Fiji PM: Man of keynote speech, many hats and iconic skirts

Fijian PM Frank Bainimarama (in skirt) with Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui in a recent function where they inspected projects. [Photo: Standard]

Mr Frank Bainimarama is a man of many hats, seasons and capabilities. He is the Prime Minister of Fiji, a tiny country on Southern Pacific. A country that one can barely locate with a nail on the map but has dominated the headlines in rugby. Fijians with rugby are like Kenyans with athletics-little is known about their politics.

At the helm of Fijian politics is Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, better known as Frank Bainimarama. A soft-spoken orator who sends his listeners to nodding mood whenever he holds a piece of paper to read his speech.

Mr Bainimarama speaks about his country with elated spirit and his diction says it all. While addressing dignitaries at Participatory Slum Upgrading Program launch, which was hosted by Cabinet Secretary for Transport James Macharia, Fijian leader gave an explanation how other countries can learn from his country on how to treat slum dwellers.

“Outside the small nations, there are universal lessons to begin with how we deal with the issue in Fiji that all nations of any size can learn from…we use the term ‘informal settlements’ quite intentionally as we find words like slum to be both politically charged and dehumanizing,” he said.

He further said: “We are using rights-based approach, one that does not rely on confrontation or forceful uprooting of communities. We recognize that we share common goals as those of formal settlements.”

He delivered another address on Monday, May 27, 2019 at the UN Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, covering obligations of member states in achieving economic growth and infrastructural development.

The Fijian PM’s love for his country perhaps spills beyond the confines of words. He was spotted dressed in a grey coat and a skirt, something that has left tongues wagging, but to him, such is a show of cultural appreciation.

Known as Sulu in Fijian language, the skirts are worn by both men and women. In Fijian culture, one can meet a couple dressed in skirts and tops, and this seems to be highly prized cultural value.

According to Britannica.com, the Fijian Premier was born in April 27, 1954, in Kiuva, Fiji. He rose to the summit of country’s leadership after leading a successful coup in 2006 which earned the position of an acting president in 2006 to 2007.

He later on changed the hat by serving as the country’s acting Prime Minister in 2007 to 2014, when he was sworn in officially in September after the first election since the coup.

In November 2018, Bainimarama won the election narrowly after his Fiji First party got 50 per cent of votes, followed by Social Democratic Liberal Party, which got 40 per cent, Reuters reports.

His election last year was tainted with negative claims. The Conversation for instance reported that the former military man suppressed media freedom and relied so much on the influence of his Methodist Church to get voted in.

Nonetheless, Multinational Observer Group is reported to have passed a friendly verdict terming the poll as a ‘step’ towards democracy.