Siwatibau: A Beacon Of Leadership

I would like to join others who have publicly paid tribute to Mr Savenaca Siwatibau, Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP), who died in Christchurch last month. A son of Fiji that every Fiji citizen can be proud of, not only because of his remarkable achievements, academically and professionally, but also because of his character, his integrity and humility. He enjoyed Pacific-wide respect working for regional bodies including the regional office of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

It was my privilege to have known him and Mrs Suliana Siwatibau since the early 1970s. They have been very special persons and widely respected for their professional competence and their friendship to persons of all ethnicity. While concerned about the progress of indigenous Fijians, they have been committed to a multi-ethnic Fiji and to building bridges between communities to foster multiculturalism.

Siwa's background was a humble one. From a rural village school in Natewa, his education path took him to Queen Victoria School, University of Canterbury and the University of Sussex. He served the country with distinction in national planning, finance and as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji. He served in international financial institutions and ESCAP. He returned to Fiji from Port Vila on his appointment as USP's Vice Chancellor.

He was well known in Fiji and beyond as an outspoken advocate of good governance, particularly public accountability with respect to the use of public funds. He stood firmly against corruption and the abuse of public office. He was committed to fair play and was always inclusive. He had a good sense of humour and was able to lighten moments of tension in meetings and conversations by a pertinent light-hearted aside. He had that unique ability to make very strong criticism without causing offence. He was always generous with his time for others seeking his advise and assistance.

For many of us, Siwa was a beacon of leadership with integrity in Fiji and the region. We all could trust him to do the right thing‹ the fair thing. His untimely passing has left a big void in the lives of all of us who cherished his clear sightedness, his honesty, his eloquence, his friendship and his inclusiveness.

• Professor Vijay Naidu is Director of Development Studies at the Victoria University in Wellington.