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Don’t call me a “vulagi”: Akbar

July 15, 2019 4:00 pm

Rosy Akbar

The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar says she does not see herself as a ‘vulagi’ – but as a proud Fijian.

Speaking at the International Conference on Forced Labour and Migration at the University of Fiji Saweni Campus today, Akbar questions how she could be a visitor when her grandparents and father were born and buried in Fiji.

“My ancestors were buried here, my dad is buried here and my mother will be buried here, I will be buried here and my children will be buried here so definitely don’t call me a vulagi.”

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She says Fiji has come a long way since the Indentured period tackling the issues of identity crisis in the most positive way.

“I certainly do not see myself as a ‘vulagi’ (visitor) in my own home, in my own country. This is my home and home too many of us and it should remain a home to many of us and those that are going to come after us, our children and their children and their children and their children.”

Akbar then again questions how she could be a “vulagi” as believed or bluntly stated by some.

The conference which ends on Wednesday will also look at different topics of forced labour in Fiji.