Lincoln Mumuta, a year 12 learner at Rolleston College, achieved outstanding results at the FAGASA Tauvaga Tautalaga i le Gagana Samoa (speech competition) earlier this month.

Faalapotopotoga mo le aoaoina o le Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa (FAGASA), an organisation for teachers of Samoan in Aotearoa, organises the competition and Lincoln placed second in the Ōtautahi Christchurch event, qualifying him to the national competition in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 22 August.

Lincoln is recognised as an outstanding young leader in the Pasifika community, having won a Youth Community Engagement award at the sPACPAC awards in February. He also sits on the Selwyn Youth Council and his involvement in engaging conversations for youth in our district is impactful. He's held space with mayors, councillors, agencies, educations, police, and is passionate about advocating for youth and cultural inclusion in Selwyn. Lincoln says he studies with the hope of becoming a lawyer.

He hails from the villages of Falefa, Magiagi, Letogo, Salelavalu, and Satapuala in the independent nation of Western Samoa, and credits his grandmother and whāngai father with their guidance and motivation to enter the speech competition.

"I was born and raised in Ōtautahi Christchurch, which has been a strong contributing factor in taking up these opportunities, in an attempt to build knowledge of my Samoan heritage and native tongue," he says.

"My faith and belief in God is what inspires me to aspire bigger and dream better. It has been a guiding light."

This year's speech competition shared the same theme as Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa: "tautua i le alofa, manuia le lumana'i" – serve in love for a blessed future. Lincoln believes the topic can be a guiding light for all, and that "as youth, we should look to the future so others ahead of us can prosper and benefit from our choices today."

"We see the world slowly deteriorate around us, and it is our duty as youth to prevent and sustain it."

Lincoln says taking up opportunities like this has really helped him put himself out there: "I would advise anyone looking to boost their knowledge and skills to take up the challenges at hand as well! It will truly benefit everyone in the long term!"

He's incredibly grateful for his support system, and notes that his community involvement wouldn't be possible without them.

"I've worked in fields alongside others within the community, school network, ethnic communities, disability sector, council and government representees, church and faith groups, businesses, and non-profit organisations in attempts to empower the youth community, and provide a blessed and prosperous future for those who will inhabit the earth after us," he says.

It's an amazing contribution from someone so young, and we're so proud to support Lincoln in his endeavours.

Lincoln is preparing for the national Samoan speech competition now.

"It's a humbling experience to represent our kura and the wider Rolleston community!"