Siteri Qalibau, a 21-year-old content creator and aspiring journalist, is eager to make her mark by showcasing her culture and vibrant traditions at the 2024 Miss Hibiscus Festival in Suva. Originally from Draiba, Navosa, Siteri feels a deep connection to her roots.
As a contestant representing Sigatoka River Safari, she combines her cultural heritage, talent, and strong community spirit. Currently, Siteri has completed her first year at The University of the South Pacific, where she is majoring in journalism and social work.
In her role as a social media content creator, she effectively promotes her sponsors by highlighting the unique experiences offered by Sigatoka River Safari. This position allows her to merge her academic pursuits with hands-on experience, which she plans to build upon in her future studies in Digital Marketing and Language Acquisition.
“I love connecting with people and sharing the beauty of our culture. Being able to visit local villages with our tourism guests is a form of charity work. It supports and enhances the livelihoods of the local communities,” she shared.
Fluent in her provincial dialect, Siteri treasures her heritage and aspires to share it with a wider audience in her future endeavors. Competing for the title of Miss Hibiscus 2024, she aims not only for the crown but also to represent her culture, community, and the exceptional experiences provided by her sponsors.
Sigatoka River Safari, recognized as Fiji’s original and the world’s first jet-boat and village safari, offers visitors an unmatched adventure. Guests embark on a half-day tour on specially designed safari jet boats, journeying along the stunning Sigatoka River to explore authentic Fijian villages.
The safari provides not only an adventure but also an insight into the daily lives of genuine indigenous Fijians. Guests learn about Fiji’s rich culture through the stories, customs, and legends narrated by their guides, focusing predominantly on the Nadroga and Navosa provinces.
The upcoming 68th anniversary of the Hibiscus Festival, backed by FMF and Vodafone, promises to be a lively celebration of Fijian culture, scheduled from August 31st to September 7th at the Suva Civic Foreshore and Suva Civic Centre.