The Question of Leadership

by Henry Enasio

I believe the statement “Leaders are made and not born” to be true.

To me, the above statement refers to one of the most significant issues concerning Rotuma’s future. It is controversial because our feudal past perpetuated several divisions of status for life, as in puer ne kainag ta, fa 'es ho'ag ta, 'umef ne hanua ma itu’u, faufis ta ma fa'es itu'ta.

As the incumbent to any of these posts obtains his position on a clan basis rather than by popular vote, and the appointment is for life unless circumstances require the title to be relinquished, it has intrigued me a lot. I have reflected and mused over the issue for some time.

I guess at the time these cultural rules originated they allowed for the survival of the fittest, where the strongest ruled, but the responsibilities of leadership are different now, when the development of Rotuma is paramount and of utmost importance to the community.

I hope my views will not be misconstrued to offend others when I merely want to point out an observation from my experience. I can comprehend and live with the fact that a handful of clan members can select someone to be chief against a majority that had no say at all in the appointment. What concerns me and is sometimes difficult to fathom is how to ensure that the person appointed best fits the role of one who is vahiag te financially, hardworking, and with a genuine interest in the community at heart. Ideally, the incumbent's leadership should assist in the development of the community he serves, and eventually in the development of all Rotuma. 

It affects the community at large when an unsuitable appointment is made on the basis of pa 'es gagaj because there's a lot more at stake than meets the eye. The person selected should have shown the qualities of a good leader and be prepared to accept the responsibilities involved. However, if the appointment is made on the basis of pa 'es gagaj, then that person may well prove a hindrance to the further development of the community and of Rotuma. Thus the statement “Leaders are made and not born.” 

I have been told, and have seen for myself, that the process of selecting chiefs was sometimes abused because someone unqualified for leadership wanted to be the gagaj ta. I know that some of the men in my own kainaga have held positions and have done very well, but there were others who stuffed it up big time and their actions left much to be desired. For such titles come with a lot of responsibilities, privileges, heartaches, losses, and expenses, too.

Rotuma has had some very good chiefs at the different levels in the past, beginning from cession and down through the ages to the current chiefs. I also see a lot of well-educated, experienced, and hard-working people who are capable of assuming leadership roles, which bodes well for the future.