Our team
Celsus Talifilu
Celsus is the son of Saverio Talifilu, the Headman of East Baegu who enabled the ethnomusicologist Hugo Zemp to record the music of the Beagu people in 1969.
Celsus is the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, leading the Prime Minister's Political Division in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Celsus has previously worked as a Political Adviser to the Premier of the Malaita Provincial Government, the Policy Coordinator for the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Policy Secretary for the Productive Sector of the Solomon Islands Government, and in the Economics and Parliamentary Research Office for the Office of the Leader of Opposition.
Celsus is strongly focused on ensuring that the activities of the Afunakwa Foundation are conducted with the highest ethical standards, and that the foundation’s resources are equitably allocated across the Baegu community.
Clement Iata
Clement is a grandson of Afunakwa. He is the son of Jack Ilalafiri, who is the eldest son of Afunakwa.
Clement is a carpenter and builder by trade. He is the founder of a construction business which operates in Honiara and Malaita. His company has experience building schools and churches in these regions.
Tony Kwaomae
Tony is a grandson of Afunakwa. He is the son of Jack Ilalafiri, the eldest son of Afunakwa.
Tony is the principal and science teacher at Kwarae Community School, a secondary school in Malaita.
Tony is passionate about preserving traditional Malaitan culture and is the organiser of annual events which celebrate traditional Malaitan music, dancing and practices.
Claudius Iluga
Claudius is a grandson of Afunakwa. He is the son of Jack Ilalafiri, the eldest son of Afunakwa.
Claudius is a secondary school teacher at Kwarae Community School, a secondary school in Malaita.
As a former Marist brother of the Catholic Church, he has extensive experience teaching in Malaita.
Advisory Council
In addition, an advisory council is being established to help ensure that the perspectives of the wider community are reflected in the Foundation’s decision-making. Members of the advisory council will include descendants of Afunakwa’s other children, members of her original tribe (Masu Abirakafo), and members of her husband John Iata’s tribe (Wuo Manasato).
With thanks
We would like to thank the Pacific Legal Network for their generous support in establishing of the Afunakwa Foundation.
Damian Kelly
William Kadi
Primo Afeau
Dirk Heinz
