes HR as managing people so that organisations can thrive, and finance as managing resources wisely, whether for individuals, companies, or public institutions.
Today, Pate works with Envi Green Pacific Ltd, which is owned by Dr Paulo and Alice Vanualailai. He hopes to grow with the company.
“I’d describe myself as happy, joyful, and quick to forgive.
“I forget things easily sometimes, even if someone turns against me, I can’t stay angry for long. Above all, I’m grateful to almighty God and to all the people who have supported me.”
His advice to others is straightforward: “Be strong-minded and never give up. Life will throw challenges your way, but every struggle will be worth it in the end.”
