Malietoa Tanumafili II State Funeral 2007

A snippet I made back in 2017 on the 10 year anniversary of the passing of His Highness, Le Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II.

An excerpt I wrote on the Facebook page for the video:
(7 May 2017)

This coming Thursday 11th of May, marks the 10 years since the passing of His Highness, the Late Head of State of Samoa and father of Samoa (and American Samoa as noted by numerous leaders such as Sunia and Togiola), Le Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II.

Known for his humility, and soft spoken nature - I am glad to have lived and grown up in Samoa while he was still alive. Every year I marched for our Independence Celebrations whilst attending Marist Brothers Primary School Mulivai and SJC, it was always a delight and a privilege to salute the HOS and dignitaries, whether it'd be raining or very sunny. But amidst the crowd of dignitaries and officials, there he would be - with the biggest smile on his face, waving at us and clapping his hands in gratitude. I'm sure it was such a boost and proud moment for the thousands of us who would march from whatever village, school, organisation we belonged to. For he was our father - and in some sense, our king.

Although His Highness was known for saying that "In Samoa, everyone is a king", it did not dismiss the fact on how much he was loved and revered by his people, not only in the islands of Samoa, but amongst all Samoans living in the diaspora.

He would have been 104 today if he was still alive.

We remember you Malietoa.

RIL ❤

#Samoa #Malietoa