Losalini Raravuya Dovi

Adi Losalini Raravuya Dovi
Member of Legislative Council (Fiji)
Great Council of Chiefs Nominee
In office
1966–1972
Preceded by 1 of 2 New Seats nominated by the GCC
Succeeded by Nominee system removed; universal suffrage introduced
Member of House of Representatives (Fiji)
Eastern General National Constituency
In office
1972–1977
Preceded by New Seat created by 1970 Constitution
Succeeded by Charles Walker
Assistant Minister of Women & Social Welfare
In office
1966–1970
Preceded by Portfolio established with introduction of responsible internal self government
Succeeded by Portfolio upgraded to status of full Minister
Minister of Women & Social Welfare
In office
1970–1982
Personal details
Born Levuka, Ovalau
Died Suva, Fiji
Political party Alliance Party
Spouse(s) Dr Ratu Ratu Dr. Jione Atonio Rabici Doviverata
Residence Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
Profession Administrator

Adi Losalini Raravuya Dovi, was a Fijian politician, and lady of rank[1] in Fiji's chiefly leadership.[2]

Heritage and family life

Adi Losalini was the eldest child of Ratu Taniela Veikoso Uluiviti and Laisani Valotu (of Bau). Her father was an early colonial administrator under her future brother-in-law and Fiji's elder statesman Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna[3] and served as District Officer Levuka under the Commissioner Eastern Division. He was a scion of the chiefly clan of the Tui Nairai or paramount chief of Nairai island in the Lomaiviti Group. The elder of her two younger brothers, the late Ratu Nacanieli Mataika Uluiviti also served in Fiji's Upper House as a Senator. Her younger sister Adi Ilimaina Lawakulati Koto married Jale Toki Koto a long-serving member of the Suva City Council. Another younger sibling, Adi Alisi Davila Walker is a well known elder and lay preacher of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma and is married to Losalini's fellow Alliance Party and Cabinet Member Charles Walker. Her youngest sister Adi Mere Soloila Butadroka is the daughter-in-law of the well known iTaukei Nationalist politician the late Sakeasi Butadroka.

Her husband, Dr Ratu Jione Atonio Rabici Doviverata, was Roko Tui Bau,[4] a Fijian paramount chief and younger brother of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. He was the colony's first fully qualified medical doctor,[5] pursuing secondary education at the Wanganui Boys College completing matriculation at Otago University.

They had four children: Ratu Joni Maenabua Tuimacilai Madraiwiwi, Ratu Timoci Taniela Taliai Tavanavanua, Adi Litiana Maopa, Adi Viviana Valotu Sofi Veisaca.

Her eldest son succeeded to his father's title and is a former Vice-President of Fiji, a prominent lawyer and former High Court Judge.[6]

She was widowed early in her political career with the death of her husband and proceeded to raise, and educate her children as a single parent.

Member of Legislative Council

In 1966, she was nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs to be one of the first[7] pioneer lady members. The Legislative Council at the time was composed of Fijian, European and Indian Members (MLCs) who held communal seats restricted to their respective races. At the time Europeans and Indians elected their members while the Fijians elect the majority and retained nomination by the Great Council of Chiefs for two.

For the 1966 session she was nominated and Loma Livingstone was elected for a European seat and they were the first two lady MLCs. Irene Jai Narayan joined them when she beat Andrew Deoki in the Suva Indian Communal seat 1968 by-election.

Member of House of Representatives

Adi Losalini Dovi was elected to Fiji's House of Representatives in the 1972, 1977 (March), 1977 (September) and 1982 elections.

Member of Alliance Party

Losalini joined the Alliance at its founding and was Party Secretary for a short period, although she was quickly replaced[8] by Isimeli Bose, a younger more energetic and well-educated party member.

She also served as the Government Whip in the very first session of Fiji's newly constituted post-independence Parliament,[2] and a member of Cabinet in the portfolios of Urban Development, Women and Social Welfare.[1]

Illness and death

She fell victim to cancer in the early 1980s and succumbed in late 1983.

References

  1. 1 2 Lal, Dr. Brij V. (2012). Fiji before the storm: Elections and the politics of development. ANU E Press. pp. 149–150. ISBN 9781922144638.
  2. 1 2 Lal, Brij V. (January 2006). Islands of turmoil: elections and politics in Fiji. Asia Pacific Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-7315-3751-8. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  3. ↑ Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese (1997). The Pacific Way: A Memoir. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 22. ISBN 0-8248-1880-6.
  4. ↑ Soszynski, Henry. "Roko Tui Bau (chiefly title)". World of Royalty. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  5. ↑ Biumaiono, Solomoni (18 March 2012). "Makogai's Legacy". Fiji Times. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  6. ↑ Palace Office, Lord Chamberlain. "Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi appointed Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatonga". Tonga Government Portal. Kingdom of Tonga. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  7. ↑ Thompson, Era Bell (February 1971). "Paradise Returned: Nation time comes to the Fiji Islands". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. pp. 84–91. Retrieved 24 February 2013. Adi (Princess) Losalini Dovi, only Fijian woman Member in the House, agrees.
  8. ↑ Howard, Michael C. (1991). Fiji: Race and Politics in an Island State. Vancouver BC: UBC Press. p. 109. ISBN 0-7748-0368-1.
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