By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
A Salelologa orator made himself a national celebrity when he uttered the words last week. “Aua le Tu’u Faua’.
Roughly translated… ‘Don’t let them run loose’.
The pearl of cultural wisdom by orator Seumanu Viliamu Seumanu struck like lightening before a highly combustible former PM Tuilaepa.
Just as well the man had self-confessed about having the heart of an elephant or maybe because he has one, it helps explain his incredible depth of leadership.
His fighting reaction shows how he and his HRPP party stepped in all those years ago and rescued Samoa from the verge of bankruptcy.
Samoa as we know today has become an economic success story.
There are many examples of the benefits Samoa reaped from his strong leadership and they stand out tall and proud.
One that rippled beyond our national boundaries for any Samoan to boast about is that we are no longer a ‘least developed country’.
In international diplomatic circles economically poor countries are politely referred to under that term.
Yes we were once there. Tuilaepa took us out!
But he is no longer in the direct policy making role. As opposition leader his duty is to be the ‘voice of conscience’ to keep the new policy makers on their toes so as not to slip up.
We have to stay where we are. Simple as that!
This is where the Salelologa village orator hit it smack on the head with his ‘Aua Le Tu’u Faua’ wise words of counsel.
“Don’t cut them loose” is an appeal to Tuilaepa not to allow Samoa to slide back down and become a ‘least developed country’ again.
We are a very politically divided country now, unfortunately. As a democracy we have had our issues in the past with political loyalties but never as bad as we are in now since our April general elections.
Trust in the Judiciary as a bastion of integrity and the fair blessings of the Church, are cracked by doubt and allegations of political bias that is easy enough to see why.
Politics has played the two like keys on a piano. Whatever protest of innocence they plead to the tune they are alleged to be playing is a struggle for many to accept.
Critics may see little value in the HRPP Friday motorcade and the peace march on Monday except to waste petrol and clog up the road.
The argument is it will not topple the FAST Government overnight or forced an immediate return to general elections for a peaceful and more long lasting solution.
Valid point!
Well the point is very simple. For our own good, the dark side of our politics must be hung out on the washing line for the sun to shine on.
This is the ‘voice of conscience’ that the Salelologa orator has fired up in the new role assigned to the former Prime Minister and his political party.
If tooting car horns and burning up petrol will help restore the dignity of the Office of the Head of State and fix the Constitution, toot them louder and burn them harder.
If pounding the hot streets of Apia will lead to a happy ending for our political divisions, pound it harder and longer.
These are all perfectly in keeping with the new duties Tuilaepa and the HRPP have agreed to take up.
Let the will of the majority of the country who voted HRPP stoke the resolve to honour the call of the ‘voice of conscience’.
Whatever injustices the hand of fate dealt, the answer is not to roll over and wish for a lightening to struck the other side down.
God makes miracles. If we still believe the teachings of our politically biased church leaders, then miracles are rewards for your hard work that God smiles on.
Tuilaepa has left little doubt in the rewards of a work commitment befitting a person blessed with an elephant heart.
But not all of us are blessed with a huge heart. Do you wish to have one?
How often have we been told that we are all created differently to serve a purpose within our calling?
God as we understand and accept works in mysterious ways.
Be true to your faith and accept it as a calling. Tuilaepa is doing what he promises to commit 500 per cent of his strength to in his new duties.
“Aua le Tu’u Faua’!
The call is certainly a commitment that was not whispered but exploded to echo around Samoa for the opposition leader and the HRPP to hear lest they were hard of hearing.
Maybe that was the real reason why the Salelologa village was sent to the Maota i Petesa.
Thank you for your Sunday healing, Lord.