Losalini Raravuya Dovi

Heritage and family life

Adi Losalini was the eldest child of Ratu Taniela Veikoso Uluiviti and Laisani Valotu (of Bau). Her father was an early colonial administrator under her future brother-in-law and Fiji's elder statesman Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and served as District Officer Levuka under the Commissioner Eastern Division. He was a scion of the chiefly clan of the Tui Nairai or paramount chief of Nairai island in the Lomaiviti Group. The elder of her two younger brothers, the late Ratu Nacanieli Mataika Uluiviti also served in Fiji's Upper House as a Senator. Her younger sister Adi Ilimaina Lawakulati Koto married Jale Toki Koto a long-serving member of the Suva City Council. Another younger sibling, Adi Alisi Davila Walker is a well known elder and lay preacher of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma and is married to Losalini's fellow Alliance Party and Cabinet Member Charles Walker. Her youngest sister Adi Mere Soloila Butadroka is the daughter-in-law of the well known iTaukei Nationalist politician the late Sakeasi Butadroka.

Her husband, Dr Ratu Jione Atonio Rabici Doviverata, was Roko Tui Bau, a Fijian paramount chief and younger brother of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. He was the colony's first fully qualified medical doctor, pursuing secondary education at the Wanganui Boys College completing matriculation at Otago University.

They had four children: Ratu Joni Maenabua Tuimacilai Madraiwiwi, Ratu Timoci Taniela Taliai Tavanavanua, Adi Litiana Maopa, Adi Viviana Valotu Sofi Veisaca.

Her eldest son succeeded to his father's title and is a former Vice-President of Fiji, a prominent lawyer and former High Court Judge.

She was widowed early in her political career with the death of her husband and proceeded to raise, and educate her children as a single parent.

Member of Legislative Council

In 1966, she was nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs to be one of the first pioneer lady members. The Legislative Council at the time was composed of Fijian, European and Indian Members (MLCs) who held communal seats restricted to their respective races. At the time Europeans and Indians elected their members while the Fijians elect the majority and retained nomination by the Great Council of Chiefs for two.

For the 1966 session she was nominated and Loma Livingstone was elected for a European seat and they were the first two lady MLCs. Irene Jai Narayan joined them when she beat Andrew Deoki in the Suva Indian Communal seat 1968 by-election.

Member of House of Representatives

Adi Losalini Dovi was elected to Fiji's House of Representatives in the 1972, 1977 (March), 1977 (September) and 1982 elections.

Member of Alliance Party

Losalini joined the Alliance at its founding and was Party Secretary for a short period, although she was quickly replaced by Isimeli Bose, a younger more energetic and well-educated party member.

She also served as the Government Whip in the very first session of Fiji's newly constituted post-independence Parliament, and a member of Cabinet in the portfolios of Urban Development, Women and Social Welfare.

Illness and death

She fell victim to cancer in the early 1980s and succumbed in late 1983.