Sir Kapi Natto ‘a perfect example of a great father’

“THE Late Sir Kapi Natto was a perfect example of great father who had time for his family apart from other duties”.
This was how Nipa-Kutubu MP and Sports Minister Philemon Embel described Sir Kapi Natto during his funeral service held at the PNG Bible Church in Waigani yesterday.
Embel was among many speakers, who spoke highly of Sir Kapi Natto, who started from a humble beginning from his remote hamlet in Mt Urisia, Fasu in Kutubu before becoming the chairman of one of the most successful resource companies Hekari Holdings Limited.
To the employees of the Hekari Holdings Limited and Kutubu Security and other subsidiary companies, Sir Kapi Natto was a mentor and a father to all.
Embel said late Sir Kapi Natto was committed to giving and helping others. Most of the time, he volunteered to assist people in need.
“He was committed to his church and a man of God,” Embel said.
As a Correctional Service officer, Embel said, he was a dedicated man and a shining example for other officers.
Sir Kapi Natto gave a lot to sports, especially rugby league, in particular to   Hekari Tarangau, and Hekari United FC, the semi-professional soccer team taking part in National Soccer League.
There are also other help he gave to the communities and schools in his own region and other sports throughout PNG.
Minister Embel said his only regret was he had no time to celebrate his knighthood as he was the first Nipa/Kutubuan to receive knight from the Queen.
He added that there were only two people who were fine examples.
They were the late Sir Kapi Natto and Sir Mari Kapi, former PNG chief justice.
Hekari Holdings Ltd representative, Tausi Alekevu said Sir Kapi’s contribution as chairman and director of the company was commendable.
“He was a man of vision who brought the company from the humble beginnings to what is today.
“He was a father, mentor and friend and he was always willing to assist were possible,” he said.
Fellow Kutubu man Kossy Sosoro described Sir Kapi Natto as a tall tree in Lake Kutubu where birds sought refuge. Now that he was dead, it would take a long while for a new tree to grow.
Solomon Island High Commissioner Bernard Batanasia thanked the late Sir Kapi for his support through his son, John who is married to a Solomon Islander.
“John has been more like a Solomon Islander by supporting many things in Solomon Islands, especially soccer and actively participating in the soccer festival in Solomon Islands,” he said.
Son John said there were only two things his late father always wanted to and dreamed of doing – his involvement with prison ministry and a chapel in Bui Ebi.
He also wanted sporting activities for the Correctional Services officers and inmates.
As a warder, Sir Kapi  wanted to see the prison camp shine.
He was not trying to please every one and make a steady climb from a warder to corporal, lance corporal to senior sergeant in the Correctional Services.
With the little education, Sir Kapi was always faithful and committed in whatever he did.
He also raised a humble family who had a big heart to support their fellow countrymen from Lake Kutubu and other parts of Papua New Guinea.
John said Sir Kapi’s  involvement with Tarangau RFLC in Mendi had him no option but to start the now defunct national Tarangau Sports Association.