Before making assumptions, we need to delve into our experiences of the past. One of the dimensions could be that the people of Fiji are still scarred after what happened in 2000, as well as various other reasons.
At present no one can fully under estimate the might of the military nor would people wish to come across this terror again.
One would probably have the legitimacy to say that the Fijians are (as quoted by you) ‘one lamu sona race’- if one were to live in our people’s shoes- walking the streets of Suva and living in the outer most parts of Fiji. Mark Manning does not.
What is vitally important is for us to look at the bigger picture and to prepare ourselves for when FB and his crew are finally where they belong- jail. The 10,000 phone bill that Mohammed Aziz rakes up in a month is something he will never ever get to make in probably a few months time. His time is almost over. It’s inevitable.
But that’s beside the point so let me get on with it.
Before we go back to representative democracy (ie. the people choosing who they want to represent them); we need to firstly begin through deliberative democracy which is whereby the people of Fiji are consulted about the way forward.
The mistakes of the past governments in general- in making a blunder of things is first and foremost- not consulting the people in making policy and strategy. Social capital is just as important as anything else and must be invested upon.
By that I mean- the people must be involved at ALL levels of decision making, policy and strategy. In the past we have only consulted the people by imposing decisions that have already been made by the elite few.
A classic example of this is the silly NCBBF Charter- whereby it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out its fly by night popularity which was one sided to say the least.
Also, we often make the mistake of elevating people with the highest accolades just because they we think they have said the right things from an educated point of view.
Normally, this is given to professional people such as lawyers etc, who are often middle class males with no idea about what the grassroots community voices are crying out. Their version of doing the grassroots thing is probably having grog at the back dock behind the courts with the hired help.
Also, we welcome multiculturalism without being comfortable with who we are as a people. We chop and change to suit people. That is in our nature which is a great misdemeanor. I read an article yesterday where a British Army Soldier said that he was proud to be British and loyal to the Queen etc. He said that he no longer had loyalties to Fiji. What a load of hogwash!
And when we talk about being nationalist it’s as if its a filthy word and ridiculed as this term is associated with the likes of Dumuloco without fully grasping its true meaning. There’s nothing wrong with being a Nationalist- I am in the true sense of the word and not ashamed to say it- it is my human right.
My point is- let’s get back to the basics. Let’s hear what the people of Fiji really want. Just because someone speaks fine English it don’t mean that he/she is speaking the gospel truth.
The answers are from within and we probably don’t even realize this.
To demonstrate good governance, the voice of the people above all must be heard. The young must benefit from leaders, leading by example.
Lastly, there is nothing wrong with our culture and the church. We just haven’t learnt to draw a balance but most probably this experience will teach us that we need that balance.
Finally, we are far from sitting ducks, we do what we can to assist in moving Fiji forward even if it means that we support our villages and mataqali’s from afar- but we are doing our part.
The best is yet to come. I am positive of that. As a person in my early 30s-I am excited at the prospect of another phase into Fiji’s leadership.
Frank your time is truly drawing to a close. You don’t deserve the opportunity to ask for forgiveness. You simply need to pay for your crime, and we simply move on and maybe remember you (if we’re having a bad day) as someone who came and wasted the most part of the last 2 or more years of our lives.
You will become a diminished memory- nothing more nothing less.
End of story.
valeutu
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