Kamisese Mara
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBEis considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992. He subsequently served as president from 1993 to 2000...
NationalityFijian
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth6 May 1920
CountryFiji
fire house watches
How could I stand by and watch my house on fire?
heart aggravation deterioration
I suspect the psychological pressure associated with that crisis caused the first mental blackout I had ever suffered. It contributed to a deterioration in my health that later required the insertion of a heart pacemaker.
confidence jobs loss
Even institutions of State, such as the judiciary, were seriously weakened, to the extent that the citizenry justifiably feared a breakdown in law and order. The business community was hit by a slump in sales and confidence, leading to reduced earnings and loss of jobs.
constitution ifs
If the constitution goes, I go.
trust back-again ifs
Whom am I going to trust if I have to back again.
religious jesus teaching
It is from the traditional family that we absorb those universal ideals and principles which are the teaching of Jesus, the bedrock of our religious faith. We are taught the difference between right and wrong, and about the law, just punishment and discipline.
military two fiji
Fiji had experienced the ordeal of two military coups.
fields plantations has-beens
I have been sustained by cane field, the cane plantation I have.
prime ministers prime-minister
I have never been bribed as a Prime Minister.
firsts officers has-beens
The first money I have been offered was as District Officer Ba.
thinking bloodshed said
I said, yes, if you think I will avoid bloodshed by standing aside I will stand aside … but I will never ever again come back.
children clubs burden
I received my money from the treasury, I used to very early to go the clubs, but when the burden of looking after my children came upon me I tried to live a quite life, and save as much as I could.
fun hard-work parenting
The family teaches us about the importance of knowledge, education, hard work and effort. It teaches us about enjoying ourselves, having fun, keeping fit and healthy.
order tolerance understanding
In a multi-racial society, trust, understanding and tolerance are the cornerstones of peace and order.