Sir Josua Rabukawaqa was one of a few Fijians who were bestowed with knighthood in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth II.
On the front page of The Fiji Times on January 1 that year, Sir Josua expressed how he was overwhelmed by news of his knighthood.
Sir Josua was a polished diplomat, experienced civil servant and a quietly calm organiser, the article said. His name was recommended by the government.
“I accept it warmly, not only for myself but rather for the sake of thousands of people who support and helped me in deeds and thoughts,” he said.
Sir Josua said he was particularly grateful for the loyalty and faithfulness of his wife and five children, relatives, close friends in Bau, Bua and Ra, expatriate friends, chiefs, leaders and Government staff – past and present – and those who helped with the European Economic Community negotiations and Lome Convention.
Sir Josua joined the civil service in 1938 and was Commissioner Central from 1968 to 1970 when he was sent to London as Fiji’s High Commissioner.
As ambassador to Brussels since 1971, he played a leading part in EEC negotiations. He returned to Suva as an EEC expert in the Foreign Affairs Department and was secretary to the royal visit organising committee.
Sir Josua was a respected musician. He was a singer, conductor and a famous composer in the country.
He read music in Auckland and took voice training, piano and violin. In the 1970s, he was involved in composing and conducting.
Sir Josua’s project in music at that time was to compile early Fijian music, “to place it on record and let the experts follow up”.
Another was the assembling and rehearsing of a choir of up to 1000 to sing at an ecumenical service for the Queen.
He said if the knighthood was an indication of how the Government valued his efforts in life, he would continue to do his best and praise God for His guidance and blessings.
Meanwhile, another outstanding Fijian who was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) was Somwati Sheila Nandan.
She was a former assistant matron at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Her name was on the New Year’s Honours list.
The report said Mrs Nandan was a foundation member of the Fiji Nurses Association. She was a member of the Poor Relief Society since 1959, of which she later became treasurer and trustee and vice president.
She was an active member of the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association and held offices of treasurer, vice president and president in 1972 and 1973.
Mrs Nandan was made honorary member of the St John Ambulance Society in 1967, and in 1972 became a member of the Tamavua Hospital Board of Visitors.
In 1973 she became chairwoman of the same board. In 1974, she joined the International Soroptimist Club (service organisation) as an executive.
During all those years, Mrs Nandan sacrificed much of her time, assisting the Bayly Clinic in Suva, the Intellectually Handicapped Association and the Suva Crippled Children’s Society.
