As Papua New Guinea prepares to mark 50 years of independence, the legacy of Sir Pita Lus (1936–2021) emerges from the shadows – a founding father whose audacity and vision helped birth a nation. His journey began not in halls of power, but in the humid plantations of colonial New Guinea, where he labored as a worker. This firsthand understanding of injustice fueled his resolve. When his mother, a German missionary, urged him toward politics, Lus answered the call with characteristic zeal.
The Kingmaker
Lus’s most profound contribution came through his mentorship of Sir Michael Somare. In 1964, encountering a young Somare doubting his political future, Lus made a declaration that changed history: "I will campaign for you. You will win. PNG has to gain independence." True to his word, Lus traversed the Sepik Highway on a motorbike, sleeping roadside to rally support. His grassroots campaign secured Somare’s 1968 election, catapulting the future "Father of the Nation" into leadership.
The Birthday That Became Independence Day
When PNG’s founders debated their sovereignty date, Lus silenced the room with a table-slap and a bold claim: "Let me pick the date!" He chose September 16, 1975 – revealing only afterward it was his birthday. This act of symbolic sacrifice cemented the nation’s birthdate, intertwining his personal story with PNG’s collective destiny.
Parliament’s Thunderous Voice
In the halls of power, Lus became legendary for his passionate oratory. He debated with a traditional zulu bag by his side, his booming voice and animated gestures commanding attention. Once, during a heated parliamentary moment, he accidentally elbowed Somare, later quipping: "You were wrong to get in the way!" Beyond the theatrics, he consistently championed economic self-reliance, warning against new forms of colonial dependence.
The Final Blessing
Decades after independence, Lus emerged as PNG’s moral compass. At his emotional 2023 farewell in Maprik, thousands witnessed his final public plea: "We didn’t get Independence for you to fight each other... Turn back to God, who remains our father of this Nation. Stop the tribal fights!" Raising his hands in blessing, he implored citizens to honor independence through unity – a sermon that echoed across a divided nation.
Cementing a Legacy
Though less celebrated than Somare in his lifetime, Lus’s legacy now finds tangible form:
- Maprik District Hospital will bear his name as the Sir Pita Lus Memorial Hospital
- The Sir Pita Lus Foundation, funded with K1.1 million, will educate Maprik’s youth
- Plans advance for a Sir Pita Lus School of Excellence, championed by senior leaders as essential for preserving his ideals
The Unfinished Journey
Sir Pita Lus gifted PNG more than independence – he modeled fierce integrity and sacrificial leadership. From plantation laborer to nation-builder, his life whispers a challenge: True sovereignty is measured not in flags raised, but in justice sustained. As hospitals and schools rise in his name, may PNG heed his final warning: "We overcame battles so you could live free. Do not waste it." In this 50th year, Lus’s thunderous voice still calls a nation back to its founding purpose.