The Fiji Times » Opinion

Editorial comment – Making tough calls

Pete Navosailagi was loved by his family. He would have celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday. In fact his mum, Adi Ateca Vokili, looked forward to the big day. There was cause for celebration, for many reasons. Ms Vokili said she spoke to her son last week. He had called her to apologise that he would...

Separate ethnic boxes

Two African-American women gathered together a group of other African-Americans and raised enough money to purchase 97 acres of land in the state of Georgia in US. A new city will be built on this land, to be named “Freedom”. Plans have already been drawn up to provide a place where, as one of them...

Letters to the Editor – September 21, 2020

State of democracy in Fiji IN yet another insightful and thought provoking article in his Sunday column, John Kamea points out that the UN International Day of Democracy “provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the past and consider the state of democracy that we Fijians are in” (Where do we stand – FT...

Editorial comment – Alcohol and our curfew

The revelation by police that most people arrested for curfew breaches on Thursday and Friday were intoxicated is sort of becoming the norm in a sense. There have been quite a few people arrested drunk and in breach of curfew hours recently. With the panic, uncertainty and frustrations built up by the COVID-19 pandemic, you’d...

In search for peace

International Day of Peace is observed on September 21. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly to recognise and strengthen the ideals of peace. What is peace? That is the question disturbing so many as the mind is bombarded with multiple thoughts and questions every moment, unsettling the...

Unity and faith – Part 8

The view of the scaffolding that surrounds the Vunisei Methodist Church will only be around for another month or so. The goal of the $100,000 plus project is to ensure one of the oldest Methodist Church in Toga District remains viable, said Aminiasi Driu, Vunisei Church consultant. Mr Driu said the nearly 200 families that...

Letters to the Editor – Sunday, September 20, 2020

Decision making WHAT if Nadroga had opted to take the penalty and the three points rather than continue with the pick and drive? Nadroga lost the ball and Namosi scored a try. Namosi defended the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy 15-6. Certainly it was not Nadroga’s day as they lost the cup to Namosi twice. Next year Nadro!...

Editorial comment – Some encouraging news

The revelation that Australia has reportedly opened up its borders to certain parts of the country for New Zealanders is interesting. However, we learn that travel between the two trans-Tasman neighbours will only be allowed for Kiwi nationals and not their Australian counterparts. Speaking on the new decision reached on Friday, Australian High Commissioner to...

NCDs Club … We don’t want your membership; no more a silent killer

IT is called the ‘silent killer’ but for crying out loud, this name for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) leaves me speechless. NCDs are no more silent than O’Rielley’s Bar on a quiet night. The disease is everywhere: in advertising and the media, in fast food restaurants, at parties, on the beach, in bars, in hospitals and...

Talanoa: Fiji’s role models – 20 biggest influencers

BULA readers, this week I thought I would give you a little insight into some of our local and very much loved influencers located in our beloved Fiji. These individuals are not your run of the mill people who are pushed by a certain brand product or political party to try and gain popularity, rather...

Editorial comment – Plan for the holidays

The end of our revised school term yesterday would have left an indelible impression on the minds of the family of two brothers who allegedly drowned in Lautoka. The brothers had reportedly skipped school to go swimming with friends when the incident happened. Shivnil Singh, 17, and his 16-year-old sibling Shalveen Singh were students of...

The dilemma our educators face

IT is indeed true that if a learner is immersed in his/her learning environment and is creatively involved, then real learning occurs. Today’s language educators in our primary and secondary classrooms are often faced with the dilemma to make or not to make noise in their classrooms. It reminds one of Shakespeare’s philosophical dilemma in...

Cybersecurity challenges

This year has been a tumultuous year of paradigm shifts and changes on a global scale affecting all nations and people regardless of race, creed or religion. The COVID-19 pandemic brought out vulnerabilities in a lot of areas and governments, organisations, businesses and individuals have been forced to refocus and reprioritise where they spend their...

Market forces: Is this why council elections are, er, stalled?

A small article in Monday’s The Fiji Times caught my attention. It was headlined Stall approvals to come from CEOs, says Mrs Kumar. Local Government Minister Premila Kumar was in Lautoka speaking to its special administrators and the chief executive officer. This seems to have been a media event. Perhaps, it was Mrs Kumar’s turn...

Letters to the Editor – Saturday, September 19, 2020

Tigers extend lead This week’s round of soccer action both locally and internationally is set to kickoff. The English Premier League started as giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool got to a flying start. Fans were also entertained to the Police IDC. This week the Red Devils, after a pre-season 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, face...

$10b debt liability – A precarious financial position

Many people know that the national debt is fast approaching $8 billion. But do you know that the debt liability of this Government is already over $10 billion? Our GDP is about $9 billion. This means that we are wallowing in debt. What do I mean by debt liability? Debt liability includes the government debt plus...

Vaccines — myths and facts

We have all experienced it in our childhood, receiving vaccinations at school from a young age, leaving a small mark or scar on our upper arm or deltoid. We have the benefit from the Public Health Immunisation program that provides immunity from most diseases, but ensuring security from diseases such as smallpox that have plagued...

Letters to the Editor: Friday, September 18, 2020

Juice of life “If you cannot find a job, don’t give up. Look for something you can start and earn money with. No job is small. If you work hard and are determined you will definitely achieve something in life — patience is key.” (FT 17/09) This powerful message was shared by Keveni Seru who...

OPINION: Why there’s a need for COVID-19 tests

Only about 20 per cent of new Australian coronavirus cases are presenting with signs of fever. That’s according to the latest epidemiological data from the COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team, looking at cases up until August 30. A spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services said: “A cough, sore throat, and...

Editors comment: Something to think about

The fact that the Nadi International Airport has been ranked in the top 10 most scenic airports of 2020 by voters around the globe is encouraging. In fact it should truly inspire us as a nation. According to PrivateFly, a global private jet charter broker company, voters said the views of the Nadi bay and...

Letters to the Editor – September 17, 2020

Outstanding performance by Suva skipper I have been very impressed with Suva’s James Brown’s recent performances in the Skipper Cup and Farebrother competitions. He has been outstanding especially at the back of the scrum as number eight or the so-called the last man down. He led Suva to a scintillating victory over the Stallions last...

Editorial comment – Not the time to step back

Nadi Hospital COVID-19 Response Unit head Dr Pablo Romakin made an interesting comment at the recent Fiji College of General Practitioners Western Faculty mini-conference in Nadi. He raised an important issue that must be looked at critically. He said an incident where three people in quarantine drank alcohol with officers tasked with monitoring them highlighted...

‘Pacific aid effectiveness is by no means a new concern’

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it — George Santayana Pacific aid effectiveness is by no means a new concern. As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recorded more than 20 years ago, ‘the ADB project failure rate is twice as high in the Pacific islands as in the Bank’s overall...

Letters to the Editor – September 16, 2020

COVID-19 inspiration If there’s something that Fijians need now to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is inspiration. Repeka Nasiko’s article titled “Tuidama stays focused” (FT: 15/09) would have lifted the hearts and spirits of many Fijians who are struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Mereani Tuidama, who is a market vendor at the Lautoka...

Editorial comment – Our little reminders

Every time we read of people coming off COVID-19 quarantine facilities after 14 days in lockdown, there should be a sense of appreciation of how we are faring as a nation. Negative tests come with a sigh of relief in many quarters. It means we live to fight another day so to speak. It ensures...

Lives of kids at stake

COVID-19 threatens to undo decades of hard-fought progress in reducing deaths of children under the age of five, UN agencies have warned, calling on countries to ensure vital health services for children and women do not falter amid the global crisis. The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in...

Opinion

Letters to the Editor – September 22, 2020