Toleafoa Talitimu

Afioga Toleafoa Talitimu (died October 1980) was a Western Samoan songwriter and politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly in three spells between 1964 and his death, also serving as Speaker from 1973 until 1975.

Toleafoa Talitimu
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
In office 1973–1976
Preceded by	Magele Ate
Succeeded by	Leota Leuluaiali'i Ituau Ale
Member of the Legislative Assembly
In office 1979–1980
Preceded by	Unasa Ioane
Succeeded by	Leulu Laifaga
In office 1973–1976
Preceded by	Su'a Aloese
Succeeded by	Unasa Ioane
In office 1964–1967
Preceded by	Segi Lafa
Succeeded by	Su'a Aloese
Constituency	Fa'asaleleaga No. 3
Personal details
Died	October 1980 (aged 62) Faga, Western Samoa

Biography

Talitimu was one of three well-known Iiga songwriter brothers, alongside Gatoloai Peseta Sio.[1] He was elected to the Legislative Assembly from the Fa'asaleleaga No. 3 constituency in 1964.[2] He was defeated by Su'a Aloese in the 1967 elections and unsuccessfully challenged him again in 1970.[2]

In the 1973 elections he defeated Aloese by six votes. Following the elections, he was elected Speaker with 28 votes, defeating Leaupepe Faimaala (12) and Teo Fetu (6).[3] However, he lost his seat in the 1976 elections when he was defeated by Unasa Ioane. In the 1979 elections he returned to the Legislative Assembly, and was a candidate for the deputy speakership, losing by 23 votes to 24 to Aeau Taulupoo.[4]

He died in Faga on Savai'i island in October 1980 at the age of 62.[1]

References

1. Toleafoa Talitimu Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1980, p73
2. Samoan election results by constituency 1964–2016 Samoa Election Results Database
3. As you were in W. Samoa with Mataafa on top again Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1973, p25
4. Tupuola heeds a warning Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1979, p41