The tragic death of 39-year-old Fijian Sikeli Nawaqa in Perth, Australia, on Sunday has plunged his family in Fiji into deep grief. Nawaqa was reportedly driving a vehicle that lost control and crashed into a tree, leading to his untimely passing.
Originally from Nayawa in Nadroga and with family connections to Naceva, Beqa, Nawaqa was traveling with three other Fijian men who were injured in the incident. They were airlifted to Perth Hospital around 7 PM on Sunday.
His devastated wife, Sulueti Naula, 37, expressed her sorrow as she now faces the daunting task of raising their four children alone. She recounted how a pastor, who was staying with them in Perth, visited the hospital for updates that morning. “After approximately two hours, I received a call from his boss. Just seeing the call from him, I instantly knew that it was about my husband. I couldn’t pick up the phone; I just sat in my bedroom, sobbing and crying,” Naula said.
The couple had spoken on Saturday and were discussing plans for their 18-year-old son’s study abroad. Nawaqa had applied for work overseas through the National Employment Centre two years ago, regularly traveling between Fiji and Australia as he advanced in his career. At the time of his death, he was employed as a supervisor at Agri Fresh Citrus Farm.
Inoke Nawaqa, Sikeli’s father, stated that the family is currently making funeral arrangements.