First Independence Flag raising celebration in Savaii well received

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 06 SEPTEMBER 2022: The raising of the Samoan flag this morning in Savaii as part of this year’s 60^th Independence Celebrations is a first that has been well received. First through the speeches, the songs sung by the performers and the social media comments.

One such comment was 75 year old Matalena Schuster who now resides in Brisbane who said she was 15 when she saw the lowering of the New Zealand flag at Mulinu’u on Independence Day, and the raising of Samoa’s flag for the first time on 01 January 1962. She was emotional to see the flag raised this morning by Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister and “on the soils of our beautiful Salafai.”

In her message at the celebration today, Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataafa said it was “a momentous occasion as the country came together to celebrate in Savaii, and to remember the sacrifices of our forefathers who paved the foundation for Samoa.”

The 60^th independence celebrations on 01 June at Mulinu’u was limited with only several invited guests, due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

“But the restrictions created another opportunity for the 51 districts around the country to conduct their own celebrations to mark the 60^th anniversary of Samoa’s independence,” said Fiamē.

Hosting the celebration in Savaii merits the year-long celebration and encourages more people in the villages to participate and be part of the celebrations.

Not only was today’s ceremony historical, Fiamē also announced that Cabinet will be having its first full cabinet meeting for the first time in Savaii.

In the past 60 years, all official programs for celebrating independence took place at Mulinu’u, and Cabinet meetings have always been conducted within the walls of the Government building in Apia.

“This is a new beginning and let us continue to sail with faith safely into the future,” said Fiamē.

She touched on the turbulent times after the 2021 general election and the quest for a successful celebration of the country’s 60 years as a reminder of the bold efforts and sacrifice of our forefathers and leaders for freedom and who built the Samoa we know today.

Students of Don Bosco College performing after the flag raising and parade. 

Fiamē acknowledged the presence of the New Zealand Governor General, Her Excellency the Rt. Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro who was the guest of honour and her delegation.

She said the Governor General’s presence symbolises the strong ties and relationship between New Zealand and Samoa, as evident in the Treaty of Friendship signed 60 years ago between the two countries.

She also acknowledged the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi 11 and faletua, the Council of Deputies’ Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, Cabinet and everyone that took part in the celebration.

The celebration started with a church service conducted by Reverend Elder Palemia Tauiliili on the theme taken from the Book of St Luke 12:41-59 with the Mata-ae-vave College singing the hymns for the service.

Fiamē then had the honour as the first woman Prime Minister to raise the flag followed by schools and organisations march pass and traditional entertainment.

The guests later attended a Government luncheon at the Amoa Resort before continuing on with the program and other side events.