Siteri Qalibau, a 21-year-old content creator and aspiring journalist, is eager to make her mark and celebrate the traditions of her people at the 2024 Miss Hibiscus Festival in Suva. Hailing from Draiba, Navosa, Siteri has a profound connection to her heritage. As a contestant representing Sigatoka River Safari, she combines cultural pride, talent, and a strong community spirit.
She recently completed her first year at The University of the South Pacific, where she is studying journalism and social work. In her role as a social media content creator, Siteri effectively manages the online profiles of her sponsors, promoting the distinctive experiences offered by Sigatoka River Safari. This position allows her to merge her academic pursuits with hands-on experience, a combination she intends to further explore 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 feels like charity work. It supports and enriches the livelihoods of the local communities,” she expressed.
Fluent in her province’s dialect, Siteri values her roots and aims to share them with a wider audience through her future endeavors. While competing for the Miss Hibiscus 2024 title, she is passionate about representing her culture, community, and 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 an unmatched adventure. Guests can embark on a half-day excursion on custom-built safari jet boats, navigating the scenic Sigatoka River to explore authentic Fijian villages. This safari not only offers excitement but also gives insight into the lives of indigenous Fijians.
Festival attendees will be immersed in the rich culture of Fiji through engaging stories, customs, and legends shared by knowledgeable guides, particularly focusing on the Nadroga and Navosa provinces. The 68th edition of the Hibiscus Festival, backed by FMF and Vodafone, is set to be a vibrant celebration of Fijian culture from August 31st to September 7th at the Suva Civic Foreshore and Suva Civic Centre.