Georgie’s Pizza Celebrates Silver Jubilee

By Lagi Keresoma/

“The Europeans look forward to the future, but Samoans always look to the past as very much a part of their journey to the future and to where they are now.”

Apia, Samoa – 17 September 2024 – The buzzing Georgie’s Pizza, located at Saleufi, celebrated 25 years of service on Monday night.

The embodiment of ones’ hard work, commitment and dedication, founder and owner Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai reflected on his journey when he went solo in 1999 and established what has become his trademark.

With a warm entertaining character and a natural flair to embrace people, Georgies Pizza became more than its variety of pizza products.

From its humble beginnings at its current location at the Lei Sam Building, Saleufi, Georgie remained grounded and had the time to help people and especially those from his isolated village at the Fagaloa Bay.

Twenty five years later, Georges Pizza continues to grow with the addition of new ovens and up to date equipment to cater for its growing pizza clientele. Then there is the Kava Rentals and the unique Fagaloa natural kava products which Georgie has smartly promoted in special combo packages targeting its growing overseas clientele.

Long-time Fagaloa village pastor, Reverend Elder Asotasi Time who led the jubilee celebration prayer service, remembers Georgies humble beginnings.

“I remember when the pizza business started from this very place, the seats were made of coconut logs..cut and made as chairs for customers to sit and eat; when they rot, they were replaced by other coconut log seats.”

Ou te manatua lelei le tau amata mai o le fale pizza i le nofoaga lava lenei, o nofoa o oganiu na fa’atutū solo e saofafa’i ai tagata ma a’ai, a pala ona toe sui mai lea i isi oganiu.”

Faletua Savaliga Time cutting the cake to mark the centennial jubilee as the founder Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai looks on.

He also remembers that despite the business just starting, but Georgie always fed his friends and pastors.

“He had a lot of pastor friends who not only ate but took out pizzas on credit, then later asked for a bus fare to Fagaloa as it’s so isolated, but he did it out of compassion,” said Reverend Asotasi.

“To’atele uo faife’au a lenei tama ma e a’ai aitalafu a pizza ona toe talosaga lea mo ni pasese e o ai laga mamao tuā, ona o le alofa.” 

A few years later, Georgie married Vanila who brought her banking and business background to build and consolidate the business to what it is today.

Twenty years later, Georgie was given the family honour to hold the Mau’u orators’ title; and still at a young age, was elected the Elder Deacon of the church. Then still to come, he was unanimously elected a member of parliament for the Vaa o Fonoti constituency in the 2021 general elections.

Elder Reverend Asotasi Time praised Mau’u’s perseverance and his success. But he also reminded him of his past and the key word he used was “Manatua” (remember).

“Mana means power and Tua means past,” said Reverend Time.

“The Europeans look forward to the future, but Samoans always look to the past as very much a part of their journey to the future and to where they are now.

“Remember your beginning, the support of families and friends and where you are now,” said Reverend Time.

He then congratulated Mau’u and Vanila and children and wished them well in their business, in their calling to serve the church and country through his role as a parliamentarian.

Mau’u acknowledged the support of his families and friends in his journey.

Then the Faletua, Savaliga Time cut the jubilee cake after Vanila blew the candles, then the 100 strong guests moved to the Tauese Seaview Restaurant where celebrations continued as Georgie’s Pizza moved on for yet another night of business.