USE your gifts and talents you have; don’t keep it to yourself.
These are the words of 20-year-old Esther Tehilah Jikoibau whose goal is to make an impact with her voice and follow her parents’ footsteps in spreading love and compassion wherever she goes.
The daughter of former rugby 15s rep Jikoibau Matawalu and school teacher Cherrie-Ann Powell, Esther was one of the participants in the local singing competition called the FMF Vocal Battle, aired on Fiji One in 2024.
Since the competition, she has performed at gatherings and events. Esther spent most of her childhood in Sigatoka and attended Sigatoka Methodist College where she gained the confidence to perform in public.
“I gained my confidence when I used to sing in front of the entire school,” she said.
“I would tune choruses for the school choir and it kind of gave me a boost. When I started in uni, I joined a ministry on campus called Student Life and I guess they saw the potential in me. Next minute I’m on-stage leading praise and worship”.
Growing up, Esther was exposed to many genres of music, particularly polotu, synonymous with the people of Lau.
“My dad is from Tubou, Lakeba so he was very influential in terms of my singing. My mum is from Savai’i, Samoa and she’s an amazing soprano and alto singer.
“So, the inspiration in what I’m doing right now is from them”.
Esther didn’t think of what she was getting herself into when she auditioned for the singing competition. She was oblivious to the fact that there was prize money to be won.
Encouraged by her friend, she entered the competition ‘just to try it out’.
“Honestly, I came to know about the prize money after I passed the audition stage. That’s when I realised there was something at the end of the competition.
“I was surprised when the producers of the show called to say that I had been selected in the top 20 spots. From then on I said ‘you know what, I can’t back out now’.”
Esther is a student at the University of the South Pacific.
With God at the centre of her life, she continues to passionately participate in church as a youth member, fulfilling the wishes of her parents
As she furthers her singing career while juggling work and school, Esther continues to be a role model to her younger siblings, and her fellow youth members.
