Panapasa Balekana [SEP] place of death
Panapasa Balekana
Panapasa Balekana, MBE, SIM, (1929 – 22 January 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.
Biography.
Balekana was originally from Kandavu, Fiji. He moved
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.
Balekana claimed in interviews to have received his inspiration for the anthem in a dream. After he woke up from the dream, Balekana and his wife immediately began writing words and lyrics, as well as composing the tune. Panapasa and Matila Balekana co-wrote the lyrics for the anthem, while Panapasa Balekana composed