The tragic death of 39-year-old Fijian Sikeli Nawaqa in Perth, Australia, on Sunday has plunged his wife and four children into grief. Nawaqa was reported to have been driving when his vehicle left the road and collided with a tree, leading to his untimely passing.
Originating from Nayawa in Nadroga and with maternal ties to Naceva, Beqa, Nawaqa was traveling with three other Fijian men who were injured in the accident and subsequently airlifted to a Perth hospital around 7 PM on Sunday.
Sulueti Naula, Nawaqa’s devastated wife, expressed her sorrow, focusing on the challenges of raising their four children alone. She recounted that a pastor they knew in Perth visited the hospital for updates and that she received a call from her husband’s employer about two hours later, which she dreaded. “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,” she said.
Only the day before, Nawaqa and Naula had discussed plans for their 18-year-old son to study abroad. Nawaqa had been working overseas since applying through the National Employment Centre (NEC) under the Ministry of Employment two years prior. He held a supervisor position at Agri Fresh Citrus Farm at the time of his death.
Described as a hardworking family man, Nawaqa’s passing has left a significant void. His father, Inoke Nawaqa, stated that the family is currently making arrangements for the funeral.