The humble beginnings of Bayview local, Brandon Pillay, has paid off tenfold after he was recently awarded with an honorary doctorate in Humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance (GIA) Programme in the USA.
This honorary doctorate also included a Global Humanitarian Award from the Goodwill Ambassador of Corporation for National Volunteer Community Service of Uniting Humanitarians for the UN Embassy. Pillay, who worked his way to becoming a Member of Parliament said he received notification from the US. I am going to be conferred with an honorary doctorate for my community work, which feeds into the larger spectrum of humanitarianism. It came to me as a surprise as I had not expected such an international recognition for the work done over the years.”
The South African Chairperson of GIA, Ambassador Dr Shamila Ramjawan nominated Pillay to receive a scholarship from the GIA University, whose nomination was accepted and doctorate was conferred. Dr Lenora Peterson-Maclin, the goodwill ambassador of the Corporation for National Volunteer Community Service of Uniting Humanitarians for the UN Embassy in the USA, conferred the honorary doctorate upon Pillay. “As the official and certified Global International Alliance and People’s Choice Goodwill Ambassador, it is with great pleasure that I inform you that you have been chosen as one of the honourees to receive the prestigious Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism.” Peterson-Maclin also remarked that Pillay was being recognised for his outstanding service for continuously showing and giving back to his community and around the world by servicing and helping many others in their communities. According to Pillay, he felt humbled to receive recognition of such a calibre.
“I am committed to community upliftment and empowerment, of the realisation of human rights and dignity for all our people, particularly minorities and marginalised groupings. I had never imagined that just helping fellow people, serving communities and being on the ground will be noticeable on an international platform. It is important to go on doing what are you doing and making a difference without expecting anything in return and someday you will reap the fruits of your labour.” In his acceptance comments, Pillay thanked Ramjawan for the accolade and recognition. “I am thankful and grateful to God, my Lord Jesus Christ, my late parents and the community of Bayview for moulding and shaping me. I also wish to thank Dr Shamilla Ramjawan for this accolade and recognition, for without her nomination it would not have been possible, I also wish to thank the Global International Alliance and Ambassador Dr Lenora Peterson for this award.” Saydoon Nisa Sayed, Southern Africa regional representative to the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum, commended Pillay on this prestigious accolade as well. “Brandon has done well in consistently and exceptionally being a champion of the less fortunate, of interfaith harmony and in the protection of the poor, this honorary doctorate awarded upon him comes as no surprise.”
