Mualevu chief, Ratu Josefa Basulu laid to rest today

Fiji Sun News - 5 July 2010

The Sau Mai Mualevu, Ratu Josefa Basulu will be laid to rest today at the the chiefly burial ground at Mualevu Village, Vanuabalavu, Lau. His Matanivanua Fifita Volau told the Fiji Sun at the Marine Jetty, Walu Bay yesterday, that Ratu Josefa died of prostate cancer at his daughter's residence in Nadi last week. He said Ratu Josefa was a chief for the people. "We will really miss his chiefly leadership," Mr Volau said. Ratu Josefa's last journey started yesterday from Nadi to the Marine Jetty at Walu Bay where his body was taken to Vanuabalavu by the government vessel "Iloilovatu.  He was accompanied by 80 people (10 each from the eight villages in the Mualevu district) and close relatives. Mr Volau said upon arrival at Lomaloma jetty, the traditional ceremony ivakasobu will be performed by some elders of Mualevu before proceeding to Mualevu village. Ratu Josefa was the deputy chairman of the Lau Provincial Council. The late Ratu Josefa was installed as Sau mai Mualevu in 1992.