Palemene idolises P.M. as a servant

By Aruna Lolani 25 May 2017, 12:00AM

“The path to leadership is through service.” 

The notion is something Palemene Asasenifili from Salelesi and Eva strongly believes in. 

The 50-year-old caught up with the Village Voice while he was doing his usual chores around the house. 

“I don’t have a wife or a job but I do have a duty to my family and my elderly mother at home,” he said. 

“I truly believe the path to leadership is through service and it’s exactly what I’m doing now. 

But it’s easier said than done.

“Serving is not an easy task and it never will be. Being a servant is serving everyone with love, patience and most importantly honesty.” 

Palemene adores Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi. He said he idolizes his service to Samoa.

 “As you may all know Tuilaepa is someone at the highest level of leadership who is also always serving the people he leads.

“He leads by serving and what comes after serving? Of course he is the Prime Minister of Samoa. I know he serves with love and honesty and that is the reason why he became successful.” 

Palemene added that despite the challenges, he is always grateful.

 “I do all sorts of chores at home,” he said. 

“I don’t ever depend on anyone for help. My family survives from the fruits of our plantation. 

“The important thing to me is to serve my family with what I have on my own two hands.” 

Palemene challenged Samoa to serve like the Prime Minister. 

“You can only be a leader if there are people willing to follow you,” he said.

“To do that you have to lead by example. Your clients will loyally follow and stick with you once they trust that you are leading them to a place they want to be.

“We should be asking ourselves, “Is it correct that that service is the way to leadership? How can we be leaders, if we don’t serve?” 

By Aruna Lolani 25 May 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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