Story Behind The Song – Na Luvu

Na Luvu – Tegu ni Nayarabale

On that fateful morning of 31st December 2019, pregnant Talica Gonetabu waved goodbye to her husband for the very last time. He was going out fishing just as he did the day prior and many other days, but this time never to return. Semi Veitaukula Tokalauvere was from Sawaieke, Gau.

Talica was alerted to the news of her missing husband not long after. The two boys who were swimming with him across the river later recounted the events of that direful day. They had attempted to cross the Wainibuka river near Nasautoka village.

This is a snippet from a Fiji Sun article 3 January 2020

Ms Caginiveisau said he swam across the Wainibuka River with two boys, nine-year-old Vilive Tubuitamana and 13-year-old Mitieli Rateiboro. Mitieli said they were about to reach the other side of the river when Tokalauvere, called out to him to hand him a bamboo.

“When I turned back with the bamboo I could only see the fingers of his right hand,” Mitieli said.

He then sprinted back to the village to alert the villagers, but the search proved futile.

Divers from the Police also joined the search, but they too could not locate the body.

It is understood that Mr Tokalauvere’s family from Suva arrived and made a traditional presentation to the chief of Nasautoka Village. After the presentation the body of Mr Tokalauvere surfaced at the same spot they had been searching.

Our love and prayers go out to Talica and the Tokalauvere family.