I first met Jone in 2013 when I volunteered for an NGO
called Transparency Fiji. Prior to that, Jone had worked at ANZ in the
marketing department. At that time I did part time work as a lecturer and did some
Board work. At TF, I worked with Jone on national surveys, civic education
workshops and producing films on integrity and anti-corruption. The work on
civic youth leadership later extended to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the
National Youth Council and UNDP. These assignments took us all over Fiji. Three
youth personalities (amongst the many) that stood out in their support of
Jone’s work were Ratu Wiliame Nayacatabu, Tupou Nawaikula and Emily Erasito.
His Polynesian looks can have its funny moments. In a Tailevu
village, some ladies asked in the iTaukei language (in his presence) if he ate
rourou and other iTaukei foods. We had to explain that he is from Bau and most certainly
eats all local foods! I have also had the situation of people asking me
politely how my son was. After seeing my quizzical look, they would describe
Jone and I would explain that we are work colleagues. His dad is handsomer!
“But you are also handsome,” they often say. “You are too kind,” I reply
sincerely.
Jone is very humble, hard-working and is a great role model
for young people. He has a talent for producing short films that create impact
on viewers in terms of getting across the messages of Integrity portrayed in
them. He had attended the CPAC film production training conducted by Macquarie
University in Tahiti and came back with valuable skills that matched his
personal talent. One of our great music videos on Integrity starring Samu
Walosio and Lusi Tupou was produced by Jone. All of our flash mobs, role plays
were also choreographed by him.
The many young people who have gone through YFI trainings
and have been inculcated film editing and production skills can thank Jone for
those skills. I got to writing most of the films produced by Jone because he
had taught me script writing skills.
One of the humorous side effects of working with him is
that almost everyone thinks we are usually together. I will get phone calls or
FB inboxes asking for his phone number or his whereabouts. When I am in the West
or any other part of Fiji, youths will invariably ask me how Jone is and
request that I give him their warmest regards. The requests can also come from unusual
places! I had gone to watch a movie at Village 6 and in the packed crowd, a
NYCF rep from Levuka asked me in a loud voice how Jone Siqila was. “He’s okay,”
I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. All the bystanders looked
intently at me with eyes that were like sharp drills to see if there was a hint
of sensitivity or delicateness in my demeanor. I had told Jone (drily) that
with so many people asking me about him I should be his Manager! That might not
be a bad idea, he quipped!
Dokanaisuva where Jone lives is a centre for Youths for
Integrity training programs. The Australian High Commission had renovated their
MYF Hall. This means that I and other facilitators and participants are
billeted in homes including Jone’s.
He now works for FBC TV and speaks highly and is very
grateful of the mentoring role provided by Andhy Blake.
His tight schedule means that he often is excluded from
current YFI trainings and often sleeps late especially in the weekends. As I
enter his room to take my laptop I just make the right amount of noise to let
him know of my presence. As I turn, I see his dad standing in the doorway and
he asks me politely if Junior should be woken up. I firmly say that he should sleep.
As I walk out Jone Siqila whispers, “Dr V!” A pause. “May
you live long!”
