With preparations quietly under way to find a replacement Prime Minister, a poem written by the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has emerged.
Parliament is expected to begin electing a new Prime Minister by calling for nominations from among MPs once Thursday’s state funeral for Hon. Pōhiva is over.
Veteran Pacific affairs reporter Michael Field posted the poem on Facebook.
Written in Tongan and English, it is dated September 11, the day before the democratic party leader died.
In the poem Hon. Pōhiva says he did everything he could to make his dream of a democratic Tonga come true.
He thanked the people of the kingdom for their support and love.
My final farewell to the people of Tonga
To the people of Tonga…
It has been 32 years since you elected me as your representative
And that became a sacred covenant for my existence
We established a vision
And I did everything possible to turn that vision into reality
No energy was spared
Thank you for giving me your trust
Your support
Your love
I have fulfilled my obligations to you
This is my final farewell!
With all my love!
Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva
Ko e tatau ‘a Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’ ‘i he lea faka-Tonga’
Ko ‘eku tatau faka’osi ki he kakai ‘o e fonua
Ko e ta’u ‘eni ‘e 32 ‘eku hoko ko homou fakafofonga
Pea na’e hoko ia ko e kovinānite toputapu ki he’eku mo’ui
Na’a tau fokotu’u e vīsone
Pea na’e fai hoku lelei taha ke ngāue’i ‘a e vīsone ko ia’
Na’e ‘ikai tuku ha ivi
Mālō e tuku mai ho’omou falala
Ho’omou poupou
Ho’omou ‘ofa
Kuo lava hoku fatongia
Ko ‘eku tatau faka’osi ‘eni
Tu’a ‘Ofa Atu!
