Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese, << MAHR uh, RAH too sihr kah muh SAY say >> (1920-2004), became Fiji’s first prime minister after the British colony gained its independence in 1970. At the time, he was leader of the Alliance Party, which he had founded in the 1960’s. Mara served as prime minister until April 1987, when the Alliance Party lost a general election. However, he was reinstated as prime minister in December after military leaders deposed the elected government. He held office until 1992. Mara also served as acting president of Fiji in 1993 and as president from 1994 to 2000.
Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara was born in Lomaloma, on the island of Vanua Balavu, on May 6, 1920. His family was the ruling family of the Lau Islands in eastern Fiji. As part of this family, he received the title ratu, meaning chief. Mara studied medicine at the University of Otago in New Zealand and later attended Oxford University and the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom.
In 1953, Mara won election to the Legislative Council of Fiji, then still a British colony. In 1966, he became the council’s leader of government business. From 1967 to 1970, he served as its chief minister. Also in 1966, upon his father’s death, Mara became paramount (head) chief of the Lau Islands. Mara was knighted in 1969. He died in Suva on April 18, 2004.
