As Fiji marks Ratu Sukuna Day, academics and community leaders say the vision and leadership of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna continue to shape Fiji’s land governance, education and national development today.
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who was born in 1888 in the chiefly village of Bau, is widely regarded as one of Fiji’s greatest statesmen.
A member of the influential Tui Kaba clan, he carried the values and traditions of the vanua throughout his life and leadership.
Ratu Sukuna began his education at Wairuku Primary School in Rakiraki before studying in New Zealand and later at Oxford University in England, where he became the first iTaukei to earn a university degree.
His time at Oxford exposed him to international leadership and governance systems that later helped shape his vision for Fiji’s development.
One of his most significant achievements was establishing the Native Land Trust Board in 1940, now known as the iTaukei Land Trust Board, to protect and manage iTaukei land while supporting national development.
The University of the South Pacific’s Head of Discipline for Land Management and Development, Dr Joeli Varo says Ratu Sukuna’s life has deeply inspired his own journey in education and land management.
Dr Varo, who recently attended a leadership fellowship at Oxford University, says walking through the same halls where Ratu Sukuna once studied was a special and humbling experience.
He says growing up in the village, many young iTaukei admired Ratu Sukuna’s leadership, discipline and commitment to serving the people.
According to Dr Varo, Ratu Sukuna was a “master of two worlds” because he successfully balanced traditional Fijian values with modern Western governance systems.
He highlighted Ratu Sukuna’s famous “three-legged stool” philosophy, based on the pillars of vanua, lotu and matanitu.
Dr Varo says Ratu Sukuna believed these three pillars must work together to ensure national stability, good governance and sustainable development.
He says today’s land management programmes and research at USP continue to build on the vision Ratu Sukuna laid out for future generations.
Dr Varo adds that Ratu Sukuna’s teachings continue to inspire Pacific Islanders to pursue education, leadership and sustainable development for the future of the region.
