Remembering Ashwin Trikamjee: a champion of human rights in South Africa

South African stalwart Ashwin Trikamjee played his part for human rights in South Africa, a close colleague said at his funeral held at Clare Estate Crematorium Society in Durban on Saturday. 

Tributes poured in for Trikamjee, 80, who wore many hats during his career spanning football administration, religion and law.

According to Yvonne Boden, the CEO of Garlicke & Bousfield, when Trikamjee was admitted as an attorney on April 23, 1974, he took the oath of office and vowed to be loyal to the Republic of South Africa.

He spent 51 years honouring that oath with intense discipline and unwavering determination. In the pledge, he also promised to be faithful to the people of South Africa and its future, and not the government of the day. Nothing deterred Trikamjee in his pursuit of a South Africa in which discrimination of any form was absent and in which human rights were sacrosanct.

He leaves the country a better off place than it was then. He was a champion of human rights and equality on human rights day, added Boden.

Trikamjee, was also the chairperson of the SABC Pension Fund for the past 20 years.

Anthony Williams, Principal Officer: SABC Pension Fund, said: “Ashwin will always be remembered for being firm, yet fair; calm in a crisis, and with a unique ability to identify the issue at hand. He would always promote honest, open discussion and reach a solution acceptable to all.”

Williams, like others, described Trikamjee as a remarkable leader whose wisdom, integrity, dedication, and commitment left an indelible mark.

Businessman Vivian Reddy said Trikamjee was more than a friend.

“He was a man of integrity, a devoted father, and a true servant of the community. His wisdom and kindness were a guiding light, and his loss is immeasurable,” Reddy said.

Trikamjee was also the head of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha. He contributed to the profession in a number of crucial roles, holding positions that included president of the Natal Law Society (as it was then), vice president and president of the Association of Law Societies of SA, chairperson of the African Regional Forum of the International Bar Association, and member of the Human Rights Committee of the International Bar Association.

Durban resident Krishna Kumar described Trikamjee as civil and almost sacred about what he did.

“He did things out of pure love, according to the book, and did not ask for favours in return. He carried himself with decorum and respect and was very spiritual at the same time. He did a multitude of things but still made time for hobbies like the collection of cars. He had charisma and was a role model to many,” Kumar said.

Close friend and squash player, Jay Alwar, shared the courts with him for 46 years. They played squash thrice a week.

“We played in various venues in Durban. We laughed in abundance and the language we spoke at squash was different to that of the court room. He could be humble and at the same time stern. We spoke about everything in the world.”

In Durban's Curries Fountain, during the height of local federation football, Robin Sewlal, an advocate, claimed to have encountered Trikamjee.

Sewlal was an staunch supporter of Berea FC.

According to him, Trikamjee recently recorded a documentary with Supersport that will air soon. Trikamjee was also a referee, he added.

“I interacted with him from a legal perspective. He was always humble and enabling. I persuaded him to speak at a function at Durban University of Technology on freedom of expression some time ago. His depth of knowledge was immense. His activism goes back decades. He was also remembered for being with the Black Conscious movement with Saths Cooper. He contributed to the transformation of this country.”

Trikamjee made a significant contribution to the team in the Curries Fountain Heritage Preservation Foundation's efforts to declare Curries Fountain as an Iconic Heritage Centre. According to the Foundation, it will miss his wise counsel, pragmatic advice, and unwavering support.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za