Siteri Qalibau, a 21-year-old content creator and budding journalist, is set to make her mark at the 2024 Miss Hibiscus Festival in Suva, showcasing the spirit and vibrant traditions of her people. Hailing from Draiba, Navosa, Siteri feels a strong connection to her roots as she competes while representing Sigatoka River Safari.
Currently a student at The University of the South Pacific, Siteri has completed her first year, focusing on journalism and social work. She actively promotes the unique experiences offered by Sigatoka River Safari through her role as a social media content creator, managing the online presence of her sponsors.
Siteri aims to combine her academic pursuits with practical experience and is keen on exploring advanced studies in Digital Marketing and Language Acquisition. She shares her passion for connecting with people and highlights the importance of charity work by visiting local villages with tourism guests to support and uplift the livelihoods of local communities.
Fluent in her provincial dialect, Siteri treasures her cultural heritage and seeks to present it to a wider audience. As she competes for the Miss Hibiscus title, her goal extends beyond winning a crown; she is determined to represent her culture and community, as well as the unique offerings of her sponsors.
Sigatoka River Safari, recognized as Fiji’s original and the world’s first jet-boat and village safari, provides guests with an extraordinary experience. Visitors embark on a half-day journey on custom-built safari jet boats, navigating the scenic Sigatoka River to explore authentic Fijian villages. The safari enriches guests’ understanding of indigenous Fijian life, featuring stories, customs, and legends, particularly from the Nadroga and Navosa regions.
The 68th Hibiscus Festival, sponsored by FMF and Vodafone, is set to be a vibrant celebration of Fijian culture, scheduled for August 31 to September 7 at the Suva Civic Foreshore and Suva Civic Centre.