31/12/2020
New Years Message from the SODELPA Party Leader.
NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE 2021
The following message has been issued today by the Party Leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party, Hon. Viliame R. Gavoka.
Suva, Fiji | 31 December 2020
Cola vina to my fellow citizens.
What a year 2020 has been Fiji. Let me just encourage us all that we need to pat ourselves on the back and thank our Good Lord that despite all that the year has thrown at us, we are still here! Resilient in our resolve to survive to overcome all challenges thrown our way, and ever optimistic that the future will be brighter as we work together hand in hand as a people and a nation!
We do not need reminders of our painful journey. Yet, it is sure that we will not be able to ignore that Fiji’s economy was hit by one disaster after another. From TC Harold, the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the added burden that Yasa has brought to bear, this will be a year unlikely to be forgotten in many of our memories.
There are many silent heroes in our communities that deserve commendation. Our parents, our children, our youths, our elders, together many of us have adjusted our lives to be able to cope with the challenges this year brought us all. Many took to farming, many to small business entrepreneurship of all kinds, and many created innovative ways to barter goods amongst our communities. We all dipped into our well of resolve to survive and overcome.
Then how amazing it has been to also see the reservoir of ‘goodwill and generosity’ of our people and the various individuals, agencies, NGO’s and faith-based organisations who sprang into action with the provision and distribution of food and essentials for those affected, including the daily provision of food for our school children. Vinaka vakalevu for your goodwill and love for your fellow Fijians!
It would be remiss of me if I failed to also pay tribute to all our front-line workers who have been at the forefront and protected us all during COVID-19, TC Harold, and TC Yasa. Thank you for your service and perseverance. Thank you for helping to keep Fijians safe and COVID free. Vinaka vakalevu.
I also which to express my thanks and gratitude to our neighbours New Zealand and Australia and to the other countries who immediately responded with help to each of the disasters we faced. Fiji will always be grateful for your friendship and your kindness extended to our nation and our people. We thank you all for being true friends during our time of need.
We enter 2021, knowing that we are not in the clear yet; with a few more months remaining of our cyclone season, and with COVID19 still very much part of our new reality. Although the arrival of vaccinations shows great promise of a global recovery, it will be in all of our interests to remain vigilant and prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. And while we have greater certainty that this pandemic will pass, no-one can say when, that will likely be.
On the platform of national political leadership. It would be remiss of me to ignore the other disruptions we faced in the midst of all that has happened this year. I speak here of our party SODELPA. I acknowledge that there have been much discussions and disappointments over the events that overtook the party during this already difficult year. We were suspended from Parliament, internal disputes occurred within SODELPA, a change of leadership which involved my election as Party Leader transpired and the subsequent resignation from Parliament and the Party by the former Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka. Many of us were taken to the brink of endurance as is expected of human nature, when our hopes are tested, and we wonder whether things could get any worse.
For Fiji, we have gone through four major political upheavals, and one of the major challenges in our transitioning back to a fully-fledged democracy that we once enjoyed pre-Dec 5th, 2006, is to get people to understand the big difference between democracy and dictatorship. Often our detractors point to SODELPA as a divided party in conflict.
But the truth is, SODELPA is democratically structured. Competing individual and group interests is commonplace as it should be, and the Party Leadership is expected to deal with this and manage it as best we can. In addition, the Party respects every member’s right to freely express themselves and object when they do not agree, and this includes any members right to challenge for the Party leadership and if elected leaders decide to resign and leave, we respect their right to do so.
So, as we enter 2021 and a step closer to the 2022 General Elections, I urge our members and supporters to give the new executive leadership time to sort matters out and remain steadfast and engage fully in the process to help SODELPA and our opposition partners get over the line and form the new government in 2022.
This year we mourned the passing of the Party founder and former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. We visited Mrs. Leba Qarase before Christmas and talked about the visions of this great man; visions that are core to SODELPA and a beacon towards 2022 for the Party.
This New Year’s celebrations will be unique with the unintended benefit that we derived from the negative impact of COVID-19, it shifted our families from always being there, to ‘front and centre’ of our lives, making us all remember that we are stronger together. COVID-19 has slowed us down to adjust and re-emphasise the importance of family as we move forward.
I ask that we look out for each other. In whatever small way we can, please consider your next-door neighbour and just ensure they have something to eat and drink during this period of pass over. I once was told, in Fiji, you will not die if you do not have food. You will only die if you have no relatives. We are all family! The Fijian family!!
On behalf of my beloved Ruci, my family and the SODELPA family, I wish you all a Happy and more rewarding 2021.
God bless you all and may God bless Fiji.
ENDS
Authorised by Hon. Viliame R. Gavoka
Party Leader – Social Democratic Liberal Party
66 McGregor Road, Suva, Fiji | Postal: PO Box 17889, Suva
Phone: +679 3301544 | Email: [email protected] |
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For queries or question, please contact the General Secretary on +679 9991864.
