Tupuola wins a title
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
The Leader of the Opposition in Western Samoa, Tupuola Efi, has won an important title case against op ponents who included the Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafli 11, and Prime Minister Fiame Mataafa.
The title was that of “Taisi”.
Malietoa and Mataafa, who are blood cousins, contended that the “pule” (authority) over the Taisi title belong ed to them and that, therefore, Tupuola had no right to take the title.
The Land and Titles Court, how ever, ruled in favour of Tupuola and confirmed his taking of the Taisi title.
Tupuola said he did not intend to use the Taisi title as the official name by which he would be called. He still preferred to be called Tupuola. ‘T am not a Tofa,” he said.
Tofa, the previous Minister of Finance, used three different matai titles in three different elections to try to get elected into parliament. He was Taneolevao in one election. Tofa in another one, and Tuataga in the last one, his only unsuccessful one.