Siteri Qalibau, a 21-year-old content creator and aspiring journalist, is determined to showcase the spirit and traditions of her community as she competes in the 2024 Miss Hibiscus Festival in Suva. Hailing from Draiba in Navosa, Siteri embodies a strong connection to her roots.
As a contestant, she is representing Sigatoka River Safari and brings a rich blend of culture, talent, and community values. Siteri has recently completed her first year at The University of the South Pacific, focusing on journalism and social work. She effectively manages the online presence of her sponsors as a social media content creator, promoting the unique experiences that Sigatoka River Safari provides.
This role allows her to merge her academic interests with real-world applications, a combination she plans to build upon through further 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 stated.
Fluent in her native dialect, Siteri values her cultural heritage and aims to share it with a wider audience through her future endeavors. As she competes for the title of Miss Hibiscus 2024, she aims to do more than win a crown; she seeks to represent her culture, community, and the distinctive experiences offered by her sponsors.
Sigatoka River Safari is recognized as Fiji’s original and the world’s first jet-boat and village safari, providing guests with a unique adventure. Visitors can embark on a half-day expedition in custom-built safari jet boats along the scenic Sigatoka River, visiting genuine Fijian villages.
This safari not only guarantees an exciting adventure but also offers insight into the lives of indigenous Fijians. Guests are introduced to Fiji’s rich culture through captivating stories, customs, and legends shared by their guides, particularly focusing on the Nadroga and Navosa provinces.
The upcoming 68th Anniversary of the Hibiscus Festival, sponsored by FMF and Vodafone, promises to be a vibrant celebration of Fijian culture, taking place from August 31st to September 7th at the Suva Civic Foreshore and Suva Civic Centre.