14 Facts About Edward Cakobau

Edward Cakobau was a member of the Fijian legislature from 1944 until his death, serving as Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour and Deputy Prime Minister.

Edward Cakobau was a half-brother of Queen Salote Tupou III of Tonga.

Edward Cakobau was educated at Wanganui Technical College between 1923 and 1928, and then Auckland Technical College.

Edward Cakobau later attended Wadham College, Oxford to study colonial administration.

Edward Cakobau later became a civil servant, starting as a clerk in the Native Affairs Department and rising to become Deputy Secretary for Fijian Affairs.

Edward Cakobau was one of Fiji's representatives at the coronation of George VI in 1937.

Edward Cakobau 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.

Edward Cakobau was awarded the OBE for his service in Malaya, and was given a CBE in the 1966 Birthday Honours.

Edward Cakobau continued to be nominated to the Legislative Council until the 1966 elections, when he elected unopposed in the Fijian Central cross-voting constituency.

Edward Cakobau was knighted in the 1971 New Year Honours.

Edward Cakobau was appointed Deputy Prime Minister by Kamisese Mara.

Edward Cakobau died on 25 June 1973, and was buried on Bau on 29 June.

Edward Cakobau had four sons; the eldest, Viliame Dreunimisimisi was responsible for the first distillery in the South Pacific and served as Minister for Tourism and Agriculture.

Edward Cakobau's third son, Tu'uakitau Cokanauto was a minister; the fourth son was Keni Vuiyasawa.