Ratu Josaia, at the age of 24, was officially installed as the new Tui Sabeto in the Nadi district on December 27, 1975, marking 100 days since the passing of the previous Tui, Adi Josivini Naburenivanua. He takes on this title as the thirteenth Tui Sabeto, succeeding his grandmother, as reported in an article from The Fiji Times on January 3, 1976.
Ratu Josaia’s path to leadership was influenced by the untimely death of his father, Ratu Viliame Mataitoga, in 1962 when Ratu Josaia was just 11 years old. Due to his young age at the time, his grandmother, who outlived his father, assumed the role of Tui until Ratu Josaia could take over.
Born into a family of six siblings, Ratu Josaia is the second eldest. His elder sister was ineligible for the title as she married a man of non-chiefly descent. A special mataqali in Sabeto supported the decision to install Ratu Josaia as Tui.
The traditional ceremony welcoming Ratu Josaia was attended by chiefs from across the Western Division, involving activities both in a church setting and in the village. His education includes institutions such as Sabeto Primary School, Jasper Williams School, and Lami Fijian School.
Ratu Josaia is married and has a daughter. His in-laws, both educators, tragically passed away when the ship Uluilakeba sank. As part of the installation ceremonies, Ratu Josaia underwent a four-day vigil in the chief’s house, receiving food and water during this period. The vigil concluded on January 2, 1976, allowing him to emerge and engage with the community.
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