The Maota o Samoa Event Center at Vaitele was the place to be on Thursday night. 

A grand celebration was put together by the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) political party to celebrate another year in the life of their leader, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa II. 

Fiame who turned 64 on Thursday also shares the same birthday as the Head of States, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, who turned 74 on 29 of April.

The auspicious celebration brought together hundreds of supporters and families to celebrate and pay tribute to the service and leadership of the party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame. 

The former Head of States Samoa, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, and his good lady, Filifilia also graced the celebration with their presence with a visit at Maota o Samoa on Thursday evening. 

Tui Atua congratulated Fiame on her birthday and commended her for her courage, bravery to stand up for the people of Samoa. 

Addressing the special guests at the birthday celebration, party founder and deputy leader, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt spoke on behalf of the F.A.S.T. family near and far to wish Fiame a blessed birthday. 

La'auli also used the opportunity to commend Fiame for her service to the country and for being an inspiration to the younger generation. 

He also acknowledged her for her brave and fearless leadership and for standing bold in what she believes is best for the country. 

Finally, La'auli also took the opportunity to remind the gathering to be strong and be hopeful as we await the results of the court cases. 

"God has brought us this far, and he will carry us through any tough battle that awaits us in the future.

"Be strong and let us all keep praying and trust the Lord in all that we do."

Fiame spoke briefly about how blessed she is to have celebrated another year added to her life. 

She thanked everyone who was present to celebrate with her and also those who have been praying and supporting her in Samoa and abroad. 

She made special mention to La'auli and his constituency who presented and gifted her with an ie toga [fine mat] that had the F.A.S.T. name on it. 

Fiame was honored to have received such a valuable gift. 

Away from Maota o Samoa, the caretaker Prime Minister and Fiame's political rival also took his time to send her good wishes on her birthday. 

Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said his birthday greetings during his weekly programme with 2AP on Thursday evening. 

"I saw on the announcement on their Facebook page [F.A.S.T.] earlier today [Thursday]," Tuilaepa said. 

"I was shocked when I saw that announcement because I didn't that it's her birthday. Anyways, I would like to take this opportunity to wish her a happy birthday. 

"I hope she has a very happy birthday and many more days to come. May the Lord continue to add more days to your life so you can continue to serve."

Fiame becoming a leader of a political party is a great achievement, said Tuilaepa. 

Something he admires and is of great importance. 

"I am glad that she is now leading that party and I think it's good that they were able to come up with the results they had after the election. 

"Something that we did not expect would happen, but, as a result of that, we now have what we call a hung parliament. 

"So we have to acknowledge their efforts and hard work and Fiame's leadership. That is very important."

The celebration at Maota o Samoa on Thursday was a double-birthday celebration for Fiame and Tea Peato who turned 81 on Thursday.

Fiame is the daughter of Samoa's first Prime Minister, Mata'afa Mulinu'u II. She entered Samoa's Legislative Assembly in the year 1985.

She became Samoa's female Cabinet Minister and in the year 2016, she became Samoa's female Deputy Prime Minister. 

She had been with the ruling Human Rights Protection Party until September last year when she resigned from Cabinet after making a stance against three bills proposing autonomous changes to Samoa's judiciary that were passed in December last year. 

She was then invited to join the F.A.S.T. party that was established in June of 2020. 

Fiame officially joined F.A.S.T. following the dissolution of Samoa's XVI Parliamentary term and was elected as the party leader.