The 2024 Vodafone and Gavya Nasinu Festival has made a triumphant return after a five-year gap, bringing together the lively Nasinu community for an event that goes beyond traditional celebration. This year’s festival emphasizes its commitment to social advancement and community cohesion.
Nasinu, the largest municipality in Fiji, covers an area of 78.4 square kilometers, which is twice the size of Suva, and has a population of over 120,000 residents, as reported by Nasinu.org.fj. The town council, which manages seven wards, is grappling with various challenges. The festival has emerged as a key platform to address critical issues such as drug-related problems, unemployment, childcare, and care for the elderly.
In an interview with The Fiji Times, Felix Magnus, Special Administrator of the Nasinu Town Council, shared insights on the broader objectives of the festival. He explained that a recent assessment of informal settlements revealed that many elderly residents are often left alone during the day. Consequently, plans are in motion to establish Nasinu’s first retirement home.
“We have identified a suitable piece of land and are collaborating with the Ministry of Lands to secure the needed approvals before engaging with stakeholders. This festival is focused on the elderly, and we are thankful for the opportunity to create a safe space for them in Nasinu,” said Mr. Magnus.
He also noted the increase in unsupervised children and announced plans for a high-quality childcare center aimed at supporting single mothers by creating a secure environment for their kids.
“We are in discussions with a significant partner who has made a strong commitment to this initiative. Our goal is to alleviate the pressures on single mothers by ensuring their children receive appropriate care during work hours,” he explained.
Regarding the issue of drug use, Mr. Magnus indicated that the council is considering the establishment of early intervention hubs to provide support and training for the youth of Nasinu, aiming to prevent drug-related issues from worsening. He emphasized the importance of the festival in advancing these initiatives.
“These early intervention hubs will offer essential support to those in need. We are collaborating with educational institutions, service providers, and Polytech to deliver training for our youth. Furthermore, we are working with major developers in Nasinu to create job opportunities,” he added.
As the festival continues to draw thousands of Fijians each night, the community enjoys an array of delicious food, entertainment, and rides. The event also serves as a vibrant marketplace for local vendors to display their goods, who have eagerly embraced this opportunity to boost the local economy.
Interviews conducted by The Fiji Times highlighted the festival’s energetic atmosphere. Adi Vasemaca Maria, representing the HART communities in the Suva-Nausori corridor, stated that the festival is vital for their economic survival. “Participating in festivals and similar events is a crucial way for us to generate income. We’ve been doing this as a group for the past six years,” she remarked.
With confidence, she added, “We have a variety of items for sale, and I believe we will sell everything by the end of this week’s festival.” Similarly, 72-year-old vendor Sumasafu Faktaufon expressed that the festival is a critical means of earning a livelihood, suggesting that introducing more affordable food options could attract more visitors.
“We just arrived this morning and aim to sell all our crafts by the festival’s conclusion. Sales tend to be slow during the day, but I expect they will increase in the evening. There should be meals priced at five dollars, as most meals here cost $10 or more, which some attendees may find unaffordable,” she added.
As the 2024 Nasinu Festival wraps up today, it not only celebrates the town’s rich culture and community spirit but also serves as a pivotal platform for tackling significant social challenges faced by the growing population of Nasinu. The festival’s revival symbolizes the community’s resilience and unity.