Veteran political leader, former KwaZulu-Natal MEC Ravi Pillay, will do the high honours on Good Friday, 7 April, when one of Durban’s oldest Hindu temple hands out seven awards to high-achieving individuals at the historic Shri Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe.
The awards ceremony forms part of the colourful programme of religious worship, cultural events, music and small business stalls and sales of goods and food and beverages over the four-day Easter Festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers, visitors and tourists.
Seelan Achary, chairman of the 133-year-old institution, built as one of the first places of worship three decades after the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in Durban in the 1860s, said the organising committee believed that the presence of ANC senior leader, Pillay, would serve as a platform of gratitude to the former anti-apartheid activist’s consistent track record in uniting the diverse religious and cultural groups during his tenure ship as the longest serving MEC in the provincial government in the past 20 years.
‘’While we will be highlighting the contribution of the various high achievers in their contribution in which ordinary people are adjudged doing extraordinary feats, it is time to honour MEC Ravi Pillay for his long-standing support and attendance of this prestige annual awards and his contribution in government,’’ said Achary.
Pillay, resigned as the MEC last year following an ANC election shake-up that brought in a new, more youthful leadership in the provincial hierarchy that has been plagued by internal factional battles and controversies – including the persona non-grata status of controversially axed mayor Zandile Gumede over the R320-million Durban Solid Waste fraud charges and trial she is faced with along with 22 accused.
Pillay, who replaced Nomusa Dube-Ncube, currently the Premier following the Cabinet reshuffle, as the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in 2020, was appointed special advisor to the Premier, until his candidature emerged as the new mayor-elect of the Ugu District Municipality, but the redeployment is subjected to ANC national leadership approval at Luthuli House.
However, Pillay will return to the podium to present the Ammen Awards over the Easter long weekend.
Awardees in the various categories are nominated by the public.
‘’These selfless individuals, who have worked hard to uplift the community, would be recognised for their outstanding work at the 2023 Ammen Awards. Awardees are recognised for dedicated achievements in one of seven categories, promotion of the Hindu religion, Eastern languages, arts and culture, excellence in sport, education, media and socio-economic community upliftment.’’
