Panapasa Balekana
| Panapasa Balekana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1929 Kandavu, Fiji |
| Died | January 22, 2009 (aged 79) Henderson, Solomon Islands |
| Occupation | Pastor, businessman and composer |
| Spouse(s) | Matila Balekana |
Panapasa Balekana, MBE,SIM, (1929 – January 22, 2009) was a Fijian-born Solomon Islander who composed the national anthem of the Solomon Islands, God Save Our Solomon Islands, with his wife, Matila Balekana. Panapasa Balekana co-wrote the anthem's lyrics with his wife while he composed the accompanying music.
The anthem was adopted by the country upon its independence in 1978 following a government competition.
Balekana was originally from Kandavu, Fiji. He moved to the Solomon Islands in 1953 to work as a mechanic for the government, which was under British colonial administration at the time. He was unmarried when he first moved to the Solomon Islands. He eventually married a Fijian woman, Matila Balekana and resided in the Solomon Islands for most of his adult life. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter.
Balekana "fell in love" with the Solomon Islands and decided to stay in the country rather than return to Fiji. On many occasions, Balekana publicly called the Solomon Islands "my home".
Balekana and his family joined the Wesley United Church in Honiara. He remained heavily involved with the congregation, serving as a church pastor and choirmaster.
In the run-up to independence on July 7, 1978, the government of the Solomon Islands decided that it needed a national anthem for the occasion. The government announced on the radio that it would accept submissions from the general public for a new anthem.
Panapasa Balekana and his wife, Matila Balekana, decided to jointly enter the competition as a team. The couple agreed that the new anthem should be in the form of a prayer, asking God to support and guide the new island nation.
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