Edward Cakobau

Ratu Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau (21 December 1908 – 25 June 1973) was a Fijian chief, soldier, politician and cricketer. He was a member of the Fijian legislature from 1944 until his death, also serving as Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour and Deputy Prime Minister. During the 1940s he made two appearances for the Fiji national cricket team.

Biography

Cakobau was born in December 1908, the son of King George Tupou II of Tonga and his mistress Adi Litia Cakobau, who was a granddaughter of Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the first King of Fiji. He was a half-brother of Queen Salote Tupou III of Tonga. He later attended Wadham College, Oxford to study colonial administration. During World War II he served in the Solomon Islands, for which he was awarded the Military Cross. He later returned to military service during the Malayan Emergency, serving in Malaya in 1953 and 1954, during which he became commanding officer of the Fiji Battalion. Following the elections, he was appointed Member for Commerce, Industry and Tourism. In 1967 he became Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour. He was knighted in the 1971 New Year Honours. In the 1972 elections he ran for the Fijian seat in the Suva East national constituency and was elected to the House of Representatives. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Prime Minister by Kamisese Mara.

Cakobau died on 25 June 1973, and was buried on Bau on 29 June. He had four sons; the eldest, Viliame Dreunimisimisi (1939–2000) was responsible for the first distillery in the South Pacific and served as Minister for Tourism and Agriculture. The second son, Epeli Nailatikau (born 1941) was also a politician, serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later President. His third son, Tu'uakitau Cokanauto (1947–2023) was also a minister; the fourth son was Keni Vuiyasawa.