The late Ro Dona Takalaiyale has been described as a man of the vanua who served his traditional role as sauturaga or chief maker with zeal and pride.
Known for his role as the traditional spokesman or matanivanua of the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa, Ro Dona is a familiar face to many seeking an audience with the Rewa paramount chief.
In a statement, Ro Teimumu paid homage to the Taukei Navolau, Ro Dona’s close blood links to her chiefly household and his traditional role as sauturaga.
“My elder sister, the Marama Levu passed away in 2004 of which I had no choice but to take up the mantle as passed down by my forefathers until today and here, I began to work closely with Ro Dona on the various projects and traditional activities which began around late 2007,” she said.
“Dona has always placed a lot of emphasis on the role of the sauturaga to the turaga and he ensured that he carried out his role to the best of his abilities, to the vanua, the church, education and development of Rewa and the matanitu.”
Describing the life of their grandfather, Frances Balemaiwai and Allison Takalaiyali said he was a family man who was a father figure to all of them evidenced in how they addressed him as Ta (father).
Ms Balemaiwai described her late grandfather as a man with great personality.
Ro Dona’s funeral service was held yesterday at Rewa Lomanikoro attended by Bau chief Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and Ro Teimumu Kepa among notable figures with close family members and friends.
He was Social Democratic Liberal Party’s former vice-president but earlier he had worked as a former prison officer and worked extensively in the tourism industry.
He is survived by his wife, six children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
