After a week filled with engaging activities and a commitment to charitable endeavors, 20-year-old Vani Dianilawe Tobakarakarawa was named the new queen of the Vodafone Sugar Festival 2024.
Originating from Waciwaci, Lakeba in Lau, and with maternal ties to Yalobi, Waya in Yasawa, the law student from the University of Fiji was still coming to terms with her victory on Saturday night.
“Words are not enough to express how grateful I am,” she shared. “The journey has not been easy, but a lot of wonderful people have supported and guided me and my fellow contestants along the way to reach this stage.”
Vani, supported by Travel Consultant and Tours, utilized her platform to call on religious organizations to engage in combating illicit drug use. “Churches have stepped outside their traditional roles to welcome and support affected youths, providing a safe environment and necessary social assistance,” she noted.
The event’s chief guest, Farheen Saheb, Vodafone’s Chief Financial Officer, emphasized the festival’s commitment to charity. “Charity for the needy is not just a theme for this festival; it serves as a reminder of our collective duty to offer assistance to those who are less fortunate and to strive for a more inclusive society,” Ms. Saheb stated.