Thank you Lady Veronica

BEHIND every great and successful man is a woman.
It emphasises the fact that men’s success often depends on the work and support of their wives.
The same sentiments can be said about Lady Veronica Somare, who has been the pillar of strength behind the father of the nation – the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
She has been the main fixture during Sir Michael’s political journey for close to 50 years and might we add, at her husband‘s bed at the Raffles Hospital in Singapore, and decided on who could visit the grand chief in 2011.
Prime Minister James Marape described Lady Veronica as the country’s fitting first lady, “you were the great grand chief’s dearest friend, companion and soul mate”.
“I pay respect to you on behalf of our people and country. We cannot thank you enough for your steady hands that steadied our grand chief, who in turn was able to steer our country safely to national sovereignty in 1975.”
Sir Michael married Lady Veronica, who hails from Kris Village in the Murik Lakes, in 1965, having courted her in the traditional manner.
He is head of both his own family and his wife’s, who initiated him into their title mindamot two days after his initiation as Sana.
The National in April 6, 2017, published a news report of the late Sir Michael describing Lady Veronica as his friend and guide since they were young.
Apart from bidding farewell to the Parliament House and politics, Sir Michael paid tribute to Lady Veronica, his six children and grandchildren.
“I am blessed with a woman who has been my friend and my guide since we were both young people,” Sir Michael said.
“We have six children who trust us because we built that trust by respecting them as they were growing up.
“We have grandchildren who we think of when we make our private and public decisions. I hope Papua New Guineans will find their own ways to live and trust and care for their family units.
“I tried to do that my whole life and I think my family can be proud of that.”
We had the rare opportunity of spending one full day with Sir Michael and Lady Veronica in September 2004 in Wewak.
To rub shoulder with the first lady was an honour as she kept referring to us during the trip as ‘pikinini’.
Our next stop was to Sir Michael’s home town, Angoram.
After all the formalities, we stopped at a friend of the Somare’s for lunch.
It was smoked fish with nangu (sago) and a lot more local delicacies.
We sat next to Lady Veronica during lunch and heard her making conversation with one of the protocol officers, with Sir Michael joining in the conversation in motu.
We smiled as we heard familiar words such as ranu (water) mentioned.
She noticed our smile and advised she had asked for water for Sir Michael instead of the canned drinks supplied.
It may seem trivial to some but it clearly showwed the great concern she had of her husband.
Back at their home in Wewak, it was obvious she had green fingers as shown by her love for her garden.
It was a short but memorable encounter with the couple and allowed us an insight, albeit a limited one, into how they led their lives, most importantly cared for each other and how all along Lady Veronica stood by her man – every step of the way.