Navitalai Mualevu, a 30-year-old leader from Mokani Village in Tailevu, has been appointed turaga ni koro by the village meeting (bosevakoro) and will serve a three‑year term focused on community upkeep and youth engagement.
Mualevu — who grew up in Mokani and attended Ratu Rovama Vunivalu Memorial Primary School and Vunimono High School in Nausori — later trained in carpentry and joinery at Sila Central School, completing his course in 2015. The second youngest of eight children, he is the only brother who has remained in the village.
Acknowledging the weight of traditional responsibilities, Mualevu said the role requires adherence to village laws passed down by elders and balancing customary expectations with practical needs. He stressed that when paid work is not available, families must rely on planting and other village practices that sustain rural life.
During his tenure he is prioritising improvements to village infrastructure and the environment. Last year the village hall was renovated; current projects include building footpaths linking all houses and working with young people on beautification and health-and-safety initiatives. Mualevu has also partnered with police and the Health Ministry to deliver drug‑awareness sessions to youth, saying Mokani remains free of drug problems and the community is determined to keep it that way. He added his broader vision is for families to live free from domestic violence and conflict.
Mualevu acknowledged he is younger than the community typically prefers for the turaga ni koro role — he urged other young leaders to seek elders’ guidance, remain committed, and set good examples for the next generation.
Context and wider trend
Mualevu’s appointment and priorities reflect a broader movement among rural communities to combine respect for traditional governance with practical local development and social protection. Elsewhere, village leaders have introduced community bylaws, youth engagement programmes and safety measures aimed at tackling drug use, strengthening family ties and improving village wellbeing. Young leaders can inject new energy into these efforts while relying on elder guidance to maintain legitimacy and continuity.
Suggested additions for publication
– Include a recent photo of Mualevu and the renovated village hall, and images of the planned footpaths or youth cleanup activities.
– Add brief quotes from a bosevakoro member, a youth participant, or the police/Health Ministry representative involved in the awareness sessions to give the story more voices.
– Provide specifics on timelines and funding for the footpath project and any planned follow‑up workshops on drug awareness and domestic violence prevention.
– Consider a short sidebar on the turaga ni koro role to help readers unfamiliar with the title understand its responsibilities.
Short summary
Navitalai Mualevu, 30, has been appointed turaga ni koro of Mokani Village, Tailevu, for three years. Trained in carpentry, he is leading infrastructure upgrades (including village hall renovation and connecting footpaths), youth‑led beautification projects, and drug‑awareness partnering with police and the Health Ministry. Despite feeling young for the role, he encourages youth leadership supported by elder guidance.
Hopeful note
Mualevu’s blend of practical skills, commitment to tradition, and focus on youth engagement offers a promising model: younger leaders working alongside elders can accelerate modest infrastructure improvements and preventative social programmes, helping villages remain resilient while passing cultural values to the next generation.
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