20 Most Famous People from Fiji 


 

Originally Published by Nellian in October 2022 and Updated by Nellian in May 2024.

Fiji is appreciated as the soft coral capital of the world. It is celebrated for its shallow lagoon with a lot of marine life to explore. In addition, there are mysterious caves and canyons surrounded by cool coral-covered walls.
 
More than the scenic beauty, the country boasts of influential figures in diverse fields. They have made positive contributions to their country and beyond. Take a look.
 
Here are the 20 Most Famous People from Fiji. 

1. Brij Vilash Lal 

Brij Vilash Lal 

Fijian historian, Brij Vilash Lal by ANU TV from Wikimedia Commons

 
Brij Vilash Lal was a historian. He was born on August 21st, 1952.  This Indo-Fijian author specialized in the Pacific and Indian indenture systems. He was a vocal opponent of the Bainimarama administration, which emerged from a military coup in 2006. He was re-elected in 2014 but was later exiled, and went to reside in Australia.  He later died on 25 December 2021.

2. Shamima Ali

 
Shamima Ali

Shamima Ali in 2011 by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Wikimedia Commons

 
Ali is a political activist of Indian heritage. In July 2015, she took on the role of the Fiji Women Crisis Center’s coordinator. Additionally, she participates in the Fiji Human Rights Commission. 

3. Imraz Iqbal Ali 

Imraz Iqbal Ali Fijan is an Indian-born businessman, politician, activist, and former television journalist. He never uses his last name outside of court proceedings. Further, he shares ownership of a Fijian magazine.
 
Iqbal’s television career also included hosting a well-liked Fiji diving adventure show. At the parliamentary election conducted on May 6–13, 2006, he ran under the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Party.
 
He contested to be elected in the Nasinu Indian Communal Constituency. He lost by a huge margin as only 226 out of more than 12,000 votes were cast in his favor, about 1.9 percent of the total. 

4. Rodney Acraman 

Acraman Rodney presided over the Fiji Human Rights Commission as its ex officio Chairperson from 2006 to 2007. This role came about after Shaista Shameem replaced him as chair of the commission.
 
He was appointed as Ombudsman on December 13, 2006, by the military government that had replaced the previous administration on December 5. Before being named, Acraman had worked for the Ombudsman’s office for sixteen years.
 
The Ombudsman’s position had been vacant for some time. This was because Walter Rigamoto had departed earlier on to resume his private practice of law.
 
A member of the Commission named Sevuloni Valenitabua resigned in protest against Acraman’s appointment. Moreover, Virisila Buadromo of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement condemned the Commission for confirming Acraman’s nomination. She added that it was hidden support for the military coup. 

5. Jimmy Snuka 

Jimmy Snuka

Jimmy Snuka by Paparazzo Photography from Wikimedia Commons

 
The Fijian actor and semi-retired professional wrestler is a headline personality. He signed a contract with WWE to take part in their Legends program. Snuka, a wrestler who originated from the Fiji Islands, competed in the 1970s and 1980s for some promotions.
 
The ring great was the first to hold the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice. He rose to fame in the mid-1980s during his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation.
 
Snuka’s children have also embraced wrestling. Therefore, they have managed to become champions in the WWE Championship.  Thus his daughter Diva Sarona Reiher is a current champion and his son Jimmy Reiher Jr. is a former WWE superstar.

6. Lote Tuqiri 

Rugby player Lote Tuqiri is also a headline name in Fiji. He is a former rugby union player and current professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tiger in the NRL(National Rugby League). 
 
He has played for Australia in both rugby codes and represented Fiji in the rugby league. He best performs as a winger. He gained popularity playing in the league for the Fiji and Australia national teams, as well as the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons.
 
Subsequently, switched to rugby unions in 2002, winning 67 caps for Australia and being a part of their 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads. In September 2013, he signed a short-term contract with Irish rugby union giants, Leinster to play in the Pro12 deal. 

7. Frank Bainimarama 

Frank Bainimarama

Frank Bainimarama by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from Wikimedia Commons

 
This Fijian politician sometimes goes by the chief title Ratu. He is a Fijian naval officer and politician who was the Prime Minister of Fiji from 2007 to 2022. Besides, he also served as the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces.
 
Additionally, Bainimarama has held various ministerial portfolios. Such as in Information, Home Affairs, Immigration, Public Service, Indigenous and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Finance, and Foreign Affairs. 

8. Wilma Smith 

Wilma Smith is a musical artist.  Though the violinist was born in Fiji she grew up in New Zealand. Since 2003, she has served as co-concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia. She doubles up as the concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She uses a Guadagnini violin from 1761. 

9. Penaia Ganilau 

He is a prominent politician and the first President of Fiji. He presided over the country from 8 December 1987 until he died in 1993. His other important position was from 12 February 1983 to 15 October 1987 when he represented Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Fiji, as Governor-General of Fiji. 

10. Samuela Vula 

The Fijian international footballer,  Samuela Vuluma plays as a defender. He has over time played in the National Football League for teams such as the Rewa F.C. What’s more, he has won seven caps for his country.

11. Vijay Singh

 
He is a Fijian professional golfer nicknamed “the Big Fijian”. His golf achievements are celebrated beyond his country. He has secured over 30 wins on the United States PGA Tour. Inclusive of his PGA wins are three major championships, and a Masters title in 2000. He boasts two PGA Championships won in 1998 and 2004.
 

Besides, Singh set a record as the first South Asian golfer to win a major championship. His accomplishments were honored with a World Golf Hall of Fame induction in 2006. The accomplished golfer reached world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2004 and 2005. He was also the PGA Tour money winner for two years in 2003, 2004, and 2008. In 2008 he won the FedEx Cup.

12. Ratu Banuve

The Fijian athlete by profession has his official name as Ratu Banuve Lalabalavu Tabakaucoro. He is a sprinter who specializes in the 100 and 200 meters. In the 2011 Coke Games, he ran his personal best in the senior boy’s finals on the 29 and 30 April. In the same contests, he helped his school win the 4 x 100 meters relay.

Furthermore, he set a record in the  2011 Pacific Games winning gold for both 100 and 200 meters races. He went on to defend his title in the Pacific Games in 2015 and 2019.

13. Waisale Serevi

Waisale Serevi

US Embassy Suva, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

He is a legend in the rugby sevens sport worldwide. This Fijian former rugby union football player and coach is appreciated as one of the greatest rugby sevens players in the history of the game. Nicknamed “The Wizard” his legacy has been celebrated in many ways including a biography written by Nick Darvenzi in 2008. The book is titled, Waisale Serevi: King of Sevens.

Beyond the sevens game, he was also a successful player in the 15-man game at club and national team levels. He was part of the Fiji team in the 1991, 1999, and 2003 Rugby World Cups.

Furthermore, while playing sevens, he was part of the 1993, 1997, 2001, and 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens with Fiji. They won the 1997 and 2005 cups of the competition.

Following the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens win, Serevi was appointed player-coach of the Fiji Sevens national team. He led his team to secure the 2005–06 World Sevens Series victory. Throughout his career, he also played for rugby teams like Mitsubishi, Leicester, Stade Montois, Stade Bordelais, and Staines.

14. Sisa Waqa

The acclaimed Fijian professional rugby footballer is praised as a great wing player. His notable play includes the Fiji national rugby team and the FC Grenoble club in the French Rugby Union.

Additionally, he has also played for the Sydney Roosters in 2009, and Melbourne Storm between 2011 and 2014. His time at Melbourne saw him win the 2012 NRL premiership. From 2015 to 2016, he played for the Canberra Raiders.

15. Inoke Kubuabola

His official name is Ratu Inoke Matavasona Kububuabola. He is a Fijian politician who has served in top government positions. Such as Cabinet Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and leader of the opposition. Since August 2022, he has held the position of High Commissioner to New Zealand.

16. Mataika Tuicakau

Tuicakau is famed as one of the greatest Fijian athletes. He set a record as the first gold medallist for Fiji at the Commonwealth Games. He remains their only athletics winner in the tournament’s history.

On top of that, he was declared champion of the 1950 British Empire Games shot put throw. In the same games, he claimed a silver medal in the discus. His 1951 shot put national record set in the country’s capital Suva, stood strong for over 50 years. His achievements earned him a place in the Fiji Sports Hall of Fame.

17. Filipe Bole

 
A renowned Fijian politician respected for promoting universal suffrage rather than racially segregated voting. His political reputation is marked with high integrity values free of scandals and consisting of moderate views.
 
Furthermore, in October 2003 he pushed for the election of all members of the House of Representatives by universal suffrage. He cited that it would make voters and politicians think and act for the common national good rather than based on communal interests.

18. Asaeli Tikoirotuma

Tikoirotuma is a household name in the Fijian rugby union. His main playing position is the wing. His wins include winning the Super Rugby title with the Chiefs at the 2012 Super Rugby Final.

Another highlight is the 2013 end-of-year tour with the Fiji team in October 2013. On top of that, Tikoirotuma joined the England Harlequins in June 2014. He proceeded to play for the London Irish in the Green King IPA Championship from 2015 until 2018. Since 2013 to date, he has played for the Fiji national team.

19. Alipate Qetaki

The former Attorney General of Fiji is also known as a lawyer, businessman, civil servant, and former politician. He served in the office of Attorney-General at two different times. First from May 1987 to September 1987. He later assumed the same office in 2000 and held it until 2001.

During his second term as Attorney-General, he served under the interim Cabinet formed by Fiji’s Prime Minister at the time, Laisenia Qarase. This period was after the Fiji coup of 2000. Qetaki held office until an elected government took power in 2001.

Additionally, he was the executive chairman of the Fiji Law Reform Commission in 2003. In 2008, he was appointed to the position of General Manager of the Native Land Trust Board. Since November 2008, he has been a Director of Fiji Sugar Corp. Ltd.

The Fijian professional footballer (soccer) plays as a striker for the Indian Super League club Odisha. He also doubles as part of the Fiji national team, which he captains. He is the most-capped Fijian footballer of all time. He reached 50 caps for the Fiji national team in 2022. He is also among the highest-scoring players in Fiji’s soccer history.

These famous figures are a testament to the impact of Fijians in their country and beyond. From politicians, and sports personalities to literature legends, Fijians’ influence is evident in their country and on the international scene.

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