Mata'afa Iosefo

Biography:

Mata'afa Iosefo was a Paramount Chief of Samoa who was one of the three rival candidates for the kingship of Samoa during colonialism. He was also referred to as Tupua Malietoa To'oa Mata'afa Iosefo. The matai chiefly title Mata'afa is one of four highest titles in Samoa. From the late 19th century Iosefo played a pivotal role during the country's colonial era when Germany Great Britain and the United States were vying for control of the Samoa Islands.