We are proud to recognize and congratulate our staff members who have successfully earned their Certificates of Achievement for completing the Leadership Skills for Supervisors course. This accomplishment reflects not only their personal dedication and commitment to growth, but also the continuous support provided by our Co-operative Thrift, its Board, and management.
Our organization remains steadfast in its mission to empower our team by creating opportunities for education, professional development, and skill enhancement. These achievements demonstrate the positive impact of investing in our people and fostering a workplace culture where learning is encouraged and celebrated.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the University of the South Pacific for offering accessible and relevant courses to corporate organizations. Through this partnership, FTACTL was able to enroll and support staff members who were eager to advance their knowledge and leadership capabilities.
This milestone serves as a reminder that our hardworking co-operative thrift will continue to stand by our members and employees, supporting them in their pursuit of further studies and personal advancement. Together, we are building a stronger, more capable, and future-ready community.
Kakavaki Milestone: First-Ever $10,000 Payout Marks a Historic Moment for FTACTL
August was a landmark month for FTACTL, highlighted by the first-ever $10,000 Kakavaki payout—a milestone that reflects years of commitment, sacrifice, and trust from members who believed in the vision of the Cooperative.
Amid two major events—the 2025 AGM and the grand opening of the Natabua Teachers Village—FTACTL proudly celebrated this historic achievement. Two dedicated members, Mr. Peni Vatilai and Mr. Mesu, became the first recipients of the $10K Kakavaki payout, finally reaping the rewards of their long-term investment and perseverance through the Kakavaki scheme. Their success stands as an inspiring example of what consistent contribution and faith in the Cooperative can accomplish.
FTACTL now encourages all members to take part in the Kakavaki investment scheme, as it continues to demonstrate its value and potential for life-changing financial support. With more opportunities ahead, this milestone marks just the beginning of greater benefits for members in the years to come.
The 2025 FTACTL Annual General Meeting was celebrated as a remarkable milestone by members across the country. This year marked a turning point for the Cooperative, highlighted by two major achievements that brought pride and renewed confidence to all: the successful launch of the $10K Kakavaki to selected members, and the grand opening of the new Teachers Village at Natabua.
Both initiatives stand as powerful symbols of progress, stability, and the Cooperative’s commitment to uplifting the lives of its members. The Kakavaki payout brought joy and relief to the recipients, while the Natabua Teachers Village showcased the Cooperative’s long-term vision coming to life—providing secure and quality housing for teachers and their families.
The AGM itself ran smoothly and professionally, thanks to the FTACTL Board’s clear, transparent, and well-presented annual report. Members appreciated the openness, accountability, and strong leadership that have shaped this year’s successes.
As the Cooperative looks ahead, this AGM marks the beginning of a new era of growth and unity for FTACTL and the wider community it serves. Members expressed their hope that even more colleagues will continue to join and support the Cooperative’s journey, strengthening the spirit of togetherness and ensuring brighter opportunities for all.
The Natabua Teachers Village was officially opened on August 21st by the Prime Minister of Fiji, marking a significant milestone in the journey of the FTA Cooperative Thrift. What began years ago as the FTA Housing Scheme has now transformed into a successful and inspiring development, made possible through vision, commitment, and strong leadership.
The project was revived and driven forward with fresh energy when new, aspiring board members joined the Cooperative, bringing renewed focus to making the long-awaited village a reality. Through dedication, patience, and unwavering hard work, the dream of providing quality housing for teachers and their families finally came to life.
This achievement stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of the FTACTL Board, its loyal members, and the committed staff who supported the project every step of the way. Special acknowledgement is also given to the Engineering and Building & Construction team, whose expertise and craftsmanship ensured that the village was completed to a high standard.
The Natabua Teachers Village is more than just a housing project—it represents progress, unity, and the Cooperative’s ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of its members. It is a proud moment for the entire FTACTL community and a foundation for even greater accomplishments ahead.
What a beautiful day of celebration at the FTA Hall, Knollys Street, as members came together to honor our beloved Fiji! Today’s event was made even more special with Dr. Unaisi Baba, Vice Chancellor of FNU, as our esteemed guest of honour.
Dr. Baba delivered an inspiring and heartfelt speech to the teachers present, reminding us all of the invaluable role educators play in shaping the future. She spoke with great wisdom about the challenges our teachers face daily—whether in the classroom or beyond—and how they can be overcome through patience, resilience, and working together in harmony. Her words echoed the spirit of unity and strength that makes us proud to be Fijian.
As we celebrate our nation’s history and look toward the future, let’s remember that we all have a part to play in building a brighter tomorrow. Thank you to all our hardworking teachers for their dedication and commitment to the children and youth of Fiji. Together, we can rise above any challenge.
The inclusion of a Teachers village was a noble thought, floated and consented to by members, in 1997, when the FTA Housing Assistance Scheme was first established.
In taking over the functions when the FTAHAS merged with the FTA Co-operative Thrift Ltd in 2017, the current FTACTL Board ensured that this realization was fulfilled
Its subdivision and further development, within reach in the purchase of land at Nakadi, Navuso (60 quarter acres) and 13 quarter acres at Natabua in Lautoka. As per FTACTL policy, the Youth members will enjoy 30% of all land and property dealings of the FTA Co-operative Thrift Ltd.
The Launching of the Teacher’s Village was held in Dratabu during a consultation with members. The Dratabu visit in Nadi, saw the attendance of members from the greater Nadroga, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba Tavua and Vatukoula areas.
The Teacher’s Village was launched at Dratabu village Hall during the consultation with presence of Taukei Navo (Dratabu) Ratu Meli Saukuru, the head of the Yavusa Nanuku, Namoli (owners of the 13 acres at Natabua) and FTACTL Members.
Members of the FTA Youth Wing assisting with registration
Area Rep Ba/Tavua and Mr Seru during the consultation
FTACTL Staff Mr Bainivalu during member services
Mr Iosefo Volau (FTACTL Chairman), Ratu Meli Saukuru (Turaga na Taukei Navo – Dratabu) and Ratu Taniela Vuki (Head of Mataqali Nanuku – Namoli), with two members during the cutting of the cake for the Launching of the Teacher’s Village
In ensuring the safety and certain obligatory functions towards its Executives and Board members, with the inclusion of its staff, this product has consistently been a part of the Fijian Teachers Association and Fijian Teacher’s Association Co-operative Thrift for the past decades.
The current Board in visualizing a clear demarcation of its objects has extended its efforts to include a member’s family in its obligatory sphere. This will assist in the preparation of the member’s family obligations during and after the members’ tenured term of service.
A Game Changer in itself, the modified product is envisioned to ensure that all members, will have the option to either, after their demise, are accorded the highest respect in appreciation of their loyal, selfless and dedicated service to the teaching fraternity during their teaching tenure. However, in the event should they retire, have the alternative to either continue with the NA KAKAVAKI until they reach 60 or 65 years of age, or may opt to collect their full premium plus SPECIAL INTEREST after satisfying preliminary conditions.
FTACTL Chairman visited the islands of Moala,Totoya, Matuku, Vatoa and Ono in the Lau Group in his capacity as UNICEF Pacific Education Specialist with MEHA officers. He was able to conduct FTACTL consultations as well as member services to teachers in majority of the schools in all the islands visited.
Babasea Primary School, Levuka i Daku, Matuku,Matuku. Head Teacher Emele Bauta Qalocabekikadavu
HT Doi Village School Mosese Rokotavu
Matuku Teachers during consultation.
Teachers and students Vunuku Village School Moala
Vatoa Village School, Teachers and Students. HT Epineri Gauna
Members were really overwhelmed with the office updates and the services and products available with FTACTL especially the new IT System – the Thrift Plus 1 Member Online Portal. They witnessed first hand the ease of services as loan applications were approved from the meeting venues. FTACTL wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to Heads of Schools and Teachers of schools visited for their hospitality.
We are very excited to announce the launch of our newly designed website www.ftactl.org.fj.
After months of hard work and dedication, we are delighted to officially announce the launch on March 19, 2021. We wanted to make the new website faster ,easier to navigate, and more user-friendly.
The FTACTL Chairman, Mr. Iosefo Volau, in his address mentioned that that was part of the Vision set in 2017, and that was, the FTACTL “To be a leader in the Co-operative Business in Fiji and the Region”. Specifically, an objective in the second output of the 2017 – 2019 Strategic Plan was “To obtain ICT system that is relevant, user friendly and improves services to members”. That objective was also adopted into the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan to complete work on the web-based financial database system, “Thrift Plus 1” and eventually, the launch of the website. In fact, the Covid-19 pandemic in a way, was also a positive catalyst speeding up the completion and achievement of those objectives and allowing the FTACTL to serve members better with the launching of the Member Portal. With the emergence of “new norms” due to COVID-19, service to members remained paramount for the FTACTL, thus the adoption of new products and services, procedures as well as platforms to maintain the trend. Mr. Volau also urged that members change their mindsets and save more and loan wisely as the FTACTL is adapting to the changing paradigms of the Co-operative business during this challenging time.
The FTACTL was honored to have the presence of the FTA President, Mr. Netani Druavesi, the FTA General Secretary, Mr. Paula Manumanunitoga, Representatives from the Department of Co-operatives, WESTPAC Bank, IP1 and the Designer of our website GEM IT. In addition, support received from the FTA Executives, the FTACTL Board members as well as the FTA and FTACTL staff and all faithful FTA family members was appreciated.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Mr Naisa Cama (FTA Treasurer). Mr Tawake Gaunavou (Westpac Accounts Manager). Mr Peceli Rinakama (RFTA Vice President). Mr Netani Druavesi (FTA President). Ms Monika Vakalalabure (FTA VP/Professional). Mrs Nanise Kamikamica (FTACTL Vice Chair). Mr Iosefo Volau (FTACTL Chairman). Mr Marika Nasedra (Department fo Co-operative Officer). Mr Jack Kivi (IP1 Director Finance). Mr Paula Manumanunitoga (FTA General Secretary)
As a Co-operative, it is important to disseminate information regarding our products and services easily and accessible to our current and prospective members. We endeavor to provide our members with the most accurate, up-to-date information and share our knowledge and experiences of events that are of interest to members. Our goal with this new website is to provide our visitors an easier way to learn about the FTACTL’s services and to browse information based on their own choice. The new website gives better access to ‘Who We Are,’ our Savings and Loans Products, Investment portfolio, News & Events, Services, Join procedures and Resources.
Amongst the new features, the site contains integrated social media buttons for the FTACTL Facebook Page as well as the FTACTL Youtube Channel, to foster improved communication with members. We will be constantly updating our content with helpful information, Co-operative announcements and member successes in the News.
To our amazing Media and Publicity team at the FTACTL, your time, energy and efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you for working in collaboration withGEM IT SOLUTIONSto make this site what it is, and our web-based database developer partner Infinity Plus One who have been a fantastic partner for us and we wholeheartedly recommend them!
