Fiji Showcase 2026 is giving local businesses and cultural groups a chance to shine, with business owners growing their dreams and young performers keeping Pacific traditions alive.
For Salma Bibi Khan, owner of Salma's Garden Enterprise, a love for plants has blossomed into a successful business that has supported her and her family for the past 30 years.
The single mother says what started as a hobby has grown into a livelihood, allowing her to pay for rent, food and other daily expenses while raising her son.
She says business at this year's Fiji Showcase has been encouraging, with many customers looking for indoor and outdoor plants to brighten up their homes.
Having been part of Fiji Showcase for the past five years, Khan describes it as her biggest marketplace and is grateful for the opportunity to showcase her plants.
Despite the rising cost of living affecting customers' spending, she remains optimistic and continues to offer affordable prices.
Khan is also encouraging single parents and young people to believe in themselves, saying there are many ways to earn a living through small businesses such as gardening, baking, sewing or selling food.
Meanwhile, the excitement at Fiji Showcase was also evident on the Vodafone External Entertainment Stage yesterday, where Mauri Creative Arts and Entertainment captivated crowds with vibrant cultural performances from across the Pacific.
Group representative Jethro Seth Terani Fasala says the Nadi-based group started as a family initiative and has grown into a youth empowerment programme that provides opportunities for unemployed young people.
He says the group currently has around 20 members who perform traditional Fijian, Rotuman, Samoan, Tongan, Kiribati, Wallis and Futuna, Tahitian and Hawaiian dances while also incorporating contemporary styles.
Fasala says the enthusiastic support from the crowd motivates the performers and reinforces the importance of preserving Pacific culture.
He is encouraging young people to embrace their heritage, saying it is never too late to learn about their culture and that dance is one of the best ways to keep traditions alive.
Today is Sprint Thursday, and visitors can look forward to a full day of entertainment, with the gates of the Vodafone Arena opening at 10am.
At the Sprint Internal Entertainment Stage, Brazilian juggler Piva will perform from 3.30pm to 4pm and again from 6.30pm to 7pm.
The External Entertainment Stage will come alive with crowd interactions from VITI FM, Legend FM and FM96, while mascots will meet families and perform throughout the afternoon.
International acrobatic duo AussieBela will showcase their aerial performances at 1.30pm and again at 5.30pm, while local groups Malumu ni Tobu, Savu ni Delai Lomai and ManaVa Performing Arts will also entertain visitors with cultural performances.
The highlight will be the Navtarang and Radio Sargam Fiji Showcase Dhamaka Show, which will be held from 6pm.
Fiji Showcase 2026 will continue until this Saturday.
