Siteri Qalibau, a 21-year-old content creator and aspiring journalist, is eager to leave her mark by showcasing the spirit and vibrant traditions of her people at the 2204 Miss Hibiscus Festival in Suva. Hailing from Draiba, Navosa, she has a strong connection to her roots and is proudly representing Sigatoka River Safari in the competition, blending culture, talent, and community spirit.
Currently in her first year at The University of the South Pacific, Siteri is majoring in journalism and social work. As a social media content creator, she adeptly manages the online presence of her sponsors and promotes the unique experiences offered by Sigatoka River Safari. This role enables her to combine her academic studies with hands-on experience, and she aims to further explore this synergy through advanced studies in Digital Marketing and Language Acquisition.
“I love connecting with people and sharing the beauty of our culture. Visiting local villages with our tourism guests serves as a form of charity work, supporting and enhancing the livelihoods of local communities,” she expressed.
Fluent in her provincial dialect, Siteri values her heritage and aspires to share it with a wider audience through her future endeavors. Competing for the title of Miss Hibiscus 2024, she aims to represent not only herself but also her culture and community, along with the unique experiences provided by her sponsors.
Sigatoka River Safari, recognized as Fiji’s original and the world’s first jet-boat and village safari, offers guests an exceptional adventure. Visitors embark on a half-day journey on custom-built safari jet boats, navigating the scenic Sigatoka River while visiting authentic Fijian villages. This adventure provides a glimpse into the lives of indigenous Fijians, where guests learn about Fiji’s rich culture through the stories and legends shared by their guides, especially from the Nadroga and Navosa provinces.
The 68th anniversary of the Hibiscus Festival, supported by FMF and Vodafone, is set to be a colorful celebration of Fijian culture, taking place from August 31st to September 7th at the Suva Civic Foreshore and Suva Civic Centre.