There has been controversy over John Samy in recent days whom many have come to know as being associated with the formulation of the People's Charter.
Some have even dubbed Mr Samy a foreigner because he left Fiji 20 years ago and now lives in Auckland.
But what many fail to realise is that this John Samy was born in September 1950 in Suva although he is from Lautoka. He grew up in the Colonial Sugar Refining Company low-lines in Misuani, Lautoka. His father, Vira Samy, worked for CSR as a locomotive driver while his mother, Latchmi, took care of the large family.
"My mother was the eldest in her family and she travelled to Suva to give birth after which she returned to Lautoka. She looked after our family and did a great job of bringing us all up on very meagre resources," he said.
"Together, my parents inculcated certain values which were impacting and which I greatly cherish until today.
"I am the eldest of eight children. When I was young, almost always during the off-season when the sugar mill shut down for almost half the year, my father would be without a job.
"He used to go around looking for casual, odd jobs such as loading bags of fertiliser on trucks in Navutu. I used to accompany him and help since the payments were on task basis. It was during such off seasons that the debts piled up and the daily upkeep of a large family became extremely difficult and burdensome.
"I learnt the real meaning of poverty the hard way from an early age. My father's income was not enough in normal' times and during the cane-crushing off-season, we struggled much more." Life back then was quite difficult for the Samy family but with persistence and hard work they managed to find a way to first survive and then do well.
Mr Samy said his mother used to cook and they would go out and sell roti parcels and peanuts.
He said when he was in primary school, he used to pack onions and potatoes in the Punja and Sons shop in Veitari, Lautoka.
Even in his high school days, Mr Samy did odd jobs, especially for the Reddy Construction company.
Mr Ranga Reddy took a liking for the young, energetic John Samy and offered him holiday jobs'. Apart from the little income they received, Mr Samy's family lived near the sea, which was an important source of food for the family.
"I used to dig for sea worms to use as bait and used to catch kaikai and matu using fly hooks. The skill of hooking a fish that nibbled the bait became an art. Another fond memory when I was a child is the great record of the Lautoka soccer team and the fact that some of Fiji's great soccer legends such as Babu Krishna, Naga Sanjivi, Kavaia Nabarusi and later Wame Vosuga Macha' and Cheetah' were all kai-Topline and kai-Misuani guys.
"When I was a child I wanted to become an engine driver like my father who unfortunately died in Auckland just over four years ago, at the age of 77. My mother lives in our family home in Pakuranga, Auckland. My parents are the most influential people in my life my father for his hospitality and generosity and my mother, for demonstrating the meaning of hard work, perseverance and never giving up. For me, there has never been a dull moment but sad, definitely." Mr Samy said some of his sad moments included losing someone he cared for like his father, going through a separation, betrayal of trust and confidence of friendships he had cared for.
10 things he likes
Favourite quote is The only time you retire is when you die' (his own quote)
Loves red wine
His Favourite food is curry mud crab and fish head
Enjoys cooking
Listens to too many songs, including world music and jazz
Most dreadful experience being imprisoned, humiliated and treated like a common criminal after years in the public service following the September 1987 coup
His local role model is the late Savenaca Siwatibau and his international role models is Nelson Mandela
Loves to read
His favourite sports are rugby, soccer and jogging (since he was 12 years old)
A former athletics champion in 1500 metres and 800 metres in the West.
