MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE KING OF TONGA

At the recent memorial service held in memory of the late King of Tonga, Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, much was said about the many good things the king had done for the nation of Tonga and the region.

The Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral hosted the memorial and Professor Epeli Hau’Ofa of the University of the South Pacific (USP) gave a eulogy on the life and times of the king.

Prof. Hau’Ofa, who was also the late king’s personal secretary for a time, gave a very witty speech looking at the life of Queen Salote of Tonga and the contrasting life of her son, King Tupou IV.

Hau’Ofa spoke on the personal life of the king from his early school years in Tupou College to his time as monarch, including a brief look at Tupou IV’s work as Tonga’s Prime Minister.

It was said quite often that the late king radicalised and modernised Tongan society.

As Minister of Education, the king created a merit based scholarship for all Tongans regardless of rank or social status.

The king encouraged ordinary Tongans to educate themselves so as to move upwards in society, this resulted in the first-ever commoner Prime Minister for Tonga, Honorable Feleti Sevele.

The service was well attended by Tongan families living in Suva, church officials of local churches, local officials and various media representatives.

Reverend Tevita Havea preached a short sermon on the anointing of Kings and the impact of King Tupou IV’s reign on the lives of Tongans all over the world.

The service ended with the singing of the Tongan National Anthem.