Colleagues pay tribute

Colleagues of the late Ualetenese Papali’i Taimalelagi Saumani paid tribute to his contribution to Samoa last night during a farewell service for the President of the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (J.A.W.S).

Held at his family home at Fa’atoia, the service was attended by government workers, members of the media as well as Uale’s relatives and friends.

Uale was working for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as the Press Secretary when he passed away.

His colleagues remembered Uale as someone whom they look to, to calm a storm. They also recalled a man who was not afraid to give honest advice.

“When it comes to the Prime Minister he was not afraid to tell him what he believes should be done,” a colleague recalled.

Among the speakers was Press Secretariat Officer, Asenati Tauasolo Semu, who joked that she was Uale’s tea lady.

Mrs. Semu said Uale was a funny man who would often scold her if she didn't make his coffee right.

On a serious note, she said that if there is one thing she remembers about her boss, it was his love of music.

“He loves playing his ukulele,” she said.

“Sometimes when I’m doing work, he will tell me to drop everything I’m doing and go get his ukulele…he treated us like his children and when he tells us off, he is also challenging us.”

Journalist Aigaifetu Leiataualesa also spoke about Uale’s talents.

In her eulogy, she remembered Uale from when he was a teacher at the Malua Theological College.

She said he was not only a family member but Uale was someone who would come to her for advice about family and music.