Siteri Qalibau, a 21-year-old content creator and aspiring journalist, is poised to make her mark through her participation in the 2024 Miss Hibiscus Festival in Suva. Hailing from Draiba, Navosa, Siteri has a strong connection to her heritage and aims to showcase the spirit and vibrant traditions of her people as she competes.
Representing Sigatoka River Safari, Siteri combines her cultural background, talent, and community spirit in her journey. She has recently completed her first year at The University of the South Pacific, where she is majoring in journalism and social work. As a social media content creator, she effectively manages her sponsors’ online presence, highlighting the unique experiences offered by Sigatoka River Safari.
Siteri is eager to integrate her academic pursuits with practical experience, hoping to delve deeper into Digital Marketing and Language Acquisition in her future studies. “I love connecting with people and sharing the beauty of our culture. Being able to visit local villages with our tourism guests is a form of charity work. It supports and enhances the livelihoods of the local communities,” she expressed.
Fluent in her province’s dialect, Siteri treasures her roots, aspiring to share them broadly in her upcoming endeavors. In her quest for the Miss Hibiscus 2024 title, she aims not only for personal recognition but also to represent her culture and community alongside the unique offerings of her sponsors.
Sigatoka River Safari is renowned as Fiji’s original and the world’s first jet-boat and village safari experience, allowing guests to embark on a half-day adventure along the scenic Sigatoka River to visit authentic Fijian villages. This safari not only promises excitement but also provides insights into the lives of indigenous Fijians, enriching visitors with the culture, stories, and customs of the Nadroga and Navosa provinces.
The 68th anniversary of the Hibiscus Festival, which is backed by FMF and Vodafone, is set to be a lively celebration of Fijian culture, scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 7 at the Suva Civic Foreshore and Suva Civic Centre.