Samoan 7s victory
The Samoan team’s victory in the HSBC Cape Town 7s Cup final against the much-favoured flamboyant NZ brings great excitement, freshness and challenges to this series. Admittedly, Fiji faltered in both Dubai and Cape Town. Admittedly, Fiji needs to go back to the proverbial drawing board. Our consistency is lacking. We could do better with more speed all round. Guts and explosiveness need some attention. Respectfully, our seasoned campaigners are slow off the mark. We thank you for all your efforts. We must counter the best that comes our way. Fiji needs more like Talacolo, Rasaku and Lautoka steelman, Satala. USA showed us what we are capable of. Fiji can do much better. I hope Fiji makes huge amends come January 21-22, 2023 when we take on the might of Cape Town champs Samoa, France and Kenya in Hamilton, New Zealand. Impossible is nothing, we are told. Tovole leqwa na lemamutou saravou ena waqe rakavi vitu. E rewa. Tovole va kaikai. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Democratic right to vote!
As a citizen of my beloved Fiji, I exercised my democratic right to vote in Nadawa, yesterday. The service provided at the voting booth was great. After getting my voter registration identification card checked, I signed to certify that I picked the ballot paper, and was ready to vote. It took me seconds to circle the number of my choice. The purple ink on my pointer finger indicated that I had exercised my democratic right to vote. The process was simple as I went after lunch and there was no crowd since most Fijians in Nadawa had voted in the morning. It was a delight seeing people going with their loved ones to vote. Everyone would be waiting for the outcome, and whatever the outcome, it is important to respect the democratic process and the result of the 2022 General Election. God bless Fiji! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Thank you
Allow me this special opportunity to say our sincere thanks to all the polling officials and police officers on duty at the Namaka Public School polling station. Your professionalism was simply “too good”. Thank you for all your good work on Fiji General Election Day, December 14, 2022. We are truly very impressed. We salute you all. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Carreras issue
Some accidents (including two deaths lately) have eventuated along this extremely dangerous stretch of Carreras Rd (Votualevu) especially at the junction of Carreras and Kartaram roads and further down towards British American Tobacco (BAT) leaf growing area. Accidents do happen and are never-ending and so are many drivers who boldly take risks. It appears that the authorities are simply not doing enough or do not bother at all. To protect pedestrians, drivers and property, obviously speed retarders and relevant sign can do the job. About three road humps ideally constructed would somewhat solve the problems. Suggested placing of humps: (1) near the mango tree after passing Malawai Rd, (2) opposite Arjun’s Garden and (3) roughly 20m before reaching the 90° bend at Event Centre. Hope these plans improve signage for motorists and minimise accidents. Muni Singh Nadi
Patriarchal system
You may notice that the age group of rape survivors seems to be lower while perpetrators’ age tends to be higher. This should sound the alarm to the people of Fiji that something is not right and not something that we push aside and not discuss openly. What kind of society are we trying to portray to our children, grandchildren and generations to come? Why is this happening in Fiji? Why are these older men committing these inhumane acts on young girls? Let me open up this ongoing discussion that it all goes back to our patriarchal system. I believe it’s about gender, it’s about inequality, and this is why we have crimes against women and children. Some food for thought to open up our discussion. Can we further discuss this important issue at our various spaces, so we can be able to find a solution because it’s an eyesore reading it on the newspaper or watching it on TV. I now plead again with our incoming government to organise open dialogue to further discuss this post-elections. Any outcome document derived from this forum should be translated in all languages including giveaway leaflets and constant advertisement on all media outlets just like the COVID-19 awareness. Our mainstream church leaders should do more awareness and livestream preaching on gender-based violence related topics such as Say No 2 Rape. Our traditional leaders have to play a role as well. Elimination of violence against women and girls is everyone’s business. #16daysofActivism JIOJI MASIVESI CAKACAKA, Tadra-Votualevu, Nadi
Changing times
At this time of writing it is coming up 7.08am Wednesday, December 14, 2022 — a day to remember — Fiji General Elections Day. I have just concluded my morning walk: n 4732 steps; 4.72 kms in 58 minutes. n A good sweat out. Time to put my feet up now and enjoy the FIFA World Cup semi-final match between Croatia and Argentina, then off to cast my vote later in the morning. As I turn back the good old pages of time, I cannot help, in awesome wonder, what 50 long years make. In our younger days, on pay day, we enjoyed a decent night’s outing and disappeared home before sunrise. During the course of my walk commencing at 5.40am, I came across much speeding traffic on the Martintar “speedway” along the Queens Road. Several motorists must have been under the influence, without any doubt. Only three police officers in sight as they attended to a sizeable group of very intoxicated iTaukei mostly men, and a few women, at RB Patel Super JetPoint. I also observed with much pity and sadness no less than five males who were sprawled out on footpaths, totally drunk and incoherent. This is always a sad and pitiful sight. It was too real (not a movie). Hard-earned money for daily bread at home ends up on bars. It is matter of choices. It is, what it is. Times have certainly changed. Many will not use their democratic right to vote. What a waste of golden opportunity to have your rightful say. I share these lines out of much concern for many who chose to live life in a less productive way … and hope others get to learn, otherwise. I hope you had a happy Fiji General Elections Day everyone. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Election Day
Election Day finally arrived with long lines in some schools and many people eager to vote. Now the people have to wait for the counting. Let’s pray for the results that everyone has been waiting for. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Plastic in fish
The Fiji Times article ‘Micro plastics found in fish — Study’ in the Pacific region (FT 14/12) should come as no surprise when research has revealed “Plastic pollution is now pervasive in the Arctic, even in areas with no apparent human activity, such as the deep sea floor” (for details see ‘Plastic pollution in the Arctic’ in Nature Reviews earth&environment, 5/4/22). In the Pacific Ocean we have islands of plastic trash floating for years (re: Great Pacific Garbage Patch). So micro-plastics in fish and other marine life is tragically to be expected. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Messi magic
Lionel Messi led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup final after beating Croatia 3-0. Messi gave himself one last shot at WC glory as he and Julian Alvarez scored for Argentina at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Throughout the match, Messi worked his magic to winning the trophy he covets most. He scored the opener from the penalty spot, then Julian Alvarez scored a superb second and Messi mesmerised all to set up Alvarez to seal his double and Argentina’s spot in the final. Croatia actually had the better chances before Argentina took the lead in the first half and the South American champs never looked back as they reached two of their last three WC finals. For me, Messi, Alvarez and Croatia’s Luka Modric stood out. Messi had magic whenever Argentina needed it, while Alvarez’s pace gave Croatia so many problems. Modric, who was Croatia’s little genius, was so silky on the ball, as always, and helped Croatia control the game until the opening goal. The veteran may not play at another WC, but he delivered another superb display. Congratulations Argentina, and all the best to France and Morocco supporters! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Soccer World Cup
I just want to thank Fox 10 Channel, Arizona from the bottom of my heart for covering live the World Cup soccer in Qatar, Middle East. Fantastic Fox 10. Thank you. Taitusi Sokiveta Phoenix, Arizona
