Volume 19. No 3 ISSN 1029-7316
September, 2014
The independent student publication of USP’s Journalism Programme
WHERE
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NEWS
Breast milk is key by
EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
FIJI’s public health system is focused on helping mothers breastfeed well to reduce the alarming number of cases of malnourished children, said Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma. He said effective breastfeeding was key to reducing malnutrition in Fiji. “There are circumstances (when)women may not be able to breastfeed, but you must be able to breastfeed exclusively for six months and you must continue
breastfeeding for two years,” he said. “From six months onwards you need to com- HOEJSKOV plement food, introduce new food items so they have a balanced meal.” He said Fiji had an increasing number of malnourished children. Last year alone, about 420 children died from malnutrition. The problem was consistent in several other Pacific is-
land countries. The World Health Organisation recently raised the alarm over the Pacific’s serious malnutrition statistics. WHO’s Food Safety expert Peter Hoejskov said the region’s island states were faced with the “double burden” of obesity or overweight. This meant that that the island countries “have a large population that is overweight or obese, and they also have under nutrition in children below the
age of five.” Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minsiter’s Dr Jiko Luveni said it was sad that malnutrition remains an an issue in Fiji. “The problem is the awareness of the diet that is required so that we do not have malnutrition,” she said. “This is why for the very first time, why Ministry is providing food vouchers to pregnant women to enable them to purchase quality food, based on the need of
their babies.” Malnutrition cases have been reported in pockets in high density suburban areas throughout the country, including Qauia, Caubati, and between Nadi and Lautoka. A recent study by Save the Children Fiji found that a total of 420 children under the age of five died from malnutrition last year. Save the Children aims to halve the country’s current statistics by the end of 2014.
Return to non-motorised transport: IUCN by
LAUFALEAINA LESA
THE Pacific islands need to seriously consider using non-motorized transport, like cycling, on a daily basis to conserve energy. The call comes from one of the region’s top conservationists. “Look at us – we got off our bikes and into four wheel drives, on islands that are mostly flat,” said Taholo Kami, Regional Director Oceania of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, based in Fiji. Mr Kami was speaking as one of the panellists for the Innovative Partnership for Managing Climate Change in Small Island Developing States side event, at the United Nations SIDS Conference in Samoa. Energy security was the key subject of discussion. “There are certain things our people can do if given the right platform to do so,” said Mr Kami. “Getting back to non-motorized transport is one such thing. I’ve just returned from a meeting in New York where I was amazed to see so many people on their bikes. That’s also
USP staff and avid cyclist Sagaitu Kamea cycles along Queen Elizabeth Drive beside colleague Sarah Pene. IUCN Pacific chief Taholo Kami says more cycling needed. where many countries are heading. We in the Pacific also need to look at this.” The session heard from different Pacific island lead-
ers on the kinds of energy projects they are implementing to help reduce their dependence on imported petroleum fuels. These projects are
funded under what is known as the Pacific SIDS Energy, Ecosystems and Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative Phase I, totalling $6.5million Euros.
It is funded by the Governments of Italy, Austria and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. “This funding has given us the flexibility to do things like eco-housing loans, ecotourism and others we were never able to do before. We need innovation, and this fund has allowed us to do just that,” said Mr Kami. “Energy security is more than just climate change for us in the Pacific.” Meanwhile, more than US$1.9 billion (FJD$3.54bn), spread across nearly 300 partnerships, have emerged from the 3rd Small Island Developing States conference which has ended in Apia, Samoa. The partnerships for sustainable development were announced by governments, international agencies, private sector and civil society groups. The UN has hailed the “shining success” of the biggest international conference ever hosted in the Pacific Islands. SIDS was attended by representatives from 115 countries, including 21 heads of state and 97 ministers. n SIDSLIVE.COM
Skills vaccum prompts scrutiny by
ONORINA SAUKELO
THERE remains a significant mismatch of skills between students graduating from institutions and what the industries need, said the Fiji Higher Education Commission. Commission spokesperson Epi Rawalai said this was one of the main reasons for the large number of graduates who cannot find employment. “We’re calling on certain institutions to control intakes as well as review courses on offer (because) many graduates are graduating with the wrong skills,” he said. About 635 graduates registered with the National Employment Centre last year. Mr Rawalai said the commission was also monitoring higher education institutions to ensure they deliver a high standard of service. “We are monitoring institutions through our accreditation programs and we’re working towards institutions registering their program on what is called, the ‘Fiji National Qualification Framework,” he said. “Institutions now need to be recognised and registered in order to operate in the country.” Fiji has 94 recorded higher-learning institutions, of which 23 are fully registered. Mr Rawalai said the commission was working closely with the remaining institutions on their registration.
Lack of unity stifles growth by
GRACE NARAYAN
A MAJOR obstacle to the success of youth advocacy and youth development is the lack of unity among youth networks and organisations, and young people themselves, said Tahere Si’isi’ialafia, a pacific youth representative. The young Samoan youth advocate, who is on the Pacific Youth Council’s executive board and is the Deputy Global Focal Point for the SIDS UN Major Group for children and youth, said it was time youth champions and organisations and agencies, realised that more could be achieved by putting their differences aside. 2
This was needed to capitalise on the opportunities available and to chart a way forward for youth development,” she said. “There are many challenges in these international spaces that become major obstacles for meaningful participation and engagement of young people in the development processes towards Post 2015 agenda, but it is vital that young people and youth organisations and networks, work collaboratively and rise up together as a united generation working towards a sustainable future for all,” aid Ms Si’isi’ialafia. She made the comments in an
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online interview while at the 2014 Small Islands Development States (SIDS) conference in Samoa last week. Professor Donald Yeates, the USP’s Associate Dean, who is also an academic in social work, agreed with Ms Si’isi’ialafia. “There is always disunity in leadership positions particularly if youth are involved and that is the reality we have to face,” said Prof Yeates. “I believe youth need to collaborate and work on particular issues, considering other perspectives and building on it.” Ms Si’isi’ialafia said the other major challenge for youth was the lack of meaningful engagement
in international, regional and national spaces. She said while the SIDS Youth conference was not entirely a youth-led process, it was good to see the large representation of youth delegates, especially from the Pacific. This created an environment of diverse voices and ideas being shared among young people across the SIDS regions, she said. Ms Si’isi’ialafia said she hoped other decision-making entities would work towards ensuring an enabling space that allowed for young people to fully participate and engage in the planning, implementation and decision-making processes. Ms Si’isi’ialafia said
that despite a number challenges, the TALAVOU Youth Forum event at SIDS was a great opportunity where young people from across the SIDS regions discussed their common priorities and regional priorities. “The forum really opened us up to great lessons in terms of how specific youth liaison mechanisms such as the UN Major group for children and youth could work collaboratively with youth councils, youth ministries and other developmental agencies, in advancing youth development and achieving sustainable development for all,” she said.
NEWS
No new ‘proof of life’ by
EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
THERE has been no new visual evidence that Fiji’s 45 captured peacekeepers in Syria are still alive - 11 days after proof of life was first established. The location of the Fijian soldiers, who surrendered to rebel insurgents of the al-Qaeda-linked AlNusra Front on August 28, is also still unknown.
PM: No regrets over Syria duties by
EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said he does not regret the decision to enlist Fiji’s soldiers for UN peacekeeping duties in Syria. “...we have no regrets about having sent them,” he said yesterday. “It is Fiji’s contribution to the world. Standing tall. Keeping the peace.” Bainimarama made the comments while opening the new additions to the Savusavu market. “My Government is doing everything possible – working with the UN and friendly countries – to secure their release,” he said. He emphasised that Fiji’s peacekeeping soldiers had earned the nation “the respect of the world” and Fijians should be proud. Meanwhile, overseas media have questioned Fiji’s suitability for peacekeeping duties with the UN Disengagement Observer Forces because of their lack of sophisticated equipment. However, in an interview last week, while Brig-General admitted they did not have the high-tech equipment used in intelligence work, it was not necessary because their peacekeeping mission did not require this. He was responding to the question that the capture reflected a failure in military intelligence. VIDEO PODCASTS
The only proof of life released about two days after they were taken hostage was a group picture of 42 of the 45 soldiers posted on an alleged social media page of the al-Nusra Front. The insurgents, after listing three demands, have since withdrawn them and cut all contact with the UN negotiators. Military Commander Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga said expert negotiators
advised that this was normal, and that the rebels would resume communication. Brig-General Tikoitoga has not called a press conference since Saturday. A conference scheduled for Monday morning was cancelled 30 minutes before it was to be held. No reason was given. It was rumoured that the military had imposed a media blackout because
negotiations with the rebel insurgents were at a delicate stage. Attempts to verify this yesterday proved futile. The Commander’s Personal Staff Officer Captain Pio Varawa declined to comment on Monday night on the truth of a media blackout. He said all updates on the situation would be issued by Brig-General Tikoitoga. Meanwhile, two senior military
Insurgents threaten trial by Sharia Law by
EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
THE al-Nusra Front has threatened to try 45 UN peacekeepers from Fiji abducted last week in the Golan Heights, the London-based daily Asharq alAwsat reported last week. It said the jihadist alNusra Front declared that it would try the soldiers according to Sharia law. But Military Commander Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga said this was unlikely to be true and highly speculative. He said he understood that only Muslims were tried under Sharia Proof of life... The group shot of 42 of the 45 Fijian UN peacekeepers detained by the al-Qaeda-backed al-Nusra Law, which is the moral code of laws based on IsFront. (Source: Twitter page @JabhtAnNusrah, posted on August 31) lam.
No fear of backlash as a result of Syrian crisis: Muslim league by
Fiji Military Commander Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga CREDIT: MINFO
MUBEENA SHAHEED
FIJI’s Muslim community is confident that there will be no backlash as the crisis in Syria involving Fiji’s 45 peacekeepers enters its 11th . Fiji Muslim League president Hafizud Dean Khan said last week there was no need for fear because there was no danger posed to the Muslim community. “We are Fijians and we live together, and I don’t see that there’s any danger for the Muslim community of Fiji,” he said. “There’s no danger at all.” He emphasised that it must be remembered that the
CHECK ON...
Muslims in Fiji are Fijians, and that in a situation like this that affects the entire nation, there should be no separation along religious lines. Khan said Muslims were also praying with the rest of their compatriots for the release of Fiji’s men. In a press conference this morning, Army Commander Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga said the suggestion of such a backlash was ill-founded. He was referring to former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s comments that if the soldiers were harmed, there might be a serious backlash for Fiji’s Muslim
community. Brig-Gen Tikoitoga said it was very irresponsible of a former army commander and prime minister of Fiji to make such a comment. “I think it is inciting violence in Fiji and we should condemn it,” he said. He said the remarks reflected the “sick attitude of that individual”. “I reiterate: the RFMF will look after all Fijians and we don’t hold anything against any Fijians,” he said. Brig-Gen Tikoitoga suggested that the Fiji media should condemn Rabuka’s remarks and hold him accountable for them.
www.wansolwara.com by
FWRM GIRLS THEATRE PRODUCTION
officers, including the Land Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jone Kalouniwai, were scheduled to left for Syria to assist in negotiations. Fiji’s Ambassador-at-large Major-General Ioane Naivalurua was also on his way to New York to “put pressure on the UN system”. Fiji has also appealed to its Middle East allies and members of the Non Aligned Movement.
FELIX LESINAIVALU
THE Fiji Women’s Rights Movement held its annual girls theatre production last month at USP. Wansolwara went behind the scenes of their production, “A Series of unfortunate events: Fiji style” to uncover the success of the FWRM initiative.
by
LIFE IN THE LIGHT
BETTYLYN MATAKITOGA
RESIDENTS in the Nanuku Settlement, Vatuwaqa, are in the process of setting up their electricity and water services. Around 300 residents will benefit from this latest development with some saying that it couldn’t come at a better time.
by
ENCOURAGING PACIFIC CONCIOUSNESS
GERALDINE PANAPASA
USP’s monthly Market Day has gone thematic to add value to the popular event. The event will now take on Pacific themes to encourage Pacific consciousness. The Market Day is now held over two days at the end of each month.
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EDITORIAL
VOTE.
hope and glory endure, “Let freedom, onward vote together Fiji!
“
by EDWARD TAVANAVANUA Wansolwara Editor vote, these next few days should be a time to reflect on how important the opportunity is in influencing the next five years of Fiji. This opportunity must not be wasted. Vote because you can. For those of you disenfranchised because of what you have observed, do not let that deter you. In fact, these should be the very reasons you cast your ballot. Make it your business to know your candidate, to know they are worthy of your vote. In the last month alone we have seen Fiji form upward spirals of social solidarity like never before. Fiji’s first National Wom-
Your Say
allowance for livelihood and academic purposes. RAVINAL PRAKASH USP BA (Education)
ALLOWANCES UNPAID
AS we, the Fijian nation, approach the elections I have become more curious about the campaigns and manifestos of each party. Few questions arise in my mind and I would like to put it out there for the people concerned to respond. I believe the decree says that one month before elections the government should be dissolved. Has it happened? It was also laid out that no civil servant will be a part of the campaign yet it has been seen that the same office bearers who are standing as candidates for the election are campaigning for their party and are also holding ministerial positions. Is this true justice? Also, I have noticed that all other parties are giving answers and participating in debates and promoting their parties but nothing has been said from Fiji First party. Why are they not answering to the many questions being asked? Unlike other parties, Fiji First has its offices nearly in all towns. How is it that they have been granted permission to have offices setup while other parties don’t have one.
STUDENTS of the University of the South Pacific who had been awarded scholarship either by PSC or MEA have not been fulfilled by the allowance that we were promised to have been given every semester. The second semester of this year has been the worst of the case so far because some of the students book allowance hasn’t arrived and we are reaching the semester break. Students who did not get the money to buy books are studying without any text book and this will be a contributing factor to the decline in student’s performance. As for all the PSC student, the school fees hasn’t been paid and this can affect students in their academics because the payment for all fees at USP has been closed. One may ask the question to the relevant authorities as to when the fees will be paid and when will the allowance come because there are many students who depend on
CAMPAIGN QUERIES
ALSHAFARAZ GAZI USP BSC (Computer Science)
CONTACT US If you have issues you wish to raise in our Your Say column, please feel free to write to the Wansolwara news team. You may contact the editors via: E-mail: wansolwaranews@gmail.com Snail mail: The Editor, Wansolwara, Journalism Programme SLAM, University of the South Pacific, Private Mailbag, Suva, Fiji 4
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ens Expo leads by example. At the expo, more than 2000 women from 499 women’s groups around the country exemplified female empowerment unmatched to any event ever witnessed in Fiji. Women literally shook the Vodafone Arena, in Laucala Bay, to the progressive rhythm of gender equality - correction, human equality. A more recent example is the reconciliation ceremony of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. This allowed fellow members and supporters to resolve differences going back almost 50
And for those who have not, support our voters, support Fiji. When the votes are cast and the ballots counted, our votes will determine who we believe should lead Fiji, and when that time comes, the onus is then on us to honour our decision. The 2014 Fiji general elections may be a time of firsts and a chance to review democracy’s many pillars, but most important of all, it is about us. Lest we forget: We stand united under banner blue to honour and defend the cause of freedom ever. Let freedom, hope and glory endure, onward vote together Fiji!
Q: Is it important to vote and why? A:
SCHOLARSHIP DELAYS CRIPPLE STUDENTS I WISH to raise the issue of students facing financial difficulties to buy their books and food supplies. One simple solution to this is provide soft loans to our needy students, those on private basis and also to those scholarship student awaiting their book and living allowance. Majority of the scholarship students have not yet received their food and book allowances and this causes them a lot of problems - academically, financially and mentally. This is possible since students will return money on time, and if they fail to, then their grades can be put on hold. This issue can be solved via soft loans provide by the university and this step will bring lot of recognition for USP. BALBIR SINGH Religious Chairsperson USP Students Association Laucala
years. At the ceremony, the church’s communications manager Reverend James Bhagwan shared a metaphor that should resonate for all of Fiji. He said: “It is important that we take care of our own family before we go to our extended family...(this) is the significance of today’s reconciliation.” So vote Fiji because September 17 is happening and this is our reconciliation day, our chance to put aside our differences for our family, our Fiji. More than 550, 000 of our Fiji family have committed to vote.
Yes because it is my right to vote LITIANA GONECA, 23
Bachelor of Commerce, USP
I don’t know but I guess it’s my right to vote MARIANA WAQANIBAU, 23
Bachelor of Science, USP
PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLES KADAMANA
I
N exactly one week, Fiji will witness history in the making with many of us coming together as people of Fiji voting for the first time on September 17. Fiji will soon witness a media blackout of all general electionrelated coverage until further notice, with the exception of journalists allowed to report on the happenings on voting day. For some, this will be a time of dread given our coup culture. For some, this is will be a time of excitement given our developments. For all who have registered to exercise their democratic right to
Yes, it’s important because we need to have an elected government ATECA LOLOMA, 35 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
EDITORS If you have any news tips or events on campus Editor: Edward Tavanavanua that you want us to report on, please contact us. Deputy Editor/Arts&Culture: Onorina Saukelo Multi-Media Editor: Biutoka Kacimaiwai Chief Sub-Editor: Onorina Saukelo / Priya Chand You can also contact us via social media: Divika Maharaj / Ashneel Singh n Wansolwara Facebook page, Mubeena Saheed / Kalpana Kaajal n Tweet us @wansolwara or #wansolwara Advertising Manager: Edward Tavanavanua n Wansolwara ’ circle on Google+ Videos Coordinator & Editor/TA: Eliki Drugunalevu n Youtube Channel: Wansolwara News Television Lecturer: Ken Clark n All the newsroom on 3232186 Associate Editor / Senior Lecturer: Shailendra Singh Editor-in-Chief / TA: Irene Manueli
NEWS
USP head urges respect by
Students query no return of papers by
ONORINA SAUKELO
RESPECT for yourself and each other are important values to live by, said Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra on Friday. Speaking to the graduates, he reminded them to be tolerant. “Always respect yourself, your heritage, and our environment and treat your colleagues with respect and remember that differences are to be celebrated,” he said. “The respect that you show to all will be returned, and will set a positive and productive tone for your work and life.” “It is important to appreciate all graduates who are ready to use their education to contribute to the societies and economies of this region regardless of gender, study levels or home country.” Professor Chandra urged the new graduates to seize every opportunity “with speed and great energy” and to “bring to life ideas and visions”. He said graduation should not mean the end to learning because learning should be a life-long process. Of the 760 graduates, 40 per cent received postgraduate qualifications and almost half of the 43 Masters students who graduated were MBA degree holders.
Some of the graduates after the USP Graduation ceremony at the Vodafone Arena in Suva last Friday.
PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLES KADAMANA
Ex-dropout says ‘learn from me’ by
SIMON ABANA
DREAMS can be achieved with hard work and commitment, said John Omani, one of the 760 USP students who graduated on Friday. The Solomon Island national was relieved and excited to have accomplished his dreams of earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, especially after nine years of study. “Now my sleepless nights are paid-off; all is through commitment, dedication and hard work,” he said. “My family is the motivating factor behind me to make a decision to continue at USP.” Mr Omani is from the Malaita Province. His life story is one of perseverence because he dropped
out of school after failing his Form Five exams. Mr Omani said this was a huge setback for him, but he never gave up on education. He said his family motivated him to complete and this meant he had to take up extension courses at the USP Centre in Honiara. After a few years of studies, he earned a scholarship in 2010 to study for a Bachelor of Arts and Law. “For someone being drop out in high school and graduated at USP, ... learn from me; (I am) a testimony to others who drop out at high school that education does not end there,” he said. Mr Omani said university life was very challenging, but one must not be dis-
A jubilant John Omani at Vodafone Arena on Friday. PHOTOGRAPHER: LOWEN SEI tracted with the many social activities on campus. He said he would dedicate his knowledge to helping his community. “With the fulfilment of
my dreams and the achievement that I have, I will go back and begin my lifelong career of providing legal expertise and service in my country,” said Mr Omani.
CHARLES KADAMANA
FINAL examination papers will not be released to students because it is simply USP policy, said Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra. He was responding to a student’s query on why exam papers were not returned to them so that students can learn from their mistakes. Prof Chandra said all universities adopted this no-returns policy. “At USP we never release results of final exam but we are looking at how to give assurance to students that their papers have properly and fairly marked,” he said. “If the students feel their examination paper was unfairly marked, they can make an appeal to have their paper re-marked as part of the process and we will be looking at weighing how we can give the assurance. But we are not intending to return the final examination scripts because it has been the policy and many universities follow that,” he said. But the regional students insisted that they should see their final exam paper to verify their grades. Solomon Islands students have stressed to their student leaders of the Solomon Islands Students Association that the policy was not transparent. USPA regional chair Whitlam Saeni said the issue would be explored further.
All heart and hard work at historic expo by
One of the 2000 women who showcased their wares at the national expo. PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLES KADAMANA
GRACE NARAYAN
THE first National Women’s Expo saw over 2000 women from 499 womens groups nation-wide lay their hearts and hard work on the table. Vitinia Kele, 46, from the interior of Naidi, Savusavu said this created a greater opportunity for women to showcase their talents and marketing their handicrafts. As a member of the Manavure Women’s Art group in Savusavu she said they focus on making coconut products because of the high demand. The group operate from a home where workshops on the making of these handicraft are carried out.
Most female high school dropouts attend the workshops to acquire these skills to ensure some source of income. Apart from coconut products, the group also made medicinal oils from kura (a fruit with medical properties) that has proven to be healthy for the skin. She said they received government assistance to run more workshops in other rural areas and this had proven to be very helpful. Asilika Tiko, who came from Taveuni, also had coconut products on display. She said the event inspired many women who were unemployed to take interest in making a business out of such homemade handicraft. She said they were all eager to
learn to better their craft so that they could improve their livelihood. Mrs Tiko said coconut crafts would remain their main interest because there were a variety of produce they could make. Among these unique products were things like coconut water vinegar, coconut jam, coconut soup bowls, and coconut honey. She added that coconut honey was cheaper to produce and it was among her best selling items. “Molasses is expensive and only available at the sugar mills,” she said. Mrs Tiko said she wants to expand her market and intended to acquire the necessary skills to help her do this.
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REGIONAL
Forgotten peacebuilders
Conflict analysis must include the people, says researcher
by
PRIYA CHAND
COMMUNITY resilience was a major factor that could contribute towards the nation building efforts in the Solomon Islands, said a researcher at USP last month. The researcher, Dr Anouk Ride, who graduated from the University of Queensland, was presenting her PhD research
entitled Divided yet one: Narratives of conflict and peace in the Solomon Islands. “It is often the ordinary people who are the peace builders but they are not recognised in conflict analysis and academic research,” she said. “If we are going to look at conflicts and why it happens in society, let’s not only look at the elite
groups, like the militants and government.” Dr Ride’s research analysed causes and manifestations of conflict in Solomon Islands by comparing the academic literature on conflict in the Solomon’s, with the Truth and Reconciliation report (TRC - released in 2003), and narrative analysis by a group of creative writers. The ethnic tension
emerged in the Solomons in the late 1990’s to 2003 over land issues between the Isatabus on largest Island, Guadalcanal, and migrant Malaitans from the neighboring island. The country has been striving since to recover from the intense rivalry that crippled the nation. Sam Alasia, a historian at the presentation, said common identity and unity
must be consolidated in order to achieve peace. “The system needs to be arranged in such a way which is conducive to the common identity and unity,” he said. “Whether it is political, social or economic and I think maybe it should start with political: the political system should change.” He added that a bottom up approach was needed
and the people, state and church needed to work together somehow. Gordon Nanau, a politics researcher and lecturer at USP, said it was essential for the main stakeholders to work together. “In general, the church, tradition, including family and the state, are the critical institutions that can unite people,” he said.
Aviation standoff affects students by
CHARLES KADAMANA
SEVERAL Solomon Island students have been forced to miss this semester because the standoff between the Solomon Islands and Fiji governments over air space meant a more expensive flight route to Fiji. Solomon Island students who preferred not to be named said many of their friends have had to miss this semester because they could not pay the extra costs. Those who returned travelled on Air Niugini from Brisbane to Fiji. Many of the students arrived two weeks into the semester. USP Student Association president Whitlam Saeni said students whose flights were delayed for more than eight hours, were then required to pay about $1000 in extra charges. SAS spokesperson Totivi Bokoni Ratu said USP had made provisions and accommodated for the Solomon Islandsgovernment-sponsored students. “There were no major difficulties faced by SAS in the late registrations of Solomon Island students,” he said.
Work progresses on the new block of halls of residences at USP’s Laucala Campus.
New apartment plan thrills ni-Vanuatu scholars by
NAVEEL SWAMY
VANUATU students at USP Laucala camous are thrilled about their government’s plans to build an apartment especially for them.
Vanuatu Students Association president Smith Koro said the new apartment would help solve a lot of accommodation problems faced by their students. “There is lack of ac-
commodation on campus and I must say that more than half of our 400 students are living outside campus,’’ Koro said. “This initiative is a positive one because it will provide Vanuatu stu-
Fiji ready for ‘low threat’ Ebola virus by
SONAL SINGH
PHOTOGRAPHER: Charles Kadamana
focus at the moment was on raising awareness through the various media on the situation. He said a travel advisory had been issued to caution Fijians against travelling to West Africa because of the outbreak. He said those who recently visited the West-African countries were being “screened and assessed before entering the country”. Last week, the Health Ministry issued a substantive travel advisory to urge all Fiji citizens against non-
FIJI is prepared to handle the Ebola virus should it reach our shores, said Ministry of Health spokesperson Sunil Chandra. However, the chance of Ebola entering Fiji was “very low,” he said. He addedd that the ministry had sufficient resources to counter the virus. He said a special taskforce had been formed to ensure that all the necesary preventative measures were in place. The 6 SEPTEMBER>2014>www.wansolwara.com
essential travel to Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria until further notice. This followed the World Health Organisation’s declaration of an International Public Health Emergency to prevent the spread of the disease. Last week, medical scientists at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center confirmed that the fears of Ebola spreading beyond West Africa to Europe, North America and further were unfounded.
dents with accommodation which will be cheap and convenient,” he said. He also said students who lived off campus faced a lot of problems in terms of paying rent because sometimes their
allowance came late. “Even the on-campus, students complain about the rooms because they are too small and they also lack cooking facilities,” he said.
Death penalty sparks debate for Kiribati by
JOSAIA RALAGO
KIRIBATI students at USP’s Laucala Campus are following closely the parliamentary readings of an amendment to introduce the death penalty in their homeland. The move to enact the death penalty was prompted by the recent death of five women as a result of domestic violence. Education undergraduate student Mere Taulua said she expected the issue to
be divisive given the sensitivity. Taulua said while she did not condone domestic violence, she felt it was deeply wrong to take another life. “I think that it is not right because they will be killing the husbands,” Taulua said. “I am satisfied with them being punished by being put to jail. The parliament had passed the first reading of the amendment to the penal code earlier this week.
ENVIRONMENT
Study to undo turtle confusion
by
EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
An ongoing genetic study on the origins of sea turtles monitored in Fiji could clarify confusion on the marine species’ conservation status. The World Wildlife Fund Pacific is collaborating with the University of the South Pacific Marine Studies to determine the actual conditions of sea turtle populations from Fiji.
Young sea turtle monitors take interest in preserving the marine species.
This comes after sea turtle monitoring Dau ni Vonu (DnV) network made several reports failing to clarify whether sea turtle populations are under threat or improving. DnV works under WWF Pacific and with the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries and recently made these conflicting reports in several news outlets, including The Fiji Times and Radio Australia.
However, WWF Pacific Marine Species Projects Coordinator Laitia Tamata believes the reports do not contradict. “Sea turtle population is improving while there is still illegal harvesting happening,” he said. Tamata added that because sea turtles are migratory species it makes it difficult to accurately monitor them and clarify their conservation status.
“We cannot out-rightly state this because we do not know which turtles are birthed here in Fiji,” he said “However, data from the community turtle monitors does indicate an improvement as a result of the Moratorium placed by the Government in order to restock the turtle population.” According to WWF Pacific, currently nine turtles have been
Picture: WWF Pacific of
BS
tagged with satellite transmitters that showed they remain in Fiji waters. Turtle meat remains a delicacy in Fiji and some of the Pacific, exacerbating sea turtle consevation. WWF Pacific is working with the Fiji Environmental Law Association to clarify the moratorium, especially the processes of penalising those caught harvesting without permits.
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A DnV hunter turned monitor returns a turtle to its habitat
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Lady Daunivonu is the fourth Loggerhead to be tagged in Fiji.
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www.wansolwara.com> 2014>SEPTEMBER
7
FEATURE
The insta-news Social media’s influences on press freedom in Fiji by EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
O
nce upon a time journalists produced news, and their audience consumed it. However, it seems the journalists of today function beyond their geographical standing, beyond ‘producer’ and ‘consumer’, and beyond the tradition of print and broadcast journalism. But at what cost?
S
ocial media journalist Peter Jukes replies to my queries as he tweets news updates of the Levenson Inquiry from inside the courtroom in London. He says he fears the effect social media has on press freedom may be “overrated”. “Though social media
are brilliant for community cohesion and social activism they are in more repressive states,” he says. “ T h e Snowden revelations of [National Security Agency] surveillance show how quickly these tools for communication can be used to invade our privacy.” “The iPhone is the best device ever for contacting friends: it’s also the ideal state surveillance too – a bugging, tracking, and camera device all rolled into one.” But there are concerns that even social media has its limits, and media freedom being one of many, as it operates within a series of legal and political frameworks.
Fiji-based journalist and editor of Repúblika magazine Ricardo Morris feels social media contributes to press freedom as it lacks the moderation found in traditional media. “Due to its very nature - existing in a cloud of computer servers - government agencies have always been interested in the question of how to control the content and discussions on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and blogs,” he says. “While traditional media may play down or ignore certain events, social media can be used as a gauge for public opinion.” According to Nigerian freelance journalist Chika Oduah, social media is unique because it establishes a direct relationship between concerned citizens and local authorities. “In Nigeria, where I’m from, a lot of young people, they have Twitter, they have Facebook pages, there are a lot of bloggers here, and it has really opened up the space for media,” she says. “You’ll see that even the Nigerian President’s aids are even responding to people on Twitter, so the President’s spokesperson has a Twitter feed, so kind of comments directly to people on his Twitter feed.”
A
ccording to the deputy director of the Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility in the Philippines Professor Luis Teodoro, social media does not warrant external regulation. “As vehicles of free expression, social media should be subject only to self-regulation,” he says. “Free expression and press freedom are rights that are too vital to the health of society to be regulated by an external authority such as the government.” Unfortunately in Fiji, there are many external
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bodies and decrees, such as the Media Industry Development Authority, Fiji Media Watch, and the 2010 Fiji Media Decree, which border on self-censorship because of government regulations, impacting on how local journalists have gone about their work. Morris, who recently resigned as honorary coordinator of the Pacific Freedom Forum, says “official regulation” hinders the development of the media industry in Fiji. “Any form of official regulation of the media is not the way to help ‘develop’ a truly pluralistic, fair and balanced media industry,” he says. “Having said that I recognise that the creation of the Media Industry Development Authority [in Fiji] was an attempt to [do] for the industry what it should have done for itself - face up to the questions of ethics, fairness and be more honest in how the media industry was responding to complaints about the way it practised journalism.” Morris says he resigned because of implied pressures by MIDA chairman Ashwin Raj that a journalist could not also be a “credible” advocate for media freedom. “Public comments of the chairman of MIDA, Ashwin Raj, specifically [mentioned] Pacific Freedom Forum as one of the alleged ‘praetorian guard’ of media freedom in Fiji that ‘lacked legitimacy,” he says. Morris challenged MIDA’s claims PFF “lacked legitimacy” because it operated mostly online via emails and Facebook group discussions. “Raj did not address the question specifically but said that he did not mean that journalists could not defend their own profession but that when they write under an advocacy role they should declare their interests, which is what any ethical journalists would do anyway,” he says. “I did not want to get into
a war of words over issues the PFF raised but rather resign under protest to focus the spotlight on the effects of government media regulation.” But should social media regulation include both a journalist’s professional and personal opinion.?
S
elf-censorship is based on the media practitioner’s fear of harm, Prof. Teodoro explains, “when it happens, it suggests that there are real threats to free expression and press freedom which must be addressed.” “Naturally selfcensorship has a deleterious effect on press freedom.” South African radio journalist, Fiona Lloyd, who is also as an international media trainer specializing in conflict-sensitive reporting, especially in situations of political transition and or violent conflict, reiterates this fear. “I have indeed encountered many examples of self-censorship, sometimes this arises from fear,” she says. “But often it comes from a desire to ‘minimise harm’: especially when journalists feel that their reporting may ‘fan the flames’ of violence.” Lloyd feels that with the prominence of social media, external media censorship or self-censorship is no longer possible or desirable “for the sake of peace”. “Social media is the breeding ground of rumour, gossip, and speculation, more than ever, people need clear, reliable, credible information,” she says. “They need to make sense of the tsunami of ‘news which deluges them around the clock: to separate what is fact from what is fiction.” Jukes, while reporting on the Levenson Inquiry, noticed the British press censored itself for six years over phone hacking at Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World. “Only [freelance inves-
tigative journalist] Nick Davies at The Guardian fought to expose it, and he was vilified by the press in the UK, and the Press Complaints Council,” he says. “Press freedom is meaningless if we forget that most newspapers are parts of global media businesses with their own commercial and political interests.” Jukes says unlike social media, traditional media “is not free if, like in Britain or Australia, it is owned by two or three rich men”. “Journalists and editors might think they’re independent, but they always end up seeking work, and pleasing their paymasters,” he says. Over the past seven months, Jukes says he has tweeted over 500, 000 words from the phone hacking trial. “I’m effectively using new media to report the monopolistic failures and abuses of power of the old media,” he explains, “most established journalists get this.” “Because I don’t have to answer an editor, or serve the agenda of some large corporation, I’m quicker off the mark, and less likely to be censored.” Meanwhile, an online journalism lecturer at the Birmingham City Univeristy in the United Kingdom feels self-censhorship is quite natural. “Everyone practises self-censorship, and social media is a good illustration of that: we construct our public identity in a very particular way by choosing what we talk about and how,” Paul Bradshaw says. He adds a person’s persona changes given the context of a given situation. Therefore, how would a journalist using social media be any different. Is it possible that Bradshaw could be using selfregulation and self-censorship interchangeably? And if we naturally do it then why is it an issue?
FEATURE
phenomenon
...and beyond Meanwhile, Oduah and Lloyd stress that any form of regulation or censorship should only come to pass if social media is being used for the purpose of inciting violence and hate speech. However, sometimes there is a fear that exists amongst those in power and in control of the mainstream media when it comes to the potential of social media to provide an alternate, independent source of the truth. “Ethiopia had had a lot of the press clamped down on to kind of stop people from going on Twitter because they are afraid of what Twitter can do,” Oduah says.
A
ll of a sudden the topic of citizen journalists arises. Bradshaw succinctly puts it: “we trust people who happen to be on Twitter, Facebook, or on the phone. We don’t trust ‘Twitter.’” Oduah is fast to make
the distinction between citizen journalist and professional journalist. “Citizen journalists are not journalists, citizen journalists are concerned citizens who are using the media, but there’s a difference,” she says. “Journalists learn how to communicate with the media, citizen journalists don’t know how, they just do it – they just post a picture on a blog.” “A journalist knows how to do it – a journalist, they have training, they have judgment, they have a different motive.” However, some may argue that this allows them to exercise Article 19, “freedom to communicate beyond borders,” of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Morris views citizen journalists as being his equals in the profession. “Citizen journalists have just as much rights as other
established journalists, but to be viewed as credible, citizen journalists must also hold themselves accountable to their audience, to the ethics of the profession and the regulations that govern the media industry.” Jukes recognizes citizen journalists are able to transition to professional journalists. “I think citizen journalism has to earn its credibility,” he says, “but it will do so.” “Many great journalists and experts arose out of blogging: Nate Silver was an anonymous diarist at Daily Kos. Brown Moses has become the world’s go to expert on arms in the Syrian civil war, just from blogging from his bedroom.”
I
n many developing countries social media is a mechanism for change through citizen and professional journalists. Papua New Guinean
based journalist Abigail Liperet says social media has been a way forward for PNG. “For so long people in PNG have never had a voice that is loud enough to be heard,” she says. Liperet adds social media has been able to work as a buffer zone for news in PNG with the multitudes of “individual voices” or “group voices” taking to Facebook or Twitter. “It has made the job of mainstream media easier,” she says. “The mainstream media cannot be slashed every now and then for exposing things these days, there are thousands of people exposing things on social media.” These journalists and Journalism experts tell Wansolwara that with social media they find that
some journalists have a new found confidence that they may have neglected in ‘traditional media’. “There is a big difference, more journalists are now gaining confidence, coming out more, engaging more with people through social media to achieve common causes,” Liperet says. “In a country like PNG where corruption is a huge problem and challenge for many, social media comes in handy in the fight for transparency and accountability and also for service delivery.” But ‘traditional media’ or ‘old media,’ as Prof. Teodoro corrects me, still plays a crucial role in presenting the status quo. However, Oduah says ‘traditional media’ is the most appropriate term giv-
en the prevalence of print and broadcast media today. “I don’t like the word old because old implies that it is outdated,” she says. “And it’s not outdated! We’re still reading newspapers, we’re still reading magazines, it’s just traditional meaning that that’s how it started.” Bradshaw uses another analogy to explain this, and all of media should take heed. “Facebook is sometimes described as a ‘frenemy’ – something which is both a friend (because it is a platform which brings in audiences) and an enemy (because it competes for advertising spend and could compete elsewhere)”. “But a journalism which seeks to compete with social media by not using it is like a newspaper publisher which seeks to compete with the supermarkets by not selling its newspapers there.”
www.wansolwara.com> 2014>SEPTEMBER
9
Stand united, we of Fiji, fame and glory ever by EDWARD TAVANAVANUA
THE National Archives of Fiji has taken advantage of social media and the response from the online public has been overwhelmingly positive and the timing could not be any better. Digitising these important insights to Fiji’s history allow the public to treasure what could be lost forever. According to NAF Director Opeta Alefaio, maintaining the quality of these images is a struggle with limited resources and conservators to carry out restoration. Having joined Facebook in 2011, he added display-
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ing a fraction of the sixtythousand photos in storage has helped the public understand what NAF does. And what they do is give us glimpse as to how far Fiji has come and how far we can go. With general elections in just under seven days, the NAF has provided Wansolwara with some images of the country’s political history. From Fiji’s independence from Britain in 1970 to its various Parliaments over the fifty or so years. Fore more details on all (historical) images Fiji, check out NAF’s Facebook page, or wansolwara.com
FEATURE
Salusalu:
Artform that’s FADING fast People should be encouraged to find out what the tradiotional salusalu of their vanua is PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLES KADAMANA
... we should do our best to record it and keep it somewhere safe for future generations
Salusalu artist Losalini Ubitau from Lau shows off the base of a traditional salusalu. by
ONORINA SAUKELO
A
USP research aims to document the evolution and practice of making traditional salusalu (garlands). Researcher Johanna Beasley said the study would record the regional salusalus and document their making, content and purpose and would also investigate and document which plants used for making salusalu are dying to make sure their cultural knowledge does not die with them. “Very little information on salusalu practice is documented in Fiji, reflecting the oral tradition of passing on cultural information in Fiji,” Beasley said. This was one of the significant challenges about engaging in such research, she said. Hardly any of the earlier writers had documented the art of making salusalu. “One very thin books titled Na Salusalu exists in the Pacific Collection but descriptions of cultural practices did not include the practice of garlanding,” she said. “Much has been written in tourist information from other Pacific countries like Hawaii and Samoa but not in Fiji.” Beasley said the inclusion of certain plants in salusalu identified the region from which the wearer hailed from. A significant change is the adoption of artificial flowers. “The smell and the region are an important part of the process of salusalu and using artificial content rather than the dried vou to make flowers will change the nature of the salusalu,” she said. “Regional differences may disappear, for example, the Tagimoucia flower from Taveuni, is threatened and this will impact the salusalus from Taveuni as the red flower is a core part of their salusalu.” “Anecdotal evidence from the flea market salusalu makers has also confirmed access to once readily available plants has become more difficult in the Tailevu region where there was once easier access,” she added.
Beasley said people’s migration to urban areas also has resulted in new hybrids of salusalu being developed because they did not have access to the plants they normally relied on. “Women who do not come from Lau for instance are making their version of the sisi ni Lakeba salusalu, something that was not permitted in the past.” Salusalu maker from Tailevu, Torika Nayabo said the original way of making salusalu in the different regions was less observed now. “Older people need to teach the younger generation on how to make the original salusalu and its cultural importance so this practice is continued,” Nayabo said. Another salusalu maker, Rosi Misiki, from Lakeba in Lau said certain flowers too might become scarce at times because they were seasonal and may only be used when available. Associate Professor Paul Geraghty, a prominent itaukei language and culture expert said the study of salusalu had been largely neglected in the study of Fijian material culture and it was an area which was thankfully still alive. “A lot of salusalu which are made nowadays are made from various parts of Fiji and they are being moved around so you will find the kinds of salusalu which was originally Lauans are now made in other places outside of Lau,” he said. Geraghty said it was important that we record what we know about the making of salusalu from the earliest records back in the 19th century and that we also study photographic material over the centuries and compare it to the situation we have today. “Certain traditional salusalu from certain places have been lost because they were not passed on from generation to generation,” he said. “People should be encouraged to find out what the traditional salusalu of their vanua is and then, because we now have means of recording this by either video, audio or writing, we should do our best to record it and keep it somewhere safe for future generations.” www.wansolwara.com> 2014>SEPTEMBER
11
REGIONAL
Strong opposition The need for a vocal Opposition is critical for democracy and should be encouraged, opines PNG academic by
by
BAL KAMA
W
ith a rapidly depleting Opposition, the National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, made a controversial remark at a public gathering in Port Moresby, that “PNG democracy can survive without the Opposition.” According to Governor Parkop, the members of the O’Neill-Dion government are capable of holding the Executive accountable and democracy can flourish under this condition. The Registrar of Political Parties, Alphonse Gelu, is concerned that the mass exodus of members of the Opposition to the coalition government is ‘very dangerous’ for Papua New Guinea’s democracy. But for Governor Parkop, it appears the Opposition is unnecessary. As evidenced by commentators on social media, the remark is controversial for three reasons. First, it comes at a time when the Opposition is vocal and has been responsible for bringing to light the ‘Parakagate’ affair. It was the Opposition Leader, Belden Namah, who raised the issue in Parliament and tabled the alleged evidence, including the purported letters implicating the prime minister. Namah’s deputy, Sam Basil, continues to release media statements challenging the government, while Dr Allan Marat appeared to engineer awareness on many of the complex legal issues implicating the government. Given the size of the Opposition (three out of 111 MPs), their achievements in keeping the government accountable in an era of unprecedented socio-economic development is commendable. Putting a stop to the Opposition is unimaginable. Second, PNG’s political history has clearly indicated that the Executive should be held accountable to greater scrutiny. While members of the government, including Governor Parkop, may try to make some noise against the Executive in an attempt to demonstrate accountability, one can hardly hear them raising the most critical issues. The silence during Parakagate is an example, and Governor Parkop is a individual example of such silence. He initially threatened to challenge the Manus deal in the Supreme Court, but has remained quiet and the task now falls to the Opposition. It is likely that the silence within government ranks on these critical issues was to maintain solidarity within the coalition government or, as the Opposition claims, it could be due to the apparent threat to withhold $4 million of District Support Improvement Project (DSIP) funds from the MPs – a charge dismissed by the government. Whatever the reasons, the Supreme Court, in handing down its decision
12
Call to reclaim Pacific identities
A child from Milne Bay Province in PNG in dance costume. SOURCE: Amanda Maharaj in the 2011-12 constitutional impasse, reinforced the need for scrutiny of the Executive. In that case, the Court criticised an abusive Executive with a tendency to exploit ‘fundamental gaps’ in the PNG constitution for ‘political convenience rather than acting in the best interest of the country’. The recent criticisms by members of the Executive against the decision of the Ombudsman Commission to recommend Prime Minister O’Neill to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office further reinforce the need for scrutiny of the Executive. That cannot be achieved within the government ranks, as Governor Parkop seemed to suggest, but externally, and the Opposition is best placed to make sure it happens on the floor of Parliament. Third, a comment coming from a learned parliamentarian raises some serious questions about the durability and relevance of the current Westminster system of government in PNG. Finance Minister James Marape dismissed fears that ‘weak opposition is bad for our country’ as mere ‘western political idealism’ but he or Governor Parkop failed to prove that the alternative can work. The constitutional drafters were very cautious in accepting the Westminster system (CPC Report 1974) and Sir Michael Somare recently admitted that he ‘rushed many things’ in claiming PNG’s independence. Could this be one of those ‘rushed things’? Maybe it is time for PNG to reassess these systems as the country nears its 40th year of independence. Australia may also need to reassess its objectives in dealing with that system. Bal Kama is a PhD Candidate at the College of Law, Australian National University. This article was published on the DevPolicy blog of the Pacific Development Policy Centre.
SEPTEMBER>2014>www.wansolwara.com
DRUE SLATTER
WE need to reclaim our Pacific identities by revising our western-centric knowledge systems and adopt the values and teachings of our Pacific forebears, said youth activist Jason Titifanue. Mr Titifanue, a USP postgraduate student and youth activist, said this was one of the main themes at last week’s Wansolwara conference in Madang, Papua New Guinea. He said there is a need for a paradigm shift “to unlearn certain concepts regarding wealth and resources” and to reclaim traditional knowledge and schools of thought. “Western paradigms have forced us into an individualistic mentality,” he said in an online interview last week. “Resources are no longer used sustainably or for purpose of community but rather, we are accumulating resources for the purpose of
profit,” said Mr Titifanue, who was part of the USP student delegation that attended the conference. His comments reinforce social justice advocate Aisake Casimira’s address at the beginning of the conference in which he raised the need to revise economic models. “Just because global models encourage mining, excessive fisheries and logging does not mean we must follow,” said Casimira of the Pacific Conference of Churches. “We appear to think that not having money in the bank means we are poor (but) that’s not necessarily true. It’s time to rethink even the way we think.” Casimira said the Pacific needed to ensure the least fortunate were not neglected. He said “what we can do...is to put in place policies which ensure that a nation’s wealth goes back to its people.”
REGIONAL
Mt Tavurvur affects 100K
by
DRUE SLATTER
MORE than 100,000 people were affected by the Mount Tavurvur volcanic eruption in East New Britain (ENB), Papua New Guinea two weeks ago. In an online interview last week, Abigail Liperet senior journalist of The National said the ENB
provincial government had focused its relief efforts on the supply of food rations and clean water to those affected areas. “People in the affected areas, although feeling stressed about what the eruption on Friday has done to them, are at calm, totally” she said. “I guess we have lived
with ongoing mild eruptions for the past 20 years causing them to be at ease and ready to build a new home, new life again.” Liperet said 1 million Kina (FJD $760,000) had been allocated for relief by the PNG government. ENB authorities estimate that an additional PNGK 2 million (FJD $1.5
million) would be needed. Ms Liperet said ash and rock from the volcano eruption destroyed farms and water sources in the Raubul district, where Mt Tavurvur is located. Plumes of ash covered up to 18 kilometres of airspace causing concerns for flight disruption in Australian airspace.
While volcanic activity has since quieted down, the need for food and water in affected areas throws a huge problem and challenge for the East New Britain provincial government. ENBPG has also called on people in other parts of ENB to help with the supply of food and water. The
local media’s help was also sought to disseminate public health messages to help prevent viral outbreaks. Mount Tavurvur remains the most active sub-vent volcano in Rabaul. Its last major eruption was in 1994 when it damaged much of the surrounding area and forced the relocation of Rabaul town.
FIJIAN ELECTIONS OFFICE Below is a sample of the ballot paper that will be used by a voter to cast his/her vote in the 2014 General Election.
Nearby locals watch as Mt. Tavurvur throws ash and rock into the sky.
Source: SUPPLIED
Mt. Tavurvur in full force on the afternoon of 29 August.
Source: Daphne Pelgen
Mt. Tavurvur has died down, but the after effects are a daily battle for locals.
Source: SUPPLIED
www.electionsfiji.gov.fj
facebook.com/Fijianelectionsoffice
twitter.com/ElectionsFiji
www.wansolwara.com> 2014>SEPTEMBER
13
The Allocation of Seats In the 2014 General Election, the Fijian Electoral Commission will determine from the total number of votes which 50 candidates will occupy the 50 seats of Parliament. When the results from all polling stations have been received and then tallied in the National Results Centre, the Final National Results Tally will be delivered to the Electoral Commission by the Supervisor of Elections. This Tally will contain the total number of votes received by each candidate and the total number of votes received by each political party. The party list of each party will have been arranged in descending order, the party candidate with most votes being at the top, and the one with least votes at the bottom In the example presented here, there are 6 parties (A, B, C, D, E, and F) and two Independent candidates running.
Table 1 Candidate’s Number 211 140 390 277 137 381 143 299 248 371
Party C Name
Name Name Name
Votes 10,200 10,060 4,113 3,717 3,221 1,233 1,052 1,084 900 882
List continues
53,890
Name Name Name Name Name Name
Table 1 presents the party list of Party C as delivered by the Supervisor of Elections. For space reasons, only the first ten candidates’ names and totals are presented (out of the full 50 candidates Party C is running). The total number of votes gained by all 50 candidates is at the bottom. The Electoral Commission takes the totals for each party and independent candidate and puts them at the head of separate columns under the name of each such party and independent candidate. See table 2.
Table 2 Party A
Party B
117,064
Party C
23,441
53,890
Party D
Party E
29,112
Party F
Independent 1
67,099
221,457
Independent 2
27,504
10,462
Table 2 shows the total for each party and independent candidate of our example. The total valid vote is 550,029 (which is the sum total of all the figures in table 2). 5% of that figure is 27,501.45 (called the threshhold). Any party or independent candidate that does not get 5% or more is eliminated. Party B (with 23,441 votes) and independent candidate No.2 (with 10,462 votes) fall under the threshold of 5% and are therefore eliminated. They will not be allocated any seats. Now begins the allocation of seats. See table 3 This is done by dividing the total votes of each remaining party and remaining independent candidate by 1, entering the figures under the names of the respective parties and independent candidates. For parties (but not for independent candidates) the top row of figures is then divided by 2, then by 3, then by 4, and so on, up to the number of candidates a party is running. It enters the resultant figures (termed quotients) in their respective columns. The figures will be rounded off to the nearest whole numbers. For reasons of brevity not all the possible figures have been entered in the columns of the example (table 3)
Table 3 Divisor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Seats
14
Party A 117,064 58,532 39,021 29,266 23,413 19,511 16,723 14,633 13,007 11,706 10,642 9,755 9,005 8,362
12
Party C 53,890 26,945 17,963 13,473 10,778 8,982
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Party D 29,112 14,556 9,704 7,278
3
Party E 221,457 110,729 73,819 55,364 44,291 36,910 31,637 27,682 24,606 22,146 20,132 18,455 17,035 15,818 14,764 13,841 13,027 12,303 11,656 11,073 10,546 10,066 9,629 9,227 8,858 23
Party F 67,099 33,550 22,366 16,775 13,420 11,183 9,586 8,387
Independent 1 27,504
The Electoral Commission then determines which are the 50 highest figures (50, because there are 50 seats to be allotted). It marks these figures by putting a circle around each of them, in order, up to the number 50. (In the example, the figures are shaded instead.) The number of highlights in the column of each party and independent candidate is the number of seats due to that party or independent candidate. In Table 3, the total of seats due to each party and independent candidate is written at the bottom of each column of the table. The Electoral Commission must now determine which candidates of each party are to occupy the seats won by that party. This it does by looking back at the party lists, ordered according to who got most votes, as given by the Supervisor of Elections. The topmost candidates on each list will occupy the number of seats that party has won. Looking back at our tables we see that Table 3 indicates that Party A won 12 seats, Party C won 5 seats, and so on.
6
1
In Table 1 therefore the 5 candidates at the top of Party C’s list are deemed elected. (And so on for the rest.)
SPORTS IRB to change name THE International Rugby Board will become World Rugby from November 19, 2014 as part of a major rebranding programme. The new brand and logo will be launched at the IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in London on November 17-18. Global Rugby participation has boomed to 6.6 million players over the past four years. This has largely been driven by the commercial success of Rugby World Cup, the IRB’s development strategies and record investment, and rugby’s re-inclusion in the Olympic Games.
vwww.irb.com
Desperate for win USP men’s football gun for win against FSM by
NAVEEL SWAMY
THE USP men’s soccer team is training hard to reclaim the top spot at the Fiji Universities Sports Association Tournament (FUSA) this month. Frank Manibulau, one of the senior footballers of the side, said the team was eager to finish better at the September 17 inter-tertiary tournament. At the annual tournament last year, the side lost
in the semi- finals to the Fiji School of Medicine; the eventual winners. Manibulau said the loss was one of their main motivating factors to do better their performances this time around. “We had won two years in a row and this year we are desperate to go on the winner’s podium again,” he said. “The boys are responding well to the training which we have on weekdays from 5pm,”
He also pointed out that unlike professional outfits, their team was dependent on who was available and not necessarily the university’s best footballers. “Those who are regular at training, have good football knowledge and skills, do have an advantage of making the squad,” he said. USP fitness Instructor, Sports Qabrielli Qoro said USP would field two men’s
teams again. He added that despite the men’s soccer performance, USP performed well overall because the women’s football team and the futsal men’s team won their events. He said all registration costs and the various team’s meals would be paid by the university. The estimated total cost for teams is expected to be about $7,000-$8,000.
Key weapon for uni football team by
LOWEN SEI
A FORMER national footballer of the Solomon Islands will be a key weapon in USP Football’s campaign for the top spot at the inter-tertiary tournament later this month. Forward Rafael Ramo said he knew how important this tournament was and he expected competition to be tough. “My aim is to give my best during this competition, and also hopefully win the cup,” he said. “I think every year is getting tougher as more players enter each team, which makes the tournament really tough.” Ramo was part of the national team for the shortened code in the Under-12 category. He later represented his country in the U17 squad. A major injury forced him to abandon his dream of playing the national team. “Due to my injuries, I became more focused on my education, which eventually got me studying here in Fiji,’’ he said. “But I still hope to further
develop my skills and maybe one day be chosen to play for my country again.” He first arrived in Fiji in 2011 and began playing with his friends at the Vaturara Park every evening. His foot work caught the USP coach’s eye and he was soon drafted for duties. That same year the USP side clinched the inter-tertiary title. “2012 was one of my memorable years in Fiji,” he said. “It was my first major football competition in Fiji, all the teams were really good but I think we have some outstanding players which makes us better.” Ramo said much of his football style was like that of his favourite soccer player Roberto Carlos, the late Brazillian football star who was known for his powerful shots and his speed. “(Carlos) got the speed and powerful shooting skills that I think no other players can match,” he said. “I learnt a lot from him (Carlos), and I am hoping to be better like him when I ran into the field.”
Degree is like gold: Takayawa by
USP forward Rafael Ramo at team training at the university grounds. PHOTOGRAPHER: Charles Kadamana
CATHERINE THAGGARD
IT was just like receiving the South Pacific Gold medal, said former national judo rep Viliame Takayawa Junior. He was referring to when he received his degree at the USP graduation on Friday. Vili, as he is commonly known, graduated with a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. “It is the same feeling I felt when winning a gold medal,” he said. He said his wife was a great motivator in the struggle to complete the degree. The businessman said the biggest hurdle was having to do his own paperwork, something that was very different from work. He said his need to set a high standard for his six children was also another motivator. “I did this for my kids and have now set the bar high, they have to beat me,” Takayawa said. He said he had to teach his children that education was important.
Vatubua signs with Italian rugby club by
NAVEEL SWAMY
USP Rugby’s Sailosi Vatubua will soon be Italy-bound after scoring a contract with the Rome-based professional rugby club, Lazio. Vatubua, 24, a student at USP said he was overwhelmed with the opportunity because it was an excellent platform to make a name for himself. “I want to use the God- given tal-
ent to the fullest,” he said. “Going to Italy is a challenge but I expect things to fall in place as things go on,” Vatubua said. He said while language would not be a barrier, he expects that it would take some time to adjust to the culture and lifestyle of the European rugby-loving country. Vatubua, a former Marist Brothers High School athlete, represented
Marist in the Deans before he left for Australia, where he played a bit of rugby league. “I can play in the loose forwards and in the back line, but I feel I can be more influential in the centre position as I have a good running game,” he said. Vatubua credits his rise in rugby union to his USP rugby coaches Apenisa Vodo and Malcolm
Williams. “They are very humble people who help people who do not have a rugby background and turn them into good rugby players,” he said. Williams, who focuses on player’s conditioning, said Vatubua was a dedicated player who always put in his best. He said, more importantly, Vatubua was an intelligent athlete.
“If we introduce anything new, he would ask us where we got it from as he likes to learn new things, which is a good thing,” Williams explained. “I believe he can have a successful career as long as he (remains) dedicated and focuses on the task at hand,” he said. In an online interview this week, Lazio said they were looking for-
Fiji rugby academy
Elite school vital for ruggers’ transition
Vatubua signs with Italian rugby club
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ITALY BOUND...USP centre Sailosi Vatubua has secured a contract with a professional rugby club in Rome. Story on Page 15. SOURCE: SUPPLIED
USP may join NRL tourney
NAVEEL SWAMY
USP could field its own rugby league team as soon as next year. The possibility comes after USP was selected by Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) to play a one-off match against a touring university league team from Australia next month. USP sports coordinator Qabrielli Qoro said the FNRL approached them to field a team. “The touring university wants to play a university in Fiji and we were the first choice for FNRL,” he said.
THERE is a need to set up a schools rugby academy in Fiji, said the Secondary Schools Rugby Union President in a recent interview. Napolioni Silatolu said it was very important to maintain and enhance the capabilities of the secondary school players. “I think setting up an academy will definitely bridge the transitional gap from the secondary schools to provincial and National side for these young teenagers,” Silatolu said. “It will also provide officials with accurate monitoring of players.” It is very important that we find a way in maintaining and up skilling our players as they are also required to represent the nation in Under-20 Rugby World Cup Championship. “The modern rugby has gone through a lot of advancement and most international countries have rugby academies where young players are nurtured and groomed to become elite players,” he said. “I think it is time we also venture into providing our players such a structure.” Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Radrodro Tabualevu said rugby development at grass root level
“We sent out an email and 54 students have responded to the email, which I believe is a good number,” said Qoro. He said USP had committed to provide the players for the game where as the jerseys, coach and expertise would be provided by FNRL, and the training would be held at the USP grounds. He said if the boys performed well, they might consider registering a team with FNRL so that they could contest in the regular rugby league competition. USP gym manager Mark Fung was
was an essential matter of discussion. The Fiji Rugby Union is determined to put emphasis on the development of the tier two (B Division) and secondary schools rugby. “For far too long have I critiqued in regards to development from the side lines but I guess now that I am in the hot sit I need to address development issues,” he said. “As a rugby lover I am much determined to provide support and infrastructural development for the B Division and Schools rugby competition.” “We need to indulge in a discussion with the SSRU and the provincial unions to find ways on how we can best administer their concerns.” Fiji is more then capable of hoisting the Web Ellis cup which of course will need extra commitment and determination from everybody, he said. “There is a lot of raw talents and depth out there,” Tabualevu said. “All we need to do is grab the opportunity and mold these talents into becoming stars. Fiji Rugby Union is providing contracts to players which I think is a good initiative to retain players throughout the season,” he said. Tabualevu said he would try to do his utmost best.
assigned to oversee the players welfare. “At the end of the day these are our students and their safety is important to us,” he said. He also said the difficult task they were facing was to get the interested boys together to work out date and training schedules with them and FNRL. He also added FNRL will be conducting basic rugby league skill session along with field and gym sessions. USP is looking to recruit 25 players for the current squad.
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ASHNEEL SINGH
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