The GCC Chairman’s comments about how he found criticism of the RFMF’s matanigasau to the Great Council of Chiefs ‘unfortunate’ is thought provoking as it reveals the tension between culture and politics.
Even more interesting is that this controversy persisted for a full week after the actual event concluded, especially on social media where given the volume of information being trafficked, most issues have turned stale by days’ end.
Here’s what I said about the RFMF matanigasau last week in a wider article about the origins of the traditional apology in iTaukei society and how I believe it has been politicised to the point where it is losing its power and true meaning.
————–
——————
Despite the defensive reaction by the Chair of the GCC, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, to my article and the social media comments of others, I won’t be apologising myself and stand by what I wrote about the RFMF matanigasau.
When such a ceremony is politicised, it risks losing its essence and invites criticism from those who may not fully appreciate its significance. It is this displacement of culture, into an arena that is supposed to be the forte of the rule of law, that has led to this sustained criticism.
In addition, there is another pertinent point worth mentioning – that Sitiveni Rabuka waited until he became Prime Minister to orchestrate reconciliation, using the gravitas, power and pull of the state to accomplish it.
What was he doing between his fall in the general election of 1999 and his subsequent comeback in 2022? Why did he have to wait for over 20 years to apologise? Or why didn’t attempt it when he led the country between 1987 and 1999?
An attempt at reconciliation as an ordinary citizen is more credible because it is done without the influence of a position of authority. True reconciliation is a personal effort. Why hadn’t Sitiveni Rabuka approached Dr. Timoci Bavadra or Mahendra Chaudhry and the other victims of his coup as a private citizen? Even if he had failed, it would’ve been perceived as honourable and genuine because it was done discreetly at a personal level.
The timing now suggests an opportunistic strategic approach rather than a genuine attempt at nation building. This undermines the credibility of the reconciliation process.
On the other hand, while I agree with the views of many that the nation is fortunate to have an RFMF Commander in Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai who has pledged steadfast adherence to the rule of law, it is unwise in the long run to be reliant on the benevolence of leaders for good governance. What we need are strong, vibrant systems and institutions for protection, as they are longer lasting.
Also, reconciliation without accountability for crimes committed renders the exercise meaningless.
Having said that, it seems the RFMF’s attempt at reconciliation is genuine and involves “consulting affected families”, seeking out community leaders and documenting atrocities committed. Yet in doing so, we are yet to see the level of Indo-Fijian participation in the exercise and how much the Indo-Fijian community still trusts the RFMF, given past traumas.
Now my take on some of the most recent political developments as more players emerge in the countdown to Election Year 2026. As the elections loom closer, moves are afoot as people and parties strategically move their chess pieces.
I happen to agree with Graham that the d’Hondt electoral system favours politicians with ‘rock star’ or ‘celebrity’ status, who have name recognition and that the Tui Nayau and Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Mara, would be a viable candidate for prime minister. Yes, the guy has skeletons in his closet, but which politician hasn’t?
What he has going for him is the Mara dynastic pedigree in politics and his chiefly heritage as the Tui Lau. And that the whole of Lau will throw their lot in with their chief.
The best indicator of the trust, pride, and loyalty to a chief is the number of people that attend his traditional investiture ceremony. The veibuli of even the Vunivalu Tui Kaba, the first amongst equals of all iTaukei high chiefs, pales in significance by comparison. The people of Lau are a sizeable voting bloc.
Still on the elections, the newest party on the political landscape is New Generation. It is composed of the three biggest iTaukei content creators who I wrote about last month. They have a combined following of over 400 000 and while this will not directly translate to votes, and they share a lot of followers, it’s still a number that cannot be ignored.
I have every confidence they will try and rope in Nai Takitaki Lalai too. And if they do, that’s a combined online support of well over 500,000. These numbers are staggering.
New Generation’s first interview got nearly 100,000 views and over 4,400 reactions and interactions. All they need now is someone with a national political profile to lead them, as they are relatively new and do not yet have a political footprint. Even then, their ability to influence public opinion on socio-cultural and economic issues, means that they have the capacity to move people.
In my opinion, they are acting purely out of the feeling of disenfranchisement and frustration they see in the generation of Fijians aged between 18 and 40. This generation seems completely disillusioned with the current aging leadership and and totally disconnected.
The biggest drawback they have, in my opinion, is that they seem to be actively courting only iTaukei votes. I would have thought that the New Generation moniker would also have signified a new more multi-racial direction but sadly, that may not be the case.
The other new party is the People First party ( see below) Unlike Next Generation, it is a de-registered party trying to reinvent, rebrand and recycle itself. It is made up of remnants of Fiji First. And what they have to offer is anyone’s guess.
CommonMan.
——————
The GCC on the defensive…
The original apology as a reported by Radio New Zealand…
And finally, the emergence of “People First” – the new party led by Inia Seruiratu and including other remnants of FijiFirst who haven’t joined the Coalition in government.
—————–
GD WRITES:
My thanks to CommonMan for stepping into the breach outside his normal publication day of Sunday to keep up the flow of content during my recovery from injury.
UPDATED SATURDAY:
As the late PM Dr Timoci Bavadra once said, Fiji’s “political stability rests on how well our present past and future leaders lead, ACCOUNTABLE TO THE MODERN WORLD, NOT RELYING ON TRADITION AND CULTURE TO MAKE THEIR RACE AN EXCEPTION TO THE LAWS OF POLITICAL LOGIC OR ECONOMIC GRAVITY (FT 14 May 1997)
Guess the late Dr. Bavadra’s words have come to pass!!
It pisses me off a great deal when I hear iTaukei words in the national debate.
It is as if the vulagi do not exist and that things are exclusively iTaukei.
These words exhibit isolation, separatism, apartheid and racism.
Tradition and culture are separate from the political debate.
The whole problem is the assumption and imagination by people that the iTaukei traditions and culture are the best and right. It is clearly not and it is clearly the main problem in Fiji and it is on public display daily but no one can see it………..except me that is.
So stop using all these iTaukei terms please because they are rubbish traditional protocols and they will never solve anything.
What more can us coconuts have that we do not already have?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690312757895725/permalink/4035611213365856/?app=fbl
The GCC Chair’s recent remarks in response to perceived negative comments online regarding the mataganisau ceremony seems, yet again, that everyone is obliged to kowtow to one cultural thought process.
Case in point, in demanding that mataganisau should be respected by all, he states…’slogans such as inclusiveness and diversity without walking the walk (sic) by demonstrating cultural sensitivity towards another culture.’
The chair went on…’members of the council have continued to show humility… making decisions and recommendations…with other races in mind.’
The irony of the first part of his statement in all likelihood did not cross his mind.
When other cultural group/ethnicities face disrespect and disrepair (e.g., vandalism of places of worship, disrupting cultural/religious events, etc.,) we don’t hear the same call for respect from the GCC let alone condemn such abhorent ethic-based targeted transgressions.
No apologies or condemnations for causing so much distress and psychological pain from the government either.
The one majority minority ethnic group who bear the brunt of all these anti-social criminal behaviours from itaukei youths have never practiced such vile behaviour in return. Never once have the minority groups taken anything by force nor tried to disturb the peace. The calls for respect, diversity, and walking the talk of inclusiveness are always directed at non-itaukei communities. So much for both sides practicing respect and inclusiveness.
Besides, if you actively exclude minority groups/coup victims from public contrition events at public expense, then you’re not really practicing inclusiveness, are you?
As a public figure in a leadership role using taxpayer funds for an un-elected body, some critique is to be expected. It goes with the territory of being in a public role.
Everyone else might not agree to only your demands and expectations. People interpret what they see: electioneering, rallying cries to ‘unite’ only one community are seen as calls to vote for one side, disguised as apologies and only amongst one community, while other groups are excluded. Everyone is aware that elections are around the corner.
Therefore, the rest of the population has reason to be skeptical with the largess of public purse to fund marathon apologies.
Excluding local media to report back to the public when the PM speaks to the GCC does not exactly promote inclusiveness either.
Nor is it an example of diversity when an exclusive group of unelected people meet behind closed doors at public expense.
The second part speaks to GCC humility and making decisions for all races.
This is to be expected, if not compulsory, because everyone pays taxes, and the public purse does not belong to anyone in one group.
Life is hard for 52% of the population. Focus on group farming and other village projects, lead and involve youth to better their lives. Not everyone can be a PALM worker.
The GCC could, for example, come up with tangible, achievable 3-year plans that help common people grow food and make them feel valued and help youth grow and advance self-esteem.
Grow a thick skin, too. Public commentary on numerous platforms is unstoppable in this digital age. Every remark shouldn’t lead to a knee-jerk reaction.
Humility, care, and concern for all is not a favour. Fairness is expected and required. Love of neighbor must be normal in society.
At the end of such gatherings, the least the general population should expect is perhaps a statement, summary, or a communique of some kind not just to keep people informed, but also feel included and valued in unity.
Advancing values of unity in diversity and love of neighbour are integral towards nation building.
The great council of coconuts must be talking about the humility displayed by the chief of the tovata confederacy when he allowed himself to savage on of his subjects.
The only help the gcc give is to their offspring and their latest squeeze.
Well-said! It appears there is an expectation of silence over their actions from all ethnic groups. Silence over here is equivalent to respect.
Current realities no longer support the view that respect be given just because. And if they cannot deal with any criticism then how can they be expected to lead the nation in navigating the challenges of today
Both the RFMF and Fiji Police are anchoring the majority of their actions in tradition, culture and religion and that too favoring the i-taukei. They are forgetting that they are leading instituitions which is part of the Western Democracy.
They seem to also forget that their are other etinicities who make up Fiji. The biggest victims of 1987 and 2000 political upheavals were the Indo-Fijian Community; Would love to see someone offer matanigasau to them. In fact it should be the GCC as they were the biggest supporters and beneficiaries of these two coups. Chiefs were all over the place in support of these 2 coups. That’s why I respect and love Bainimarama, who corrected those wrongs.
And there was someone on social media blaming the size of the tabua calling it disrespectful. I mean the things people come up with.
I do believe the Chairman is feeling a bit jittery that perhaps the itaukei are finally realizing that GCC is not all that they claim to be. He should together with the PM explain why their families are abroad and not in Fiji. And why were they not assisting their people even though they were dismissed. Should they have not been working with their kind (a very popular description for vulagis on SM) each day. You dont need to meet at grand venues and chow to able able to make a difference.
Why didn’t they squeak or speak regarding sacrilege, everyday violence and most recently the hullabaloo about the $50 note.
This man can only speak in a fake accent.
You earn respect, you don’t demand it.
It’s like the GCC and elite itaukei can only view the world from a single lens within their own bubble. Some may mean well, but it all comes back to a “this is mine and I can decide how to share with you” view of themselves and the “vulagi.” This viewpoint is quite paternalistic and condescending.
They seem to struggle to fly that bit higher for the birds eye view that can see all of the moving parts of society and focus on developing robust democratic systems that are “ours,” rather than “mine” and “yours.” Yes, land and assets can be owned, but not the systems that run a society.
The preservation of the iTaukei (and other) culture in Fiji is important, but equally important is separating out cultural preservation from political systems. Political systems are for all.
Any Government that’s systems are beholden to one dominant cultural group in a country is not a democracy. Fiji will only be a true democracy when it can learn the importance of separating Church and State, and of Political Systems and Culture.
+Fiji will only be a true democracy when it can learn the importance of separating Church and State, and of Political Systems and Culture.+
Nail meets hammer.
MUST READ. FROM VICTOR LAL’S FIJILEAKS:
https://www.fijileaks.com/home/the-indigenous-rights-bill-2025-the-last-generation-of-equal-citizens-how-the-bill-could-rewrite-fiji-into-a-two-tier-state-and-every-indo-fijian-who-believes-this-does-not-concern-us-is-standing-on-the-edge-of-a-cliff
“If this Indigenous Rights Bill is the first brick in a wall, Indo-Fijians and every other non-iTaukei community may soon discover they are watching, powerless, the slow dismantling of the equal citizenship promised to them in 1970, 1997, and again in 2013.
The Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill 2025 looks harmless at first glance. It claims merely to “reaffirm” UNDRIP. It reads like soft law, diplomatic language, ceremonial recognition. But beneath the ceremonial surface lies a legal architecture that, if extended or amended in the future, could divide Fiji into two classes of citizens:
Those whose rights are constitutionally and statutorily protected as inherent and collective, and
Those whose rights depend entirely on political winds and shifting coalitions.
This is not paranoia. It is the logical trajectory of the Bill as written. And every Indo-Fijian who believes “this does not concern us” is standing on the edge of a cliff with night approaching..”
The above is from Fiji Leaks at fijileaks.com which is a must read for a timely critique of the proposed “Rights of the Indigenous People Bill 2025”.
What is concerning is that the self-proclaimed guardians of Indo-Fijian interests, NFP’s silence is deafening on this issue.
What is clear is that the Indo-Fijians lack any genuine leadership in this country of their birth. Their privileges, human rights and dignity is being trampled by the Rabuka government, abetted by the likes of Biman, Agni and Sashi Kiran.
Whilst the new proposed parties like Unity Fiji, New Generation etc are appealing to the majority I Taukeis, there is no one speaking for the minority interests in Fiji.
It would come as no surprise that the minorities will continue to look at exit strategies, perhaps a win-win for the Coalition who betrayed us into believing that they would represent the interests of all its citizens.
Baiya,
Hindis are already 3rd class in Fiji. Behind the coconuts and kailomas.
Your leader baimaan prasad made it happen in 2022. Your fellow hindis from Auckland would make sure of it.
The sooner you accept it the less stressed you will get
Hopefully and finally the Fiji Indians have realised what some of us have saying for a while now.
Wake Up!
You are not appreciated in Fiji, get real and make the call for your family and generations to come.
Move on and live a life of dignity elsewhere and contribute to Australia,NZ,Canada or the US in whatever capacity possible
Do you wish this treatment to be meted out to your grandkids ?
Al the instruments of governance is skewed against you.
You’re treated unfairly and targeted on a daily basis.
Wake up!
Leave Fiji to Rabuka and his cohorts
You fools keep getting taken for a ride and it’s painful to watch and empathsise
Leave Fiji for the ITaukei
Indians are not that much more appreciated in NZ, Australia, US, UK either, unfortunately.
Leave it to them. As long as they are out and away from Fiji that’s fine, I think. At least they can have peace of mind and a better quality of life. Isolated dislike is everywhere. No big drama.
The indian character summed up by Siddiq Koya…..if there are only two Indians on an island they will most certainly have 3 political parties.
That’s ok. Only one party will have no votes.
A bit of background.
Hindi is an Indo-Aryan language written in the Devanagari script. Hindi is spoken in most of India and by the majority of the diaspora. The language is also known as hindustani.
India or Bharat are short names for the country. Also referred to as Hindustan.
“HIndis” is not a word.
The diaspora people of Indian heritage in Fiji are known as Indo-Fijians.
Hinduism is a faith tradition | Hindu is a follower of Hinduism | Hindi is a language.
Hinduism is an umbrella term for a range of Indian religious and spiritual traditions that are unified by adherence to the concept of dharma, a cosmic order maintained by its followers through rituals and righteous living, as expounded in the Vedas. The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest surviving religion in the world, it is also described by the 19th century term Sanātana Dharma.
The GCC is working at setting up an iTaukei apartheid state in Fiji. Like Zimbabwe, one rule for iTaukei and another rule for all others.
So sad.