“A man of the people”

Dr Timoci Bavadra, 52, is the traditional head of the i tokatoka Werecakacaka Yavusa of Vuda.

He comes from the vil lage Veiseisei near Nadi airport on the Western side of the main island of Vitilevu.

He is married to Adi Kuini Tcimumu of the chiefly family of the chiefly family of Noikoro in Navo sa/ Nadroga.

Dr Bavadra attended the Queen Victoria School and later attended the Fiji Medical School. He was a post-graduate student at Otago University in Dune din, New Zealand. He also served in the Solomon Is lands as a medical doctor on secondment from the Fiji Civil Service.

He spearheaded Fiji’s efforts towards primary health care and has been involved with the setting up of village health clinics.

environmental, family health and family planning programmes, (he has 11 children).

Dr Bavadra retired from his position of Director of Primary and Preventive Health Services in 1985 to take up the leadership of the Fiji Labour Party. Last year he was appointed leader of the NFP/Labour Coalition.

He describes himself as “a man of the people” who is most comfortable when sitting on the floor with his friends to enjoy bowls of Yaqona (Kava). He played rugby and was a trialist for the Fiji rugby team to tour Australia in 1961. He also loves playing golf.

While Dr Bavadra has no experience in political affairs he is well versed in trade union matters and has served as the President of the Fiji Public Service Association