Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, addressed the Fiji Sports Awards held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Saturday night, urging cabinet ministers to avoid wearing kalavata. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging and being sensitive to those in society who are less fortunate, especially given the increasing challenges in today’s world.
Rabuka expressed his apologies to the event organizers for not wearing the kalavata, explaining that he had advised ministers against it since many people cannot afford to frequently change their attire throughout the year. He noted that the shirt he wore for the evening was the sixth kalavata he had received, highlighting that at every Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga, there is a special shirt assigned.
He underscored the need for awareness of the hardships faced by some individuals in the community, stating, “We have to be mindful of the difficulties posed around us in their daily life.”