The 2024 Vodafone and Gavya Nasinu Festival has made a strong comeback after a five-year break, bringing together the vibrant Nasinu community in a celebration that extends beyond entertainment. This year’s festival emphasizes its commitment to social advancement and unity within the community.
Nasinu, the largest municipality in Fiji, covers 78.4 square kilometers and is home to over 120,000 residents. The town council oversees seven wards, each confronting various challenges. The festival has emerged as an essential forum to tackle critical issues like drug abuse, unemployment, childcare, and care for the elderly.
In a conversation with The Fiji Times, Felix Magnus, chair of the Nasinu Town Council Special Administrator, detailed the festival’s significant purpose. A recent profiling of informal settlements revealed that many elderly residents are left alone during the daytime. Magnus indicated plans to establish Nasinu’s first retirement home.
“We have identified a piece of land and are collaborating with the Ministry of Lands to secure the necessary approvals before reaching out to stakeholders. This festival aims to support the elderly, and we are grateful for the chance to create a safe environment for them in Nasinu,” he stated.
He acknowledged the increasing number of unsupervised children and announced plans for a modern childcare center designed to assist single mothers by offering a safe place for their children.
“We are in talks with a key partner who has shown significant interest in this initiative. The construction of this facility aims to ease the burden on single mothers, ensuring their children receive care during work hours.”
Addressing drug-related challenges, Magnus proposed establishing early intervention hubs to offer support and training for the youth of Nasinu to prevent drug issues from worsening. He underscored the critical role the Nasinu Festival plays in these initiatives.
“These hubs will provide essential help to those in need. We are communicating with educational institutions and service providers to facilitate training programs for our youth. Additionally, we are collaborating with major developers in Nasinu to create job opportunities.”
As the festival attracts thousands of Fijians each night with its focus on important social concerns, attendees enjoy a range of delicious food, entertainment, and rides.
The event also offers local vendors a lively platform to present their goods. Vendors from across the municipality are seizing this opportunity, contributing to the festival’s energetic environment and boosting the local economy.
The Fiji Times spoke to vendors on Wednesday to capture the festive spirit. For Adi Vasemaca Maria and her team from the HART communities in the Suva-Nausori corridor, the festival is crucial for their economic survival. “Participating in festivals and similar events is how we earn our living. Our group has been involved for the past six years.”
“We have a variety of products available, and I am confident we will sell everything during this week’s events,” she added. Similarly, 72-year-old vendor Sumasafu Faktaufon sees the festival as a vital opportunity for income, suggesting that lower-priced food options could attract more attendees.
“We arrived this morning, hoping to sell all our handicrafts by the end of the festival. Sales during the day can be slow, but I’m optimistic they will pick up at night. There should be meals priced at five dollars. Most options are $10 and above, which many can’t afford,” she remarked.
As the 2024 Nasinu Festival wraps up today, it not only celebrates the town’s lively culture and community spirit but also acts as a pivotal platform for addressing pressing social issues faced by Nasinu’s expanding population.
The festival’s return marks a testament to the community’s resilience and solidarity.