The tragic passing of 39-year-old Fijian Sikeli Nawaqa in Perth, Australia, on Sunday has brought immense sorrow to his wife and four children in Fiji. Nawaqa was reported in the Australian media to have been driving a vehicle that lost control and struck a tree, leading to his untimely death.
Hailing from Nayawa, Nadroga, with maternal ties to Naceva, Beqa, Nawaqa was traveling with three other Fijian men who were injured in the accident and were airlifted to Perth Hospital around 7 PM on Sunday.
His devastated wife, Sulueti Naula, 37, expressed her grief, focusing on the responsibility of raising their four children alone. “A pastor they lived with in Perth went to the hospital that morning for updates,” she recounted. “After about two hours, I received a call from his boss. Just seeing the call made me realize it was about my husband. I couldn’t answer; I just sat in my bedroom, sobbing.”
Reflecting on their last conversation, she said, “We spoke on Saturday and were making plans for our 18-year-old son to study abroad.” Nawaqa had applied for overseas work through the National Employment Centre (NEC) under the Ministry of Employment two years ago and had been frequently traveling for work. He was employed as a supervisor at the Agri Fresh Citrus Farm at the time of his death.
Naula described her husband as a diligent worker and devoted family man. Nawaqa’s father, Inoke Nawaqa, confirmed that the family is now making arrangements for the funeral.