How do you farewell a woman like this?

Western Samoa

HOW do you say goodbye to someone who has been the lead ing figure in women’s affairs in Samoa for the past 30 years? This was the question the Western Samoa Nation al Council of Women (NCW) faced when farewelling Laulu Fetauimolemau Mata’afa on the occasion of her appoint ment to be Western Samoa’s Consul- General in Auckland. It decided to stick to the traditional faamavaega format, of

lotu, sharing food together, speeches

and presentation of gifts, lauga by

Laulu, faatau (to decide who would have the honour of the final speech) and siva finale. This they did, so that Laulu’s farewell at the Maota o Tina (NCW Headquarters) was a memorable time of

nostalgia, tears, laughter and singing.

Laulu’s last weeks in Samoa were a rush of farewells, for her interests and

service have been widely spread through

the community. For example, the Girls Life Brigade, refused to accept her res ignation (and suggested to come to Au ckland and have meetings there!) The University of the South Pacific (USP) Ex tension services Council, of which Laulu is the chair, held an afternoon tea

gathering. Laulu strongly supported the

regional university concept, and held the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor of USP for six years.

The NCW farewell was a special one for Laulu. The NCW is close to her heart. She took over the leadership of the Council after the founding presi dent, Lady Eileen Powles. She has been president for 20 years, and secretary for six. During this time she has guided and cajoled the council safely through the difficult formative years as well as repre senting the women of Western Samoa at

regional and international meetings.

Laulu has led by example, chided members, annoyed others by her single mindedness and determination to get things done, and always demanded com plete loyalty from those who work with her. Many may have disagreed with Laulu, but no-one has ever questioned her dedication and loyalty to the women of Western Samoa, and her quest to bet ter women’s lives.

In the past five years, and mainly under Laulu’s direction, the NCW has moved a little away from the health and welfare concept of its initial inception.

This has been criticised, people stating that the NCW is not responsive to women’s needs, that it is out of touch.

Laulu believes “there are other organisa tions meeting those particular needs now”. The NCW has become more con cerned with issues.

At the 1984 independence parade, for example, the women of NCW staged a protest against nuclear armaments and testing in the Pacific. Someone com mented on the “incongruous” picture the old women made with their NCW uni forms, flower ulas and protest signs. She doubted whether the women knew what they were protesting about. But they did.

Laulu had made sure of that.

Legal rights and child and women abuse seminars have been run, and con sumer awareness workshops, and a brief factfinding survey carried out. A survey in the Saleufi town area on children who were not attending school. It brought very depressing results.

The second major thrust of the NCW programme in recent years has aimed at reviving traditional tapa -making skills.

Funding has been sought and successful courses run. Much of the tapa in stores in Apia is made by women who attended these courses. Laulu had hoped to estab lish a handicraft shop at the Mother’s Centre, so that women had an outlet for their handicraft. But someone said: “Laulu cannot run a store on a commer cial basis. A little old lady will come in with a mat, she will tell a story about how she needs the money, and Laulu will buy the mat, even if she doesn’t need it, even if it is a poorly made mat that no-one else would buy.”

This is a side of Laulu few see. Her public face is strong and unflinching.

She sees her appointment as Consul- General for Western Samoa as a pri vilege and a personal challenge. Say she: “When I was in Auckland recently, I looked at how Samoans were living there in a new way. I can see lots of ways I think I can help our people in New Zea land.” She is mindful of overstayers in New Zealand. □

Laulu Mata’afa: led by example