HON PRIME MINISTER SPEECH ON CROWNING OF THE MISS HIBISCUS

Hon. Sitiveni L. Rabuka
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, Civil Service, Information and Public Enterprises

• Special Administrators;
• Organisers of the Suva Hibiscus Festival;
• The Nine Queen Contestants;
• Esteemed Judges;
• Distinguished Guests &
• Ladies & Gentlemen.
1) Bula Suva! Bula Viti!
2) Good evening to you all.
3) I accepted the Invitation to be here tonight, to close the week-long festival because I know and understand the pride and joy of the people and the Vanua of Suva, Na Turaga na Tui Suva, and the people who now live and work in our Capital City and its peri-urban areas, about this longest running festival in Fiji, it has been going since 1956, although there had been some spells of ‘political, or pandemic – forced’ breaks.
4) I want to pay my respects, tonight to a great friend, and Former Lord Mayor of Suva, the late Mr Vijay Rhagwan, who passed away earlier this week. I was asked to speak at his Cremation Service at the Dignified Crematorium in Davuilevu this afternoon.

5) The Late Lord Mayor Vijay Raghwan’s Company built the Civic Center during the Alliance Government era, and until his death, this week was President of the Fiji Master Builders Association.

6) He was a great friend of mine, and we attended many Presidential Prayer Breakfasts in Washington DC with some US Presidents until Covid-19 interrupted those annual events, which have been revived for the first post-Covid 19 face-to-face and Zoom interaction for February 2025.

7) I will remember him as a kind-hearted friend who lived ‘Christian love’.

8) May he rest in peace.
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9) Festivals are significant social events in Fiji and none is bigger than the Pacific’s Premier Festival, the Hibiscus Festival.

10) This Festival started as the Suva Jaycees or Junior Chamber of Commerce Festival.
11) The first in 1956 was only a one-night event at the Suva Town Hall (which is now the Vineyard Restaurant).
12) Suva has become somewhat, a Pacific, even universal, melting pot and this year, our nine Queens show this admixture of peoples. One friend of mine, Mr. Greg Copley, currently working with me on the development of my concept of promoting the Pacific into the world as ‘The Pacifc as the Ocean of Peace’, in one of his recent books (2018) titled ‘Sovereignty in the 21st Century’ calls this admixture phenomenon, ‘CRATOMETAMORPHOSIS’ – ‘the Crisis for Identity, Cultures, Nation-States, and Civilizations’.

13) The Hibiscus Festival is an opportunity for the City-Fathers to bring our communities together to rejoice, join various fun activities at the grounds, and have a good time with a happy festival mood.

14) At the same time, the Festival presents an opportunity to empower young women, who participate in the Miss Hibiscus pageant with judging and other public events during the weeklong festival.
15) As Prime Minister, I have seen how the Festival empowers the Queens and provide a platform to not only the eventual Queen, but the other contestants who benefit from the public exposure.

16) As you all know, the Queens visited Parliament this week and Parliament proudly boasts two former Hibiscus Queens on the Government benches, one a Cabinet Minister and the other an Assistant Minister and Deputy Speaker.
17) The Festival improves their public public speaking confidence and opens up doors of opportunity to all involved.

18) I also acknowledge that pageants are but one way for young people to be mentored.
19) I acknowledge the many organisations and leaders who mentor and take young people who become future leaders under their wings.
20) This week, my great-grandchildren have come down to the Foreshore and enjoyed the face-painting, food and activities on offer.
21) Fortunately, they were not in the vicinity of an incident which caused anxiety of those close by, when one of the ‘Fun Rides’ experienced some malfunctioning. That happened while some members of a family that lost a loved one in a more serious and fatal incident – which according to the family, the investigations into which have not been properly concluded, are still waiting!
22) I again call on all involved, especially Government agencies, Municipal Authorities and Business Operators who participate in our Festivals, to be mindful of ‘Safety and Security’ measures needed at these crowd-collecting festivals.
23) I was also very disappointed when the Organisers of the Opening March, blocked out the group from Drug Free World Fiji, from marching with their Promotional Banners and pamphlets to be distributed for public awareness of the dangers and damaging effects of the use of Drugs. I have called the Minister Responsible to fine out from the Administrators who are here tonight why that happened, and they should be prepared to justify their actions, or they lose their positions of Responsibility.
24) I hope that those who will be cleaning up the venues of this week’s festivities will not find any evidence of Drugs use during the festival.
25) But, to the many who have made the good events of this week possible, Vinaka vakalevu!
26) To all contestants, judges, organisers, vendors, and stall operators, thank you for a wonderful memory for the children and people of Suva.
27) Now, to the Queens vying for the Crown;
28) I have been told that you have forged warm friendships with each other in the weeks leading up to this week.
29) Thank you for the courage to come forward to be challenged and to develop your confidence, your skills you’re your knowledge.
30) Thank you for ably representing your families, your communities, your Vanua and your culture and traditions, and your sponsors.
31) Suva has been blessed this week to witness a fine group of young women.
32) You have all proven yourselves worthy representatives and you’ve learnt many lessons.
33) I want to tell you that You are all successful and are ready for more challenges, and we wish you more successes as you happily live life.

34) You will be stronger for participating in this Festival, and with a platform to advocate the causes that are dear to your heart. Vinaka vakalevu!
35) I am sure with a longer preparation period for next year, the Hibiscus will be even bigger and better.
36) I know everyone is looking forward to tonight, for the crowning of the Queen of a festival that has been celebrated for almost seven (7) decades.
37) The Crowning Ceremony represents the culmination of weeks of learning and camaraderie.
38) Each contestant who stands before us has demonstrated exceptional confidence, poise and grace as well as an inspiring passion for their cultural heritage.
39) To all the contestants, I extend my warm congratulations.
40) You have done your families, your community and your Vanua proud!
41) You have acquitted yourselves with honor and dedication, making this a truly memorable event.
42) In your performances this week, you have embodied the spirit of the Hibiscus Festival – of unity, excellence, and pride in our cultural traditions.
43) As with all pageants, one of you will be crowned Queen.
44) In my view you are all Queens in accepting the challenge and taking up the opportunity to develop your confidence, poise and character.
45) Your exposure this week will have boosted your confidence and your knowledge.
46) More importantly, I trust that you enjoyed this week which I am certain will equip you to become confident and productive members of your community.
47) As we crown our winners this evening, let us celebrate with pride and joy.

48) Let us also embrace the opportunity to reflect on the beauty of our traditions, the strength of our communities, the country that embraces us all, and the boundless potential that lies ahead.
49) I warmly congratulate all our Queens.
50) Vinaka Vakalevu and a Blessed evening to you all. May God bless Fiji for Ever More!