Filipe Bole Dies: Great Loss to Fiji

Former Deputy PM Filipe Bole dies

Former Deputy Prime Minister, distinguished diplomat, educationist and politician, Filipe Bole has passed away after a long illness.He was 83 and died at his home in Bureta Street, Samabula on Wednesday.

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Mr. Bole who hailed from Lau served variously as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education, and National Planning and as Minister for Constitutional Reform.

He served under the Alliance, SVT and the Interim Government led by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said Mr. Bole was not only a man of great honour and integrity, but a man who he called both a true friend and trusted advisor.


“Whether as a teacher, an ambassador, a parliamentarian, or a minister, Mr. Bole demonstrated the epitome of a selfless civil servant, putting his love of country, and his service to Fiji, above all else. He represented Fiji in the very best light, both on the international stage and here at home.”

“And he much like Fiji as a nation experienced an immense evolution over time, coming to realise that the future of our nation depended on reforming the systemic racial politics that long plagued our nation.”
“To put an end to that chapter of our history, he joined on to my government –– working hand-in-hand with us as an outspoken advocate of universal suffrage, knowing that true harmony could only be achieved in a democracy in which one person equaled one vote. For this, he was an inspiration to both me personally, and many thousands of Fijians throughout the country.”

“For his advocacy, his leadership, his friendship, and his service, I thank Mr. Bole. My prayers are with his family, and may they be comforted by the fact that his profound legacy will live on forever in Fiji,” said PM Bainimarama.

Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said Mr. Bole’s passing draws the curtain on the illustrious career of a humble man who rose from hardship to national leadership, leaving a legacy sacrifice and service in education, diplomacy, public service and political leadership.
 “As a career civil servant, Mr. Bole rose to the apex of the service as Permanent Secretary of Education and later, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Headquarters in New York.”
“It was a privilege to have been taught by him at Vulinituraga and later on he served as my Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Civil Aviation from 1992 to 1994, a period during which Fiji was able to restore its links with its traditional partners and emerge on a stronger footing in the Pacific region and joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group a few years later.”

“He was briefly a member of the Senate from 1974 to 1977 before he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1985 replacing the late Hon. Jonati Mavoa as the Member for the Lau/Rotuma Fijian Communal seat on an Alliance ticket. In 1987, he was re-elected,” he said.

“His introduction to politics and the experience he gained under the leadership of his High Chief the late Turaga Bale Na Tui Nayau, the Rt. Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara placed him in a position crucial to the promulgation of the 1990 Constitution and in the adoption of bi-partisan approach to national issues in Parliament.”

“Mr. Bole’s heart and mind centered in education as a teacher, unionist, and former Permanent Secretary. He also served in the interim government after the events of 1987 as the Minister for Education, Youth and Sports. He held that ministerial position from 1987 to 1992 and joined the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni iTaukei (SVT) Party in the 1992 elections and was elected to Parliament for the third time,” he added.

Mr. Bole will be laid to rest tomorrow. (last Thursday 20 June)
By Reginald Chandar