Advocate Lavan Gopaul, Fawzia Meer, Vishnu Naidoo and Dr Kogie Archary authored The Unsung Heroes, which pays tribute to the many people who made a difference in shaping KwaZulu-Natal.
A new book, The Unsung Heroes, pays tribute to the men and women who quietly contributed to building society.
The book is authored by Fawzia Meer, Dr Kogie Archary, Advocate Lavan Gopaul and Vishnu Naidoo.
The writers focused on people including Jaising Singh, Professor Hoosen (Jerry) Coovadia, Safura Khan, Colonel Kacey Naicker, Dr Nanda Soobben, Fathima Khan Gaibie and Kubashnee Perumal - for volume one of the book.
At the launch, held at Orient Hall in Durban, Ms Peer said during her time as deputy mayor of Durban, she found many people who were willing to get involved and help in any way they could. Many of them did so quietly and didn’t want any recognition for their work. She said this inspired the idea for the book, which will have a second volume.
“The objective of this book is to honour the voluntary service rendered by these people and their commitment. There were many who we approached to be acknowledged in the book, but they declined and didn’t want the recognition. They did it out of the kindness of the heart and in selfless service. The unsung heroes mentioned in the book have been taking their communities to great heights,” said Ms Peer.
Dr Archary, a research associate at Unisa, said the book is aimed at educating readers of the positive impact these people have made over the years.
“These unsung heroes changed the circumstances of others, not expecting any financial, material or obligatory returns. Serving society, changing the kaleidoscope of hundreds of communities from Port Shepstone to Zululand, the inland settlement of Pietermaritzburg and the beautiful, majestic Durban with her surrounding apartheid-constructed townships of Phoenix and Chatsworth; the unsung heroes have worked tirelessly,” said Dr Archary.
These men and women have touched communities that include Westville, Newcastle, Stanger, Gillits, Escourt, Verulam, Tongaat, Bluff, Howick, Umkumbane, Springfield, Clairwood, Yellow Wood Park, Malvern, Mobeni Height, Newcastle, Shallcross, Vryheid, Effingham, Avoca, Malagazi, Umhlanga, Isipingo, Hammarsdale and many more areas throughout KZN.
The book touches on contributions made by political activists and liberation stalwarts, cuisine and confectionery experts, organisers and administrators, educators and researchers, sporting greats, artists, musicians and cultural carriers, photographers, fashion designers and hair stylists, doctors, welfare patrons, the blind, deaf and nursing staff, journalists, broadcasters and writers, moulanas, pundits, swamis, priests and preachers, advocates, attorneys, judges and legal persons, as well as artisans, postmasters, entrepreneurs and many more.