OBITUARY: BY MARLAN PADAYACHEE
‘’The electronic vaccination data system (EVDS) has been developed with the purpose of ensuring South Africa lays a digital health foundation.’’ – Dr Zweli Mkhize, SA’s Health Minister, a medical doctor who has worked tirelessly on the frontline of combating coronavirus since March 2020.
As the world recorded a milestone of 111,6-million (and counting) confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 2,47-million have died of Covid-19, and there have been 62,6-million recoveries since the deadliest disease outbreak in Wuhan, China, a year ago, South Africa rolled out its first, significant batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccines. This is after a controversial glitch of the under-strength Made-in-India Astra-Zeneca one-million doses; and also revealed at the weekend that the SANDF spent R200-million a “Covid’’ vaccine the defence force cannot use – apparently over fears of biological warfare. Worldwide 200-million jabs were administered.
Arguably, the world’s barometer, the USA, surpassed the 500 000 death-toll. At home, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize confirmed SA has secured an additional 20-million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer. The vaccines were administered amidst feelings of high hope and anxiety: In Cape town a nurse gave the first, history-making jab to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Khayelitsha District Hospital: “I feel very proud and honoured,’’ exclaimed Sister Milanie Bennett. However, as more and more people succumb to Covid-19 and non-virus deaths, SA continues to edge ominously towards its 50 000 death-rate mark, currently standing at 48 000 and 1,5-million infections. Within the context of Covid-19 years, these deaths will remain unforgotten.
We salute these fallen change-makers, visionaries, frontline workers and ordinary people:
RAJEN REDDY (9.5.1962-18.2.2021): When leading entrepreneur and cultural philanthropist, Rajendran Reddy, of La Lucia, who died aged 68 of a heart condition at the Gateway Hospital on Thursday, addressed the International Tamil Conference at the Coastlands Hotel – a gathering of delegates from 20 countries to highlight the plight of Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans after a 25-year-old brutal and bloody internecine war on the island off India’s southern flank, he left his audience clueless about his behind-the-scenes role as the major sponsor of this not-for-profit indaba. Instead, speaking in the presence of Geoff Doidge, SA’s high commissioner to Colombo during the final years of the militarized crackdown on the resilient Tamil Tigers guerilla movement led by Velupillai Prabhakaran, Reddy spoke of his cultural contribution. “I recall his sense of gratitude of having made it big as a businessman. He told the dinner delegates and guests that he was never involved in politics and, however, had benefited from South Africa’s new democracy and how the ANC’s black economic empowerment policy had benefited his business.”
After a delegation briefed Reddy of the conference, he agreed to contribute R250 000. Dees Pillay, one of the four-member local organizing committee that included KZN MEC Ravi Pillay, recalled: “After 30 minutes of enlightening him on atrocities that was and is committed by the Sinhalese government against the Tamil minority, Reddy agreed to fund the conference… we agreed that he would pay the service providers directly and he honoured every payment. Rajen Reddy reached out to our communities and asked for nothing in return.”
From launching his first petrol station in 1990, Reddy did not look back on his business capacity. He bought a historic and landmark site, the Coronation Brick and Tile (Corobrik) factory in Briardene, where he put KZN Oils (Pty) Limited up in lights. Several years later, he established a mega factory and warehouse at the strategic entrance to North Coast Road, Umgeni Road: this became his flagship that turned him into one of the most prominent corporate leaders in the petroleum industry and a big job creator for 200 employees. From humble beginnings, he built a petroleum, fuel and lubricants industry empire, owning 30 petrol stations at the time of his demise – with KZN Oils supplying petroleum products to Transet ports, Anglo American and De Beers mines, distributed the Chevron and Caltex fuel brands.
Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, MEC PIllay, added his voice to the tributes: “He will be remembered as a true pioneer, a patriot, astute entrepreneur and champion of black economic empowerment.” As a recipient of business awards from the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CEO Palesa Phili described the entrepreneur’s death as a major loss to Durban and KZN. If Vivian Reddy is to big-time electrical infrastructure construction to what Rajen Reddy was to the oil and petroleum sector, both these Reddys were always ready to do big business: “The tragedy of Rajen Reddy’s death is also a tragedy for SA and the world. His business went beyond international boundaries.’” He said Reddy gave new meaning to Nelson Mandela’s mantra of turning adversity into advantage.
In a touching moment on Lotus FM’s listener high-hit-rate Tamil show on Friday, popular presenter Mala Lutchmanan, speaking in the vernacular language, paid a moving tribute and followed up with a devotional song in memory of the philanthropist. Independent On Line (IOL) broke the news of Reddy’s death, and messages and condolences on WhatsApp and Facebook lit up the social media platforms with the news that one of the doyens of Durban had lost his month-long battle to live, saying Reddy “died after being gravely ill and hospitalised for a month in ICU”. However, his widow, Esayvanie Reddy, confirmed her husband of 37 years had died of a heart condition and not Covid-19: “He will always be the love of my life. I have been married to Rajen for 37 years and I have known him for 44 years because we were in school together.” Reddy’s body lay in state at the Sharks Board in Umhlanga Ridge before his journey’s end to the Clare Estate Crematorium on Sunday.
BHANWANTIE LUTCHMAN: Behind every successful man is a woman … as the adage goes. Bhanwantie Lutchman, who died last week, must have given her husband, Ramhori Lutchman, ample time to pursue and promote his passion for non-racial sports as an astute administrator at the Durban (Indian) Sports Ground Association and at Currie’s Fountain.
Hamba Kahle, (go well, farewell in isiZulu) comrades, compatriots and citizens – MARLAN PADAYACHEE
